A Man Stuck Behind A Fridge For 10 Years!
In 2019, a startling discovery was made in the small town of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Contractors working at a closed-down supermarket found human remains behind a freezer. These remains were later identified as those of Larry Ely Murillo-Moncada, a 25-year-old man who had been missing for a decade. The tragic story of how Larry disappeared and what led to his death is unsettling. It raised many questions about how something so horrifying could have gone unnoticed for so long.
Details of the Disappearance
Larry’s last moments before his disappearance were troubling. After an argument at home, he ran out into a snowstorm, barefoot and reportedly hallucinating. His parents, worried for his safety, quickly reported him missing, but despite their efforts and a police investigation, no trace of Larry was found. The harsh winter conditions and Larry’s state of mind added to the challenges in locating him. The case went cold, and Larry’s fate remained unknown for years.
The Discovery of His Remains
The No Frills Supermarket, where Larry worked, had closed down in 2016. Three years later, in 2019, workers began removing shelves and freezers from the abandoned store. It was during this process that they discovered human remains in an 18-inch gap between a freezer and the wall.
The remains were in a decomposed state, and the workers immediately contacted the authorities. Council Bluffs Police Sgt. Brandon Danielson recalled that Larry came to mind as soon as he heard about the discovery. The body was sent for DNA testing, which confirmed that the remains were indeed those of Larry Ely Murillo-Moncada.
Identification and Investigation
The identification of Larry’s remains was confirmed through DNA testing, which matched samples taken from his parents. The autopsy showed no signs of trauma, leading investigators to conclude that his death was accidental. There was no evidence of foul play, and the tragic circumstances of Larry’s death became clear—he had likely fallen into the narrow space behind the freezer and was unable to escape.
How Did Larry Get Stuck?
At the No Frills Supermarket, it was common for employees to climb on top of the freezers to access storage areas. Larry, like other workers, likely climbed up there for this reason. However, at some point, he must have lost his footing and slipped into the 18-inch gap between the freezer and the wall.
The freezer was about 12 feet tall, and once Larry fell, he was trapped. Authorities believe that his attempts to call for help are highly likely drowned out by the noise of the cooling unit. The conditions behind the freezer—limited air and extreme cold—made survival impossible.
Stuck Behind Fridge For Ten Years 😨 pic.twitter.com/AAcxVd9xCq
— Zack D. Films (@zackdfilms1) August 11, 2024
The Store’s Operation Despite the Tragedy
What makes this story even more unsettling is that the supermarket continued to operate for seven years while Larry’s body was hidden behind the freezer. During that time, countless customers and employees were in the store, unaware of the tragic situation unfolding just feet away. The inaccessibility of the area behind the freezer and the store’s layout contributed to the body remaining undetected for so long. It wasn’t until the store was being dismantled that the grim discovery was made.
The Public’s Reaction
The discovery of Larry’s remains shocked and horrified the community. Many customers who had shopped at the store during those years recalled noticing an unpleasant smell, particularly near the coolers. One customer remarked, “I shopped there all the time, and it smelled horrible!” Another said, “We went there once, and the smell was so strong back there by the coolers that it made me sick; I had to leave.” These comments highlight the disturbing fact that something was wrong, but the true cause was not discovered until years later.
Some people expressed disbelief and skepticism about how such a tragedy could have occurred without anyone noticing for so long. People raised questions even about the store’s hygiene and the duration of the decomposition process.
Conclusion
The tragic story of Larry Ely Murillo-Moncada’s disappearance and the eventual discovery of his remains is a sobering reminder of how easily something horrific can go unnoticed. Larry’s death was a tragic accident, one that went undiscovered for ten years, despite being in a place where many people worked and shopped. This story underscores the importance of safety, awareness, and compassion in our daily lives.
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