Above: Adriana circa, 1988
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: November 28, 1988
Missing From: Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: circa, 1973
Age: 15 years old
Height and Weight: 5’3″ and 125 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Hispanic Female, Black hair, Brown eyes, Adriana had metal braces on her teeth at the time of her 1988 disappearance, her hair was described as being medium length, she is of Colombian descent, her nickname is “Age”
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A black trench coat and a pair of jeans
Details of Disappearance
Adriana was last seen in Ephrata, Pennsylvania on November 28th 1988. She was last seen at her residence located in the 20th block of north Charles Street. Her mother, Mariela Escobar, saw her at 6:15 am in the kitchen and they spent some time together before she left for work and Adriana went back to sleep. School was off during the day of her disappearance.
Adriana was discovered as missing when her stepfather came home from work that afternoon. He had left earlier in the morning than Escobar so he hadn’t seen Adriana that day. He was confused to find the curtains of the home still draped since Adriana always opened them when she got out of bed. He wasn’t immediately concerned and assumed Adriana had gone out to run an errand.
When Escobar came home later, they both became extremely concerned about where Adriana was. She called family and relatives and found she wants with anyone. She even called Adriana’s friends from school and found none of them knew of her whereabouts. After searching to no avail, her mother frantically called the police and reported Adriana missing at 9:33 pm.
Investigators originally believed that Adriana possibly ran away from her home. They interviewed her friends and family and found nothing to indicate Adriana had plans of leaving. She didn’t take any of her personal belongings with her. She did take her school bag with some clothing. She also left behind money in her bank account which was never touched.
Police believed she had left with a man who was apparently very close to her and knew her well. However, investigators now believe other factors played a role in her disappearance. They believe someone she knew did in fact go to the apartment and picked her up. Her mother believed someone abducted Adriana and has kept her from contacting her family and friends.
Authorities believe that Adriana was probably murdered and have narrowed down a strong suspect in the case. The suspect has not been named publicly but investigators have stated he no longer lives in the area. Escobar has denied the suspected person was involved in her daughters disappearance and had criticized the investigation into her daughters disappearance.
She alleged that after police narrowed down this suspect, they refused to investigate other avenues and possibilities brought up in the case. There were several strange occurrences that occurred before and after Adriana went missing. According to her family, they received obscene phone calls in the months leading up to Adriana’s disappearance and they abruptly stopped after November 28th.
Apparently just a week after Adriana went missing, Escobar found a piece of a paper taped to the light post outside of the residence. The paper showed a drawing of skeleton inside of a coffin and words which said “Special Delivery.” Investigators have found no solid clues as to how Adriana went missing and no one has seen her since 1988.
At the time of her disappearance, Adriana was described as a considerate and well behaved teenager who lit up the lives of everyone she met. She was described as a fun and bright person at the time she disappeared. She was a 9th grade student at Our Lady of Perpetual Hell Catholic School in 1988. Adriana’s disappearance remains unsolved and foul play is suspected.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Ephrata Police Department 717-738-9265
Source Information
The Lancaster New Era 01/13/1989
The Lancaster New Era 01/15/1989
The Lancaster New Era 02/01/1994