Where is Fran? That question haunts the family of Francisco Ausina Román, a 41-year-old man from Alzira who vanished after a car crash last Thursday. What was found at the scene, including some clothing, has only deepened the uncertainty. Last night, relatives gathered outside the town hall to demand a thorough search of the Xúquer River, and hundreds joined them. The National Police are pursuing several lines of inquiry as the investigation unfolds.
The initial line of inquiry considered the possibility that Fran might have left voluntarily. He worked at a central butcher shop and kept up with regular gym sessions. He disappeared on Thursday night after a minor car accident near the Rotonda de les Fulles, at the city’s northern edge, colliding with another vehicle. Municipal sources indicate that multiple witnesses saw him leave the scene on foot, abandoning the car and his belongings. But there was also talk of a prior disagreement and a potential conflict between the two parties, suggesting factors beyond a simple escape.
Fran’s family reported the sudden disappearance on Friday and have since searched for any sign of him, unsure what could have driven him away. Over the weekend and into Monday, searches extended along the river, through agricultural areas, and into several towns connected to Alzira by rail. National and local police, Civil Protection volunteers, the Civil Guard, acquaintances, and even kayakers have joined the effort to locate him in recent days.
The only physical discovery so far offers more questions than answers. A number of clothing items, allegedly belonging to Fran, were found near the river by the fairgrounds, roughly one kilometer from the accident site on Thursday night. Local sources say the items were dry at the time they were located. Around 200 people attended the evolving search, including friends and neighbors who joined the effort on Sunday at a location previously checked, despite rain earlier in the day. Aerial Media Service drones were deployed on Monday to intensify the search, but no new clues about Fran’s whereabouts or the incident emerged.
Tonight the family attended a rally calling for more official resources to locate Fran quickly. The spokeswoman said the days keep passing without news and that the family simply wants to know where Fran is. We have done what we can with our own means, and professional help is needed to conduct a more thorough search, especially along the river where the trail went cold. So far there is no further information, said Alba Ausina. Fran’s brother-in-law, Carlos Valiente, added that while they appreciate the support, there is little more they can do. The family is determined to find Fran and long for a clear answer that would bring them peace. [Citation: Local News Agency]