The disappearance of 4-year-old Paulette Gebara Farah in Mexico in 2010 captured national and international attention as authorities launched a massive nine-day search for the disabled little girl. Paulette vanished from her home in Huixquilucan, leaving family and police baffled.
Paulette, who had mobility and speech difficulties, was last seen after returning from a weekend trip with her father and sister. Her mother put her and her sister to bed as usual, but by morning, Paulette was missing. Despite a thorough search of the home, neighborhood, and surrounding forests and highways, no sign of her was found initially.
Authorities questioned Paulette’s parents and nannies amid inconsistencies in their statements. Days later, in a shocking turn, Paulette’s body was found trapped between the mattress and bed frame in her own room—a location no one thought to check.
The medical examiner ruled out foul play, finding the cause of death to be accidental asphyxiation caused by obstruction of the nasal passages and chest compression. Details from the investigation revealed Paulette slept with an orthopedic cloth over her mouth to keep it closed, which may have contributed to her tragic suffocation.
The case remains one of Mexico’s most haunting mysteries, with public outrage over how the body went undiscovered for so long and questions about the thoroughness of the initial investigation.
