Back in Boquete after a visit to Alto Romero
Between 2014 and 2015, my life was defined by the dense, cloud-covered mountains of Boquete, Panama. Located near the Costa Rican border, this seemingly tranquil valley town became the epicenter of an intense, global media storm following the tragic disappearance of two young Dutch women, Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon. My role during this harrowing period went far beyond standard logistics. I was tasked with guiding and coordinating the search operations on the ground, a responsibility that eventually led to a deeply profound mission: closely accompanying and supporting the Kremers family as they searched for answers in an unfamiliar and unforgiving terrain.
The Journey to the Heart of the Rainforest
One of the most pivotal and emotionally charged moments of the entire operation involved a journey to Alto Romero, a tiny, isolated indigenous village nestled in the rugged Bocas del Toro region. This remote settlement became central to the investigation because it was in this immediate vicinity that the first tangible breakthrough was discovered—a backpack containing the girls’ belongings.
Reaching Alto Romero by land is a testament to the brutal, chaotic nature of the Panamanian jungle. For an average hiker, it requires a twelve-hour trek through dense, mountainous rainforest and steep valleys—a distance the local indigenous population can naturally navigate in about seven hours. Because of these extreme geographic barriers, time constraints, and the emotional toll on the family, our expedition to see the area firsthand had to be conducted via helicopter.
Navigating the Media Storm Upon Return
The reality of an international investigation means that privacy is incredibly hard to maintain. The moment our helicopter touched down back in Boquete after the flight to Alto Romero, we were immediately confronted by a wall of media. A number of reporters, flashing cameras, and microphones awaited our arrival, desperate for any shred of new information from the deep jungle.
The gathered press corps was eager to learn what insights we had gained from our time on the ground in the indigenous village, what our firsthand experiences were, and, most delicately of all, they wanted to interview the parents. Managing that specific moment required a careful balance between professional transparency and fiercely protecting a family navigating their worst nightmare under the global spotlight.
Memories Embedded in the Cloud Forest
Looking back at the photographs from that era, especially the images capturing the chaotic media ambush after our return from the mountains, I am reminded of the immense pressure and emotional weight we carried every single day. The search for Kris and Lisanne was a multi-layered operation where human empathy had to coexist with rigid logistical coordination under intense scrutiny. While the lush landscapes of Panama are undeniably beautiful, they hold a profound, challenging wilderness. For me, those months spent coordinating the search in Boquete remain an unforgettable chapter of intense focus, quiet resilience, and a relentless pursuit of the truth.
You can view some of the footage captured during one of the helicopter flights to Alto Romero in the following video
Top photograph: The Kremers arrival by helicopter to Boquete after a visit to the village of Alto Romero in Bocas del Torro.
