Ecuadorian Police Confirm Missing Man's Disappearance Was Voluntary

Ecuadorian authorities have clarified the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of 29-year-old Pablo David Llanes Páramo, stating that his absence was a voluntary decision stemming from personal matters. The National Directorate of Missing Persons (Dinased) confirmed that Llanes was located safe and sound in Baños de Agua Santa, Tungurahua province.

Colonel Jairo Burbano, a spokesperson for Dinased, addressed the case during a press conference on August 1. He explained that the police applied the standard protocol for missing persons immediately after the report was filed on July 29. The investigation, conducted in coordination with the State Attorney General's Office, led to the discovery of Llanes in Baños.

Dinased explicitly debunked rumors circulating on social media that suggested Llanes might have been under the influence of scopolamine or other drugs. "The citizen was not under the effects of scopolamine or any narcotic; in reality, he was wandering in Baños," Burbano stated. He further clarified that Llanes was found by Dinased personnel as part of their search efforts, refuting claims that his discovery was due to intervention by private citizens.

Following his location, Llanes was taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation before being reunited with his family. His father, Henry Llanes, expressed profound gratitude on social media for the safe return of his son, thanking God, his family, and everyone who supported the search. According to Henry Llanes, Pablo had left his home on July 29 to go to a nearby gym, and his last known movements were recorded near a shopping center in Quito before his trail went cold.

Pablo Llanes is identified as a systems engineer working in programming. His disappearance had caused significant concern among his family and friends, who actively participated in the search efforts.