Athletic build, brown hair, 1.58 m tall. A 32-year-old man, Pablo Lloret Martin, better known as Pablito, has captured attention after a mysterious disappearance. Early in his career he earned the nickname ‘El Bola’ because of his striking resemblance to the actor Juan José Ballesta, a comparison that followed him for years.
His trail went cold near the Alicante bus stop close to the port on April 13. He did not signal or reach out to anyone, and his phone has not been answered since. His sister, Cynthia, shared with CASO ABIERTO, an investigative portal, that she had considered stepping back but chose to continue pressing forward.
A music lover who also appreciated poetry and rap, Pablo did not seem to be at his best. His sister notes that writing and composing remained his true passions, even when his professional work came and went.
A month ago
“I last spoke to him on April 12”, Cynthia recalls. “That night he told me he planned to visit Valencia the next day and might stop by my house. He said he wanted to take a break for a while. He had issues with his ex-girlfriend and maybe an ongoing lawsuit, and he was dealing with an addiction problem.”
That evening he came, packed a suitcase, showered, and left with a promise to call. Cynthia met him and learned he had spoken of a detox center where he might find work planting basil. He did not say he would call the next day. He left with that unsettled feeling they often get when a loved one heads out without a clear plan.
Thursday slid into Friday, and the expectation of a call lingered. A dog-walker who planned to feed a dog on Sunday returned with questions about Pablo. No one could reach him; his phone appeared off, and doubts began to mount. He had mentioned not wanting to leave Cleo, his four-year-old dog, behind, which only deepened the mystery.
Pablo’s dog Cleo had become a constant companion, a detail that family members treated as more than a pet. The dog’s status shifted to a matter of ongoing concern as police and family traced the events surrounding the disappearance.
A rope and a palm tree
Cynthia explains that her brother never abandoned Cleo and was not the type to disappear without a trace. There was speculation about his whereabouts, including the possibility of hospital or prison involvement, but nothing conclusive surfaced.
Police, hopeful for any lead, checked with guards and hospitals and reviewed arrest records. Cleo’s presence pointed toward a potential location or situation, but the evidence did not confirm Pablo’s exact whereabouts. The dog was found tied near a palm tree in the port area, adjacent to the bus station, a discovery that raised more questions than answers.
Cynthia collected Cleo and walked through the station area, seeking signs of Pablo. The dog seemed aware of a familiar routine, reacting to the environment as if waiting for a company that was no longer there. The search intensified as alarms rose about Pablo’s absence.
Your luggage, clothes and ID
The investigation looked into Pablo’s belongings. The police contacted hospitals and reviewed his arrest records but found nothing linking him to a specific location. Items were recovered from near the loading area of the port quay, including a suitcase, a backpack, clothes, tobacco, and a wallet, along with his I.D. documents. No sign of him was found among these items.
Record checks for the station and port footage were hampered by delays and eventual data deletion. Searches involving dogs, drones, underwater divers, and other methods yielded no definitive results. A pawn transaction revealed a gold ring that Pablo had carried for years—he had exchanged it for around 150 euros, leaving his wallet and the rest of his money a mystery. Attested accounts suggest there was a small amount of cash remaining in his belongings, but the full amount could not be determined.
Pawned the ring
In reflection, family members questioned the possibility of leaving without resources. The ring, a symbol Pablo never parted with, had been pawned, and the associated funds were small. The uncertainty around his identity and documents complicated any plan for entering a detox center or seeking help. Thoughts linger about what might have happened and why Pablo chose to vanish as he did.
Authorities do not rule out any theory and continue to pursue leads. The possibility of suicide was discussed, yet the disposition of Cleo and the dog’s condition did not align with that scenario. The unsettling scene suggested someone forced, not willingly relinquishing the dog, and the motive behind such actions remains unclear.
Despite the ongoing search, Pablo’s sister notes that leaving Cleo behind would have been unthinkable. Pablo reportedly slept on the streets at times rather than parting from his canine companion, choosing to stay as a pair rather than be separated from Cleo.
“They called us saying they thought they saw him in Murcia, Galicia, Benidorm… but there was no way to confirm that”
The investigation continues, with phone records offering only limited traceability. One prepaid line connected to Pablo used the night before his disappearance was turned off, and the other line was likewise inactive. The family shares updated photographs, revisits their last steps, and visits places where rings or other items were pawned, hoping for a sign. Sightings in several regions were reported but could not be verified, leaving a trail that remains cold. The family reflects on Salman and Swedish experiences that may have influenced Pablo’s choices, including the pandemic’s destabilizing impact on many lives. Cleo remains a touchstone for the family, a reminder of the bond they shared. The flamenco cajón Pablo played sits silent, a symbol of a life paused and a check against hope that someday he will be found.