Sandra Culi, a 44-year-old veterinarian and animal lover, disappeared in Vilassar de Mar, near Barcelona, on December 26, 2019. After a family dinner at her mother-in-law’s home during Sant Esteve, she left for a walk alone, without her phone. She asked to put the nougat away and set out at about five in the afternoon. By eight, alarm bells began; by nine, she had not returned. The case remains open.
An animal enthusiast who cared deeply for her dogs, Sandra is described as a devoted professional who had previously trained as a veterinarian. She was last seen with a Dalmatian she had owned for years. The status remains OPEN.
The night she disappeared, her husband and her mother-in-law went to the police. Friends and family note that initial inquiries may have overlooked some details. Transactions and phone activity were reviewed weeks later, but early missteps are acknowledged by those who knew her. Two days after she vanished, tensions briefly escalated. A few days passed without new leads, and the search gradually tapered off. Mossos d’Esquadra suggested that Sandra may have taken her own life, though her circle disagrees with that conclusion. Her chosen family, Mireia, Carles, and another friend named Sandra, continue the search as CASO ABIERTO, convinced that Sandra still belongs in their lives.
the last words
Carles reflects on the final communication: a call on the 25th that went unanswered, followed by a message saying they were packing for Vilassar. He recalls that there were replies, and saved messages hint at plans that never came to pass. Nothing felt like a goodbye, and the word talk appeared just the day before the disappearance.
Mireia recalls the Christmas days with the family and the typical Sant Esteve bustle. They often cooked for friends, a tradition halted by the year that brought Covid constraints. She had planned a walk for December 27 to lay the nougat aside before dinner, but Sandra never appeared. The alert sounded on December 27, revealing that Sandra was missing and that her partner, Jordi, spoke of Sandra crying. Carles reached out to Mireia and others, who coordinated with Sandra, the mutual friend who helped organize everything. The group felt the weight of the moment as reality sank in. Nobody could accept that Sandra was gone.
After lunch with Sandra, her mother-in-law, and Jordi in Vilassar de Mar, Sandra went for a walk as she had done many times before. Hours passed and she did not return. Officials urged calm and suggested waiting a full day before escalating concerns further.
“There was no family dispute or any incidents,”
The morning brought a description: a woman with a slender build, approximately 1.68 meters tall and around 50 kilograms, with long straight blonde hair. She left the house at five in the afternoon wearing pants, anorak, scarf, and black sneakers, carrying a fluorescent green backpack. The car remained parked where it had been, and she was not found at home, in Terrassa, Manresa, or other properties. A representative stated again that there was no known family dispute or incident, and Sandra had left that day because Jordi was unwell and could not walk. Mireia recalled that Sandra did not have her phone that day, a plausible detail given the circumstances. The investigation began in earnest.
Hundreds of volunteers joined the effort within hours. An emergency committee formed, and social media was used to drum up help. A large volunteer force searched the town along the coast and its outskirts, following Sandra’s usual routes. Carles coordinated the operations from behind a phone, while Sandra, Mireia, and the rest of the team traced every street and shoreline in hopes of a clue.
The Mossos d’Esquadra reviewed security footage and confirmed that Sandra had left the house at five o’clock, but the footage did not reveal further movements. Cameras near the harbor and yacht club recorded nothing after that moment, and no trains were used. The community pressed on, hopeful that something would turn up as neighbors watched and searched every possible lead.
a cry on the mountain
Days turned into a drawn-out search along Vilassar’s sea edge. When progress stalled, the group shifted focus to higher ground and inland locales. The mountain zone, dubbed La Pedrera, became a focal point as volunteers scanned cliffs and trails with renewed urgency. Some wondered if Sandra had ventured into tougher terrain or if someone might have taken her there. The effort stretched on with a growing sense of fatigue but with resolve intact.
A distant cry or perhaps the echo of a desperate voice was heard at a quarry along the walk routes. Some volunteers believed the sound could be connected to Sandra, while others worried it was only noise in a frightful moment. The team paused to listen, but no definitive answer emerged. As days passed, the search moved to professionals and dogs, but the larger team remained ready to act if new information appeared.
Firefighters joined a broader sweep that spanned nine kilometers, guided by dogs and trained personnel. The search, though rigorous, did not yield conclusive results. The team persisted, aided by a sense of shared duty and the stubborn hope that Sandra would surface.
“Search Elsewhere”
After Christmas had faded, a harsh call arrived in early January. The lead suggested Sandra might have taken her own life. Jordi, her husband, believed the police hypothesis lacked certainty and pointed to broader questions about Sandra’s state of mind. Two weeks after the disappearance, access to her phone provided limited clues, including evidence that could trace her attempts to reach for help. The family remained skeptical, insisting Sandra would not have abandoned her life in such a sudden and silent way.
Mireia insists Sandra did not exhibit the behavior of someone who desired to leave everyone behind. She speaks of plans and a future she believed in, including work and personal milestones that Sandra valued. Weather and terrain offered plausible explanations but did not erase the pain or the unanswered questions that lingered for those who knew her best.
Sandra’s life highlighted a love for veterinary work, animals, and a zest for social life. She enjoyed urban living, music, dancing, and cooking with friends. Her chosen family—Carles, Mireia, and Sandra—remembered her as someone who embraced activity, curiosity, and vibrant social bonds. They describe her as someone who thrived on movement, museum visits, and a readiness to experience life beyond the confines of home.
Despite the exhaustive search and the official hypothesis, the family refuses to accept the finality of Sandra’s disappearance. They hold on to the belief that answers remain somewhere in the town of Vilassar, in the memories they shared, and in the still-living hope that Sandra will be found. The core group continues to persevere, united in their quest for clarity and closure.