In a twist of fate, Luis Armando Albino, a boy who disappeared from a park in California in 1951, was found 70 years later as a grandfather living on the East Coast. His family’s persistence, coupled with modern DNA technology, brought closure to this decades-old mystery.
Luis Armando Albino Missing: A Mysterious Disappearance
In February 1951, Luis Armando Albino was just six years old, playing with his brother Roger in West Oakland. A woman wearing a red bandana approached Luis, speaking in Spanish, and lured him away with the promise of candy. Instead, she took him across the country to the East Coast, where he was raised by another family.
- Luis Albino disappeared from a park in West Oakland in 1951.
- He was lured away by a woman who promised to buy him candy.
- The woman spoke in Spanish, appealing to Luis, who is of Puerto Rican descent.
Despite an extensive search by local authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard, and soldiers at a nearby Army base, including searching the San Francisco Bay, Luis was never found, leaving his family heartbroken for decades.
DNA Test Reopens the Case of Luis Armando Albino Missing
The breakthrough came when Luis Albino’s niece, Alida Alequin, took a DNA test in 2020, which matched her to an uncle she never knew existed. At first, the DNA connection seemed to lead nowhere, but in February 2024, Alequin resumed her search, determined to find answers.
- In 2020, Alida Alequin’s DNA test revealed a match with a man identified as her long-lost uncle.
- In 2024, she resumed the search, poring over old newspaper archives and eventually contacting Oakland police.
Her determination led to the reopening of the missing persons case. Oakland police began a fresh investigation, following the DNA trail that had eluded them for so long.
Luis Albino Found: A Grandfather on the East Coast
Finally, in June 2024, Oakland police had good news for the family—Luis had been found alive. Now retired, Luis is a former firefighter and Marine Corps veteran, living with his family on the East Coast.
- Luis Albino was discovered living on the East Coast, more than 70 years after his disappearance.
- He is now a retired firefighter and Marine Corps veteran, and also a grandfather.
- His niece, Alida, knew deep down it was him, and upon confirmation, celebrated the news.
Reunion After 73 Years
The emotional reunion occurred in June 2024, when Luis met his niece Alida in person. She then drove him to meet his brother Roger, where the two siblings reunited for the first time in over 70 years.
- Luis Albino reunited with his brother Roger in June 2024, after a 73-year separation.
- The reunion was filled with emotion as they embraced each other in a long hug and shared their stories.
Unfortunately, their time together was brief. Roger passed away in August 2024, just weeks after the reunion, having had the chance to reconnect with his long-lost brother.
Ongoing Investigation
The kidnapping case remains under investigation by Oakland police. Though Luis was found, questions linger regarding the identity of the woman who kidnapped him and her motives. Authorities continue to search for more answers to this decades-old mystery.
FAQs
- Who is Luis Armando Albino?
Luis Armando Albino is a man who went missing from a park in West Oakland, California, in 1951 when he was just six years old. He was recently found alive after more than 70 years. - How was Luis Albino found?
Luis Albino was found after his niece, Alida Alequin, took a DNA test in 2020, which eventually led to his discovery on the East Coast in 2024. - What happened to Luis Albino in 1951?
Luis was kidnapped by a woman wearing a red bandana while he played in a park. He was taken across the country and raised by another family on the East Coast. - Where is Luis Albino living now?
Luis Albino is currently living on the East Coast, where he is a retired firefighter, Marine Corps veteran, and grandfather. - Who kidnapped Luis Armando Albino?
A woman, described as wearing a red bandana, kidnapped Luis. However, her identity and motives remain unknown, and the investigation is ongoing. - What role did DNA play in finding Luis Albino?
A DNA test taken by Luis’s niece in 2020 provided a match that eventually led to Luis’s identification and location. - Did Luis Albino reunite with his family?
Yes, Luis reunited with his brother Roger and his niece Alida in 2024 after more than 70 years of separation. - Is the investigation into Luis Albino’s kidnapping still active?
Yes, the Oakland police continue to investigate the case, focusing on the woman who kidnapped Luis in 1951. - How long was Luis Albino missing?
Luis Albino was missing for over 70 years, from 1951 until he was found in 2024. - What happened after Luis Albino was found?
After being found, Luis reunited with his brother and niece, and the family shared emotional moments before Roger’s passing in August 2024.