Ciro Castillo Rojo Lost and Found
These days, the Peruvian news is all about Ciro Castillo Rojo. After more than 200 days of being lost in the Colca Canyon in Arequipa, Peru, they have found his lifeless body intact at the bottom of a cliff, 1400 meters below a viewing point in the tourist area. They recognized him by his clothes, pink watch, and gold necklace as seen in the last photos we had of him. It took 65 people 30 hours to get his body out of there and to a nearby town.
- Did his girlfriend, Rosario Ponce López, who was with him before his disappearance, have anything to do with his death? Classmates at their university have apparently stated that she has a tendency to be violent.
- Could the police or local town citizens be involved in his death? Ciro’s mother expresses doubt that Ciro could have fallen because he was found with no jacket and no shoes, but his hat was still on him. Furthermore, only his right arm seemed to be fractured.
- Did someone put him there after his death? He was found in the “backpacking zone” where the rescue team had thoroughly searched various times. Mountain rescue workers predict he died up to two days after breaking his arm (link in Spanish).
- Why are Rosario’s parents in Arequipa? Rosario’s parents admit that they are there to “protect the interests of their daughter” (link in Spanish), but it’s unclear what they mean by that. Even Rosario herself didn’t go to Arequipa for Ciro’s wake.
Only time and an autopsy will reveal the cause of death and bring another onslaught of emotions.
What have you recently lost and found? How did it make you feel?
Tags: arequipa peru, ciro castillo rojo, colca canyon, murder peru, peruvian news, rosario ponce lópez, valle del coca
Vinny T.
That’s a very sad and disturbing story Samantha, and I wonder whether we’ll ever find out what really happened to Ciro. We just may never know. I do hope that finding Ciro’s body, .at least, may bring some finality and closure for his loved ones.. Nonetheless,II’m also sure that many of his friends and relatives are overwhelmed with grief, and I hope that resources exist to help them more effectively endure during this difficult part of their lives
Samantha Bangayan
Me too! I’m so curious about the autopsy results and the trial. Hopefully, they’ll be revealing, but you’re right that we may never know. =(
You’re also right that the media has focused so much on the case that we’ve almost forgotten about what family and friends may be going through. I also hope that they have all the support they need.
bill McIntosh
Samantha-I´m happy they have found Ciro´s body and the effort was incredible. I have great appreciation and admiration for the family-especially Ciro´s dad.
Still it is really a horrible case and I fear the truth may never be known in this life.
Even if exonerated for his death-why did Rosario Ponce act so strangely if she
she´s innocent of his demise? God willing if she is hiding something that could clear it all up she will get nailed and really hard.
Samantha Bangayan
It’s so great to meet you, Bill! Sounds like you’ve been following the case quite closely! =) It’s so true that so many people put in a lot of effort in this case. That’s why it’s so great to have some sort of closure.
I also share your doubts about Rosario. There are just so many strange things she has done or said! =P
Adrienne
I’m glad they found him Samantha… I know it must be so hard on his parents.
With all the speculation of did she or didn’t she, I tend to not go one way or the other. In times like this people can say the worst when it’s really not true so until they can decide for themselves, I prefer to think that it was a tragic accident. My heart goes out to his family.
Thank you for letting us know. I have wondered if he was ever found. Now he can rest in peace.
~Adrienne
Samantha Bangayan
Yeah, I think that Ciro’s parents have had the hardest time. Many of their testimonies are filled with such emotion.
You’re also right that the media may have exaggerated when it comes to speculation. Since there was no story for such a long time, I think they took the opportunity to create gossip. =(
In the end, as you say, he (and his family) can now rest in peace.
J. P. Cabit
What a very sad story. Why do you have to keep posting things about people dying?!!?!?! 😀
The circumstances do seem very sketchy. It’s hard to imagine that someone would fall 1400 feet from a cliff, without losing their hat, and with only an arm broken. Hmmm……
Keep us posted!
Samantha Bangayan
Haha! That’s so true, JP! I guess it’s because death seems to be all around me here. And even though it’s so normal for everyone else, it still hits me. Maybe it’s my way of dealing with all the death. =P Speaking of which, we just celebrated the Day of the Dead here. =P
I’ll keep you posted! =)
J. P. Cabit
Ha ha 😀
bill McIntosh
Re posting things about people dying-this story is the news story of the year.
My theory re his death follows: First Rosario L. said shortly after her resue that Ciro may have had two broken limbs (two witnesses-one who formed part of the rescue team & one who was part of the medical staff). Then, a few months later, she denied this and got upset questioning why this came out now as it was really important news. She is a narcissist and as such has zero empathy (this came out with her bizarre interest in taking photos when authorities and family were searching for a dying person or a dead body. She is also very domineering (film clip of Rosario telling Ciro to dance in Colca) and there was at least one report of them having arguments.
I think that upon realizing that they were lost or trapped in a spot Ciro proposed an exit route and Rosario disagreed strongly. He then attempted it
anyway (being the first born with a type of father who takes initiative may suggest a trait in Ciro re my theory about his decision to seek an escape route to possibly get help but first took off his kangaroo pouch leaving it behind with Rosario as he probably had to hug to a tight path against rocks. Then he suffered a fall maybe 10-12 feet to a gulch or ledge below. He was now severely injured. Rosario given her bossy and vindictive manner (recall the final interview-case about to be archived away- when she tells Peru that Don Ciro had a drinking problem and was abusive to his family and curiously that´s the day Ciro´s body was spotted-thank God!!!) probably reacted in this manner:
Ciro-you fool-I told you not to try that and now we are in deep s_ _ _!!! It´s your fault! I told you not to do it-you didn´t listen. I have a child to worry about but you don´t care. Now it´s your problem to pull yourself off of that ledge-not mine. If you fall it´s too bad you idiot!
Then Ciro tried to climb out of there and with two hurt limbs he fell to his death.
Rosario then calls her friend to inform him that she is lost and that Ciro fell (true) so please send help. Later she called to complain that they still hadn´t rescued “me” and not “us”-the truth came out-she knew at that moment that Ciro was a goner and had fallen to his death.
Of course she won´t go to the wake. He died because of Rosario´s chronic hardheartedness. He was a guy mismatched to a manipulative albeit attractive
narcissist with a nasty and vengeful personality.
Samantha Bangayan
Wow! I hadn’t heard this theory yet! I think I’m with you about Rosario being domineering and potentially violent based on reports. I realized that this may be motive for pushing, but I hadn’t thought about how this may have consequences on how Rosario would treat him if he had suffered an accident. Super interesting! =) And that totally explains the “us” reference she made at the very beginning.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Bill! =)
Adeline
So sad to read this, Samantha. At least they found him, and somehow that would give his family the chance to bury him properly. I really hope that justice would be served here. It’s so sad to see another young life go to waste.
Samantha Bangayan
Yeah, that’s how I feel too. Even though there’s still a lot of confusion and emotion surrounding the case, what’s important is that Ciro can now be laid to rest. Hopefully, the trial will be revealing too!
pressgirl
Just sort of ran into your blog while searching for Ciro Castillo on Google… because I was also going to blog about it (in Spanish though). I live in Lima, and the way people have talked and presumed about who was at fault or not probably took over all every-day common conversations. When the body was found, then some newspapers were hardly criticized for having published its photograph… Although I’m pretty sure at least more than 50% of the people were dying to see it.
A “lost and found” case, as you describe it here, became a much more deep issue for everybody here. At a theoretic level, this case actually reflects how much people are into drama and not “thinking straight” when it comes to emotional matters. Anyway, it lasted what it had to last. I’m deeply sorry for the families involved in this horrible case though.
Samantha Bangayan
Karina, it’s so great to meet you! It’s so rare for me to meet young bloggers in Peru, so I really appreciate you reaching out and taking the time to leave a comment. =)
You know, I just came back from a rural farming area in Huancavelica and when they found Ciro’s body, it was the talk of the town! =P It has really taken over conversations all over Peru!
Interesting point about how people are into drama. Truthfully, that’s what everyday news here says to me, not just the Ciro case. =P
NIkita
Hi, drama!!! You call this drama!!!! wow!! hope you wil never experience anything like it!!!
Samantha Bangayan
I hope none of us have to experience anything like this, Nikita! Good point!
Bonnie Copeland
Such a sad story. Only two people can ever know with any certainty what happened. I’m glad that the family at least can put him to rest properly and begin to mourn him now. In the end that’s what counts. Accident or not the family needs to do that to move on. The truth has a nasty little way of coming out and it will I expect in time.
Samantha Bangayan
That’s so true, Bonnie! Even in the trial, they’re really just putting pieces together. Hopefully, they have enough pieces to go by!
And I totally agree that what’s most important is that Ciro’s family has some sort of closure this way. Phew!
Roberta Budvietas
Interestingly, I have a very different reaction to the story than most of the other commentators. There is a mystery here that does need solving but for me death is an inevitable part of life. I do not believe in the mourning and vengeance. I believe in celebrating the life that was. Yes there is a sadness that Ciro is dead in such sad circumstances but I also believe that God called him home and he is in a better place. If Rosario did something to him, she will live with the guilt and pain of that. But if she did nothing,and she could be innocent, then people could be accusing her and making her life hell because of assumptions.
Samantha Bangayan
I love your comment, Roberta, because it’s so calming. Let death be death. All the rest is drama and in a way, the gossip takes away from Ciro’s beautiful life. I want to celebrate him and his memory too! Thanks for the reminder of what’s really important! =)
Cindy Murphy
This is so sad and is happening way to often. Glad his body was found so all can move on but the grief and overwhelm from those who knew him will take so much time to heal.
Thank you for sharing this story. May he rest in peace and may the family find peace.
Cindy
Samantha Bangayan
It’s true, Cindy. I can’t even imagine how many other similar cases don’t even make it to the front page. I also hope that everyone involved will be able to find peace.
Bryce Christiansen
Wow, what a gripping story. Sad to hear that he fell to his death. Being from Arizona we sometimes hear similar stories of people falling in the Grand Canyon.
That’s incredible that so many people were willing to help get the body out.
Amazing.
Bryce
Samantha Bangayan
Omigoodness, I had no idea that people have fallen in the Grand Canyon! Then you can imagine exactly what this case is all about!
I was also impressed by how many people were involved in the rescue of Ciro’s body! I love when community comes together here. =) And considering how so many Peruvians have taken Ciro’s case to heart, it really has brought people together!
bill McIntosh
I don´t take an impartial view. I think Rosario is a scoundrel. She pulled out of the
fact finding trip because her poor mother got winded. Can we not see through her mean stratagems? I refer to her claiming post traumatic stress syndrome
and having to get treatment thus delaying the investigation while Ciro´s family were trying frantically to find him. Or how about Rosario´s heroic concern for her mother being winded on the way to the site of the disapperance. The sheer brazen shamelessness of these people. The towns people would have loved to lynch this heartless wretch. Why are people on this blog so disconnected with the cold and calculating manner of this girl? Can´t anyone see through her conniving ways? Don´t tell me I´m being judgemental-a family lost a son and Rosario is busy snapping photos-can´t you all see what a lousy and callous human being she is? You can´t see such foul behavior and be neutral!
Samantha Bangayan
It definitely sounds like she has pulled out excuse after excuse whenever she had a certain responsibility. I can see how they can be interpreted as strategies. It’s scary to think that we have to figure out when she’s acting and when she’s real. And because a lot of her actions have been not so believable, less and less people trust anything that she says!
Janette Fuller
My thoughts and prayers go out to Ciro’s family during this difficult time. I hope they do find out what happened so that the family can have closure.
Thank you for posting this story, Samantha.
Samantha Bangayan
Same here, Janette! There has been some closure in finding Ciro’s body, but what the family is now calling for are answers! Hopefully, there will be answers.
Dayle Fraschilla
Such a sad story. I can’t imagine what his family is going through. They are certainly in my prayers.
Samantha Bangayan
Me neither, Dayle. It has been such a drama, especially because it made national news for six months and continues to hit the front page of some paper every day.
Sandra McLeod Humphrey
That is just so sad, but I hope that his family finally has some closure.
Samantha Bangayan
I know, Sandy. I sure hope so too!
Lynn Brown
Oh my Samantha that is so awful and I feel for the family. I guess you can be happy that they did find him so he gets the proper burial, but of course you wonder how he died as if it were one of my family, I sure would want to be sure there was no foul play.
Samantha Bangayan
Exactly, Lynn! It seems like most of Peru has taken in Ciro’s case as if he were part of each Peruvian’s own family. What’s scary is that everyone’s pointing fingers. I hope the blaming and gossip won’t get in the way of discovering the truth!
Saturday Sharing: Cults, Jack-o-Lanterns, M&M’s and more | I shall be a toad
[…] shared a story of university student in Peru who went missing. After more than 200 days his body was found, but many questions have still not been […]
NadiaPeru
It’s very simple,
Rosario and Ciro decided to go in a trip, she lied to her parents, the mother later found out that she was with a “cholo”, sent the couple of fake policemen after them to teach Ciro a lesson. They hit him in the sleeping bag and disposed the body. Then they “called the search” while putting the pieces of the big act together: “We got lost, I survived, he cannot be found”
It was a big act for which she was not a good actress, everyone could see she was lying, unable to repeat her lines without looking around for help and clues from family and friends. She had to go and hide “treated for PTS disorder” so she could be prepared to be able to say her lines.
They had the hope that Ciro’s family would call the search off and go home, cry and forget the lost son. It did not happen, because they felt and smelled foul play.
The search was too long, finally, a capable prosecutor was in charge, the accused “young mother” and entourage decided to give what everybody wanted, the body, but before they digged it out, planted “evidence” in his pockets and hand, rolled him down the cliff… then she went to the press and said that he eloped, and sold the “secret video” where she talked about his addictions and dysfunctional family. Again, she and her lawyer were sure that with such evidence, the father will pick up the body with shame and bury it before anyone new that what she “confessed” was true.
Once again, Rosario and his people were wrong, the humble and determined father new his son, he would not accept such an insult to his memory and his family and is going to fight until the killers are in the hands of the law.
Samantha Bangayan
It’s so great to meet you, Nadia! =) Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and lay out all of your thoughts!
Ah, now I’m understanding how potential police murderers come into play. Interesting how Ciro could be considered a “cholo” — maybe it’s partly the marijuana that contributes to the image? =P
I’m totally on your side about the acting and having much of this planned. It almost feels like she was made to act, so much so that whenever she is now her true self, no one believes her anymore. That PTSD claim was really leery!
I hope the fight is successful!
NadiaPeru
new=knew, K not working well on my …eyboard 😉
Samantha Bangayan
Hehe! =)
Nadia Peru
Sad developments in this case….
But getting closer to agree with my version of the possible facts, clarifying that in Peru people consider a
Samantha Bangayan
It almost feels like the whole case is one tragic development! =(
What did you mean to say at the end there, Nadia? I think it got cut off. =P
Jimmy
Hello Sam,
Seems like tragedy is abound worldwide. Recently in Singapore, there has been a spike of suicide drownings in one of our popular reservoirs. Five cases of all. The saddest of all was when a young mother took her three year boy and committed suicide together. She dressed herself and her boy in red and did some ritualistic things to signal revenge against her lover in the after life. I was heart broken to hear the passing an innocent child. I have one 2.5 year old bubbly boy. Can’t imagine losing him like that.
I have lost all my friends recently. Or rather, I decided that they were not my true friends afterall. For many of them, after so many years of hi-bye friendship, I have decided to be the nice guy no more. They are not interested in my life. In fact, they could not care less. As we grow, not only do we lose the innocence of childhood, but we also lost the capacity to be true friends. Allowing the everyday, mundane activities of life to stop us is crab.
I certainly do not want to be this way. I am out to find real friends.
Samantha Bangayan
Omigoodness! That’s so sad to hear, Jimmy — especially about the mother and child. =( I’ve been reading about various suicides in the paper recently but more for forbidden love. I wonder what brings people to that end.
I’m also really sorry to hear about the friendships you lost, but in a way, it sounds like it can be a refreshing start for you. Who we surround ourselves can play a big role in our lives and I only hope positivity for you, friend!
Harleena Singh@Freelance Writer
Nice post Samantha, though loosing someone can be the most painful thing anyone can undergo.
It is indeed sad at learn about his death, though nice that they did find him at the end. However, I do feel bad for his parents who must have gone so much of pain. I lost my mother a few years back and that is one loss that I am still trying to cope with. Yes, time does heal, but there are some feelings and things, even time cannot heal- and that only the person undergoing the trauma and loss would know best.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Samantha Bangayan
You bring up a really good point, Harleena. I can only imagine what Ciro’s family must be going through to have to deal with the trauma of losing a family member and that may be what has instigated all of the drama.
I’m so, so sorry to hear about you losing your mother. =( I wish for you strength and patience with yourself, friend.
Carolyn
Wow, Samantha, there seems to be a log of human peril in Peru! Of course I cannot know what happened to Ciro, but at least his parents have closure and know the outcome of their son’s disappearance. I hope they can find peace someday.
Samantha Bangayan
Hehe! Maybe it’s just my choice of content. =P
Me too, Carolyn! I hope the trial will be able to shed some light on what happened!
Deeone
Very sad and tragic ending to this lost and found case, Samantha. Thank you though for sharing it with us. I can’t imagine what his family might be feeling at this point in his life, but I imagine that it will bring closure to them. It’s also very sad that the young lady has been more helpful in the search. It’s very understandable why there are so many questions dwelling over her. For her to not have attended the wake leaves me to wonder what is she really hiding, as well. I hope that they find out what happened to this young man; I’m certain that you’ll keep us posted on any updates.
Again, thanks for posting this touching story.
Samantha Bangayan
I know what you mean, Deeone! It seems like it has been such a rollercoaster for his family. There’s the closure of finding Ciro yet in parallel with the frustration about still not having answers. We’re still awaiting autopsy results, which will hopefully clarify everything.
I’ll definitely keep you posted! =)
Li
Wow – strange and mysterious. Unfortunately, it seems as though most of these cases (at least in the US) that involve a romantic partner with a history of violence turn out to be murders.
I once lost a camera – long story – but I’ve often wondered if anyone found it, whether they developed the film, and if so, did they wonder who the people in the pictures are?
Samantha Bangayan
I know eh! =) It could almost be a short fiction piece. Hehe! Wish I could of thought of the plot myself.
Yikes! That’s not promising for Rosario then.
Hey, that’s an interesting question. I lost my digital camera in Lima in 2008 and I often wonder who found it and what the person thought of my photos too. =P
Penelope J.
Interesting case, excellent narrative, and deepening mystery. Poor Ciro, who knows what really happened to him? Fingers pointed – both objective and subjective, and a lot of hype seems to surround this case. Also fascinating are the comments and different opinions/theories as to what happened, who’s to blame, etc. Rosario, with her penchant for milking her 5 minutes of fame, seems to be a prime suspect, but if she was guilty, it may have been the inadvertent actions of a narcissist. What about the autopsy findings when they come out?
This will probably go on for a while, the media will milk the story for all it’s worth, and people will gossip and reach conclusions, and then it will go the way of all such stories – become another legendary unsolved mystery.
As for closure for the family, they have it. As you stated, both parents were just happy that his body was found. Sad but true. Life must go on. At least they recovered their son’s body. Many others haven’t and never will.
Samantha Bangayan
Wow! I am so flattered by your compliment on my narrative, Pennie! Thank you so much! =) That made my day!
There is definitely a lot of drama surrounding Ciro’s case. They say that the people of the town near where Ciro was discovered had taken the case as their own, but truthfully, it seems like all of Peru has taken the case personally. I’m also super surprised about some of the people who have commented with their fully developed theories about the case! =)
Hopefully, we’ll learn more after the autopsy that we’re still waiting on and that this won’t be another unsolved mystery. =P
Fred Tracy
🙁 sad story, but at least they found him.
I remember when I was a little kid, we found our old dog out by the road. She had died. We had no idea if she was hit by a car, or if she had died fromold age. At least she didn’t look like she was hit by a car.
it’s not the same as a person dying, but it was still very distressing!
Samantha Bangayan
I’m so, so sorry to hear about your dog, Fred. =( Kind of the same thing happened to my partner. He had a puppy that I couldn’t wait to meet, but just a couple months before I arrived in Peru, they found the puppy on the street in front of the cathedral — roadkill.
Sometimes, the distressing part is not knowing the details. Closure seems so important for the human mind.
J.D. Meier
When you can’t hug somebody anymore, it’s just not the same.
I think that’s a great example of one of the simple experiences in life, that means so much.
Samantha Bangayan
So true, JD! Touch is so much more powerful than many believe!
samanta
por fin lo encontraron
Samantha Bangayan
Sí pues! Ya estaba perdiendo esperanza. =P (Un gusto conocerte, Samanta! =D)
bill McIntosh
Samantha: A few days ago I met Dr. Ciro Castillo Rojo, Antonio y Maria Gracia-at a mass in Magdalena del Mar. They are really authentic people. The dad is a fantastic man-very selfless, very kind, very upbeat and very appreciative of people. After we chatted a few minutes I said goodbye and he hugged me!!! That´s something I just didn´t feel proper about doing to him as I´m a stranger. But he is so warm that he reached out to a stranger.
Re Rosario-the question is-if she had nothing to do with Ciro´s loss why was she so callous after the disappearance? Why is she the “ex-enamorada”. People who have been following this saw her coldness nearly from day one
It doesn´t wash that Ciro´s family exstinguished the love she had for Ciro if she really had it in the first place.
I hope this is resolved- If foul play happenned it will do a lot of good for the guilty to be discovered and punished.
Samantha Bangayan
OMIGOSH! That is SO cool to hear! I always imagined him to be humble and kind from video footage of him. =) How exciting to have met him and to have felt his warmth in person. =) Thanks so much for sharing that anecdote, Bill! It really made me smile. =)
Great point about Rosario’s callousness! I also really hope that this will all be cleared up and that people will be brought to justice!
Sherry Zander
Oooooh, a Peruvian mystery, I love it. Hope you have an update to give us some time soon.
Samantha Bangayan
Still no conclusions last I heard! This one may remain a mystery! =P
OlgaLuz
Hi Samantha, I followed this story from the beginning, right from Perth, Australia in 2011. I felt very deeply for Ciro and his fate, also I backed his father all the way, he was such a courageous man!. I agree very much with Bill McIntosh interpretation of the facts though and can interpret Rosario’s behaviour as weird.
Ciro’s girlfriend acted like a narcissistic person, no remorse, no emotions whatsoever! Actually her own words betrayed her, when calling her friend for aid, she mentioned the word me, not us, which says plenty and enough for a clever prosecutor to take her as a culprit. She knew very well that Ciro was a goner when they found her after nine days of being lost. She couldn’t survive more than a week without water, so there is another mystery over this issue – was she helped by a third party for a few days and orchestrated a set up for her appearance or she survived drinking from leaves or any vegetation she could find available. But would she have those skills, would she know she could die without water in 5 days or so.
I have had experience with people suffering with narcissistic personalities, and all of them think only about themselves, they are excellent manipulators, and have no respect for other people’s feelings, neither ask anybody for an apology even though they could have done horrible things to them.
She might not have physically pushed him but she might have pushed him morally and psychologically to his death. That is my opinion, Great job Samantha all the best for you and your Blog!
Samantha Bangayan
Pleasure to meet you, OlgaLuz! Thanks for your thoughts and encouragement, and great analysis. 🙂 When I was in Arequipa this year, I met someone who was on the team that discovered the body. Here’s a video he sent me of his interview in case you find it interesting: https://www.facebook.com/ccm.arequipa/videos/vb.100004618273590/618318871665383/