In January 2006, a vibrant 22-year-old Brazilian exchange student named Carla Vicentini stepped onto American soil, filled with dreams and aspirations. Sadly, just 21 days later, her dreams turned into a horrifying nightmare as she vanished without a trace in Newark, New Jersey. Leaving her hometown Goioerê, Carla hoped to soak in the big city life; instead, what unfolded was a mystery that has haunted her family and friends for over a decade.

Initial Days in the U.S.

Carla’s initial experiences in the U.S. were less than ideal. Assigned to work in a rural fast-food joint and housed in a rundown motel, Carla struggled to find her footing. However, things seemed to be looking up when she moved to Newark, finding a new job and settling in a popular tourist area with a friend of her father’s, Jose.

A Night of Unforeseen Events

But this semblance of stability vanished just days later. On February 9, 2006, after a night out where she visited her friend Maria at the Adega Bar and Grill, Carla was seen leaving with an unidentified man around 2:30 am. According to Maria, Carla intended to return shortly, a promise witnessed by a note with the strange man’s number, which unfortunately was misplaced. This was the last time anyone saw or heard from Carla.

Disturbing Developments

Disturbing details emerged in the following days, including a frantic call from Carla to her boyfriend in Brazil, mentioning inappropriate advances by Jose. The situation with Jose, who changed his account of the events of that night and subsequently moved back to Brazil, further muddled the investigation. The case seemed to be marred by dead ends and confusing leads, including an anonymous tip regarding Carla’s alleged confinement in a motel, which could not be verified.

A Plea for Help

As the years rolled on, the sense of desperation grew. Despite making headlines in Brazil, the case received scant attention in the U.S. Her parents appealed tirelessly to various authorities, resulting in the FBI eventually joining the investigation, though progress remained slow. The inconsistencies in Jose’s testimonies raised suspicions but were not enough to press charges, leaving the family in an agonizing wait for justice.

Continuing the Search

In 2015, a new ray of hope emerged as the FBI announced a significant reward for information leading to Carla’s whereabouts and put up billboards throughout New Jersey to reignite interest in the case. The unidentified man from the bar remains the prime suspect, but efforts to locate or identify him have proved futile.

Remembering Carla

Today, Carla would have been 39 years old. Known for her infectious laugh and big dreams, the memory of her vibrant presence haunts her loved ones. Standing at 5’7″, with distinct tattoos and piercings, Carla’s physical description and last known clothing details continue to be circulated in hopes of finding some lead.

A Mother’s Heart-Wrenching Statement

Carla’s mother, Tânia Vicentini, voices the heart-wrenching sentiment that encapsulates the tragic case, “I think that Carla isn’t alive because she would never stay more than two days without contacting the family. Someone destroyed her dream.”