The Álvarez Barbosa family saw their world change forever on July 13, 2021. On that day, Raquel and Ana last laid eyes on their mother, Manuela Barbosa Sousa, who was 66 years old at the time and has been missing ever since. The last confirmed move was to the town of Arcade, in Pontevedra, and no new information has surfaced about her whereabouts or what might have happened to her.
“The entire family faces a heavy burden every day. For two years they have lived with uncertainty and despair, never a closed conclusion. There are endless questions about what happened and why the answers stay hidden. It is far from easy, but they have learned to live with the hope that remains, even if it is small,” explains Raquel Álvarez Barbosa, the daughter of Manuela.
The disappearance triggered a large community effort in Redondela and Soutomaior. In the initial weeks, residents joined searches across surrounding mountains and along the Verdugo River, coordinated by the Civil Guards, the National Police, and Civil Defense. As time passed without results, organizers considered extending the search to neighboring towns such as Redondela, Pontevedra, Vigo, and Marín, including shelters and soup kitchens, though no clues emerged to point to Manuela’s location.
For months, posters bearing Manuela’s image were displayed widely across the region in an effort to aid recognition. Despite the persistent visibility of her photo, no concrete lead has been found to determine her fate or to indicate where she might be.
Throughout this period, the National Police have pursued multiple investigative avenues to resolve the case. An ongoing investigation has faced pauses and new inquiries, as families and authorities revisit potential lines of inquiry. Raquel recounts how she learned of similar cases on television and reminded authorities of her mother’s case, asking for renewed attention and transparency. She emphasized the importance of obtaining lists of people who were present in the area, acknowledging the privacy challenges but underscoring their critical role in clearing the case. The family holds onto a cautious hope, even as there are no indications that the disappearance was voluntary.
Manuela Barbosa Sousa remains a symbol of a missing person case that continues to haunt a community. The family clings to the possibility of new information surfacing that could lead to answers and closure after two long years.
On social media and in local discussions, the case has continued to draw attention, with campaigns and messages urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in the search for Manuela. Public interest remains high, and supporters advocate for renewed investigative focus to bring resolution to the family’s long wait for answers.
SOS Alert Missing
In response to ongoing concern, the SOS Disappeared Association maintains the alert at a national level in case new information emerges. The association invites anyone who recognizes Manuela or holds credible clues to contact authorities or the organization for possible leads that could reopen or advance the investigation. Community members are encouraged to share information responsibly, respecting privacy while prioritizing the family’s need for resolution. This collective effort reflects a broader commitment to supporting families facing disappearances and ensuring that no case goes cold without thorough review.