In the spring of 2014, a trip to Panama turned into a tragedy that continues to disturb and puzzle the world. Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon, two young women from the Netherlands, set off on what was meant to be a rewarding and cultural experience abroad. Instead, their disappearance — and the fragments they left behind would ignite years of speculation and heartbreak.
A Dream Adventure Begins
Kris Kremers, 21, and Lisanne Froon, 22, arrived in Panama in mid-March 2014. Full of excitement, they had saved for months and carefully planned their trip. Their goal was not just tourism; they hoped to improve their Spanish and volunteer with local children in the town of Boquete, nestled near the Panamanian highlands.
The two had recently moved in together in Amersfoort, Netherlands, and were known to be adventurous but responsible. Kris had studied cultural social education in Utrecht, while Lisanne had just earned a degree in applied psychology.
On April 1, 2014, just a few days into their stay in Boquete, the pair decided to hike the popular El Pianista trail — a scenic route offering panoramic views of the jungle and surrounding mountains. Wearing light clothing suitable for a short day trek, and carrying a small backpack with essentials like a phone, camera, and a water bottle, they told their host family they’d return before nightfall.
But they never did.
A Vanishing in the Jungle
When the host family’s dog returned alone that evening, concern grew. The following day, the missing girls were reported to the authorities. A major search operation began, including helicopters, dogs, and local volunteers. Even their families flew from the Netherlands to assist.
Despite the massive effort, the trail offered no answers. Days turned into weeks, then months — with no sign of the girls.
Then, nearly two months later, a local woman made a disturbing discovery near a river: a blue backpack. Inside were personal items including both women’s phones, sunglasses, cash, Lisanne’s passport, and a digital camera.
But the real clues were hidden in the data.
Unanswered Calls and a Silent Phone
Both phones had logged dozens of attempts to call emergency services — 77 in total. The first attempts were made just hours after the hike began, suggesting that something had gone wrong almost immediately. However, due to poor signal in the jungle, none of the calls were successful — except for one, which lasted only a second before dropping.
What raised more questions were the failed attempts to unlock one of the phones starting several days later — as if someone, perhaps panicked or disoriented, tried again and again using the wrong PIN code. The phone was never unlocked again.
By April 11, both devices had gone silent.
The Camera’s Terrifying Trail
The digital camera in the backpack offered another window into the unfolding tragedy. Early photos from April 1 show the two friends smiling on their hike — snapshots of a typical travel adventure.
But the mood shifts abruptly in the camera’s later images.
In the early morning hours of April 8, over 90 photos were taken within a few hours — all in near-total darkness. The scenes are disturbing: random items laid out on rocks, plastic wrappings, strange piles of dirt, and eerie close-ups of foliage and surroundings. Among them is a haunting close-up of what appears to be part of Kris Kremers’ hair and head — partially obscured, yet unmistakably human.
Why these photos were taken — and by whom — remains unclear.
Remains and Unanswered Questions
In the weeks that followed the discovery of the backpack, small human remains were found scattered along the riverbanks. Some bones belonged to Lisanne, others to Kris. Forensic analysis confirmed the identities, but couldn’t determine exactly how they died. One of Kris’s bones appeared to have been unnaturally bleached — adding another layer of mystery to the case.
Despite years of investigation by Panamanian authorities, Dutch forensics teams, and independent researchers, there is still no definitive answer to what happened in that jungle. Theories range from an accident — like a fall or injury — to foul play, or even something more sinister.
A Legacy of Questions
The story of Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon is a stark reminder of how quickly an adventure can take a tragic turn. Their final photos, especially those taken at night, have stirred fear and fascination across the world. They are now known not just for their disappearance, but for the haunting evidence they unknowingly left behind.
Though their journey ended far from home, their memory continues to inspire caution, respect for nature, and empathy for the unknown.