Doménica Palacios located alive in the south of Quito

Doménica Palacios, an 18-year-old young woman, has been located alive in the southern part of Quito, according to an announcement by the Attorney General's Office on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Palacios had been reported missing two days prior, on July 20, from the Inaquito sector in the northern part of the city.

The last confirmed sighting of Palacios was captured by a security camera at her aunt's store at 1:25 PM on July 22, as she was speaking with her aunt. Following this, her whereabouts became unknown. The investigation intensified as her cell phone became a focal point, particularly after her mother received a series of alarming WhatsApp messages.

These messages from Doménica expressed distress, stating she had been hit in the face and was experiencing difficulty with the phone's signal. Messages included phrases like, "Mom, I don't know where I am," "I can't see well," "Mom, get me out of here," and "I don't want to be here." Her mother, Fernanda Palacios, recounted that Doménica had never before completely ceased communication.

Further communication revealed Doménica was in a dark room and disoriented. She mentioned being "hit" and that two men were controlling her phone, preventing her from sending messages freely. She expressed fear and a strong desire to return home. The messages indicated she had left her aunt's shop and then lost awareness of her surroundings.

Authorities released Palacios's image and physical description, black eyes, black hair, approximately 1.40 meters tall, to aid in her identification. On the day of her disappearance, she was wearing ripped jeans, a black t-shirt, and carrying a pink backpack. The investigation utilized security footage and the content of her messages to piece together the events leading to her discovery.