In a heartwarming twist to a decades-long mystery, Luis Armando Albino, a California boy abducted in 1951, has been found safe on the East Coast after 70 years of separation from his family. Luis, now a retired firefighter and Vietnam War veteran, was taken from an Oakland park at the age of 6, leaving his family searching for answers for decades. It wasn’t until a DNA test in 2020, taken by his niece Alida Alequin, that the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, leading to an emotional reunion earlier this summer.
Luis’ disappearance occurred when a woman, who approached him speaking Spanish and promising candy, led him away while his older brother, Roger, was nearby. Despite multiple search efforts, which included investigating nearby waterways and interrogating Roger, no trace of Luis was ever found. His family, though devastated, never gave up hope. For 70 years, they kept Luis’ memory alive, holding onto photos and hoping for a miracle.
That miracle came when Alida’s DNA test showed a match with a stranger, who was later confirmed to be Luis. Her initial attempts to reach him were unsuccessful, but with renewed effort in 2024, Alida began poring through archives, unearthing old newspaper articles that detailed the search for her uncle. Armed with new evidence, the family presented their findings to authorities, reopening the missing person’s case.
A second DNA test, this time comparing Luis with Alida’s mother, confirmed the match, and on June 20, 2024, the family received the long-awaited news. Luis had been found. Four days later, on June 24, Luis reunited with Alida and the rest of his family in California. Their reunion was filled with emotion, hugs, and tears as Luis expressed gratitude for being found after all these years.
Luis, who has since built a life on the East Coast as a father and grandfather, visited his brother Roger for one last time before Roger passed away in August 2024. The two shared a poignant moment, reflecting on the fateful day that changed their lives forever.
Luis has chosen to remain out of the public spotlight, but his family is sharing their story in the hope that it can inspire other families who are still searching for their loved ones. Alida’s determination, combined with modern DNA technology, helped solve a 70-year mystery that was thought to be unsolvable.
