The disappearance case of Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon continues to baffle many people around the world, including myself.
Recently I wrote a few articles that have gained some attention:
- Unsolved: Kris Kremers And Lisanne Froon In Panama (FULL STORY)
- The Missing Panama Girls: A Closer Look At One Photo
- Kris Kremers Bleached Bones – Deeper Insights
- The $83 In The Backpack
After writing about the case and receiving ample feedback, I’ve decided to start building a list of people that might be interested in contributing to a research project involving the case of these two girls.
Project Plans
This isn’t what you think. The goal isn’t to solve the case. Anyone would be foolish to think that they could safely solve this case without creating havoc for locals.
My focus: disproving the “official” story. That’s very different. As I mention in my research analysis of Kris’s bones, it’s possible to disprove the official theory using modern scientific approaches. River velocity, decomposition rates, timeline evaluation, backpack tests, etc. It’s possible. And possible is why I’m even considering this.
At this point, I’m only gathering names to determine how much interest there is. I’m not going to speculate on how far this could take us. No trips are planned at this point.
I’ve outlined some core skills that could potentially help our team dig deeper into the unusual aspects of the disappearance.
- Biologists familiar with tropical habitats at various elevations.
- Engineers with knowledge of river calculations (size, dimensions, velocity, friction, etc).
- Forensics specialists with knowledge of crime scenes and human remains.
- Graphic editors that can manipulate and analyze graphics in a forensic capacity.
- Medical personnel with knowledge of human anatomy and cadavers.
- Spanish speakers that are knowledgable of latin culture and capable of doing online research for information surrounding the case in Spanish.
- Communications specialists familiar with the programming functions of cellular devices, cell phone signals, phone logging capabilities and functions, etc.
- Documenters with skill in tracking and recording details, project plans etc.
- Researchers with skills in searching official scientific publications and forensic studies.
These are just ideas. I’m open to other skills as well. In the end, in order for us to do any research involving this case, we will need people that have hard skills and can provide reliable feedback to our team.
Small Finds, Big Answers
The more time that passes, the less likely this case is to get attention. Certainly most people know that the Panamanian government’s official story is filled with holes. Panama’s government wants everyone to forget this case.
We’ve passed the 6 year mark since their disappearance. However, in some situations, cases have been reopened after being closed for a decade or more. Would they reopen the case if we disproved the official story? Maybe, maybe not. But even if we can’t get Panama’s government to reopen the case, we may at least get some final answers, before local conditions do actually change.
One thing that’s so frustrating about this case is that Panama’s government knew that nobody had the data to scientifically prove or disprove their version of the story, so – “It must have been an accident, right?”
Our advantage is that the scientific variables associated with the region remain mostly consistent. We already know that getting answers from locals is near impossible. But the rainfall data, river data, decomposition data, etc … it’s all still just sitting there waiting to quietly be gathered. The clock is ticking.
Hell, even if it is scientifically possible, isn’t that also worth knowing?
Some Questions We Could Answer
- How many locals utilize each different trail between Il Pianista and Alto Romero?
- What are cell phone reception conditions like at different points of the trail?
- Where is the exact location of the nighttime photos and what is nearby?
- How fast could the water have risen?
- How much does the river water rise relative to rainfall rates?
- How fast does the river velocity change relative to rainfall and water levels?
- What is average rainfall in the area vs historical rainfall rates?
- How fast does decomposition happen in that region (dry vs submerged)?
- River mapping – what are the conditions of the river?
- Trail mapping – exactly where are the trails and where do they lead?
- Building mapping – what is the proximity of buildings relative to the trails?
This Is Volunteer Based
This is a volunteer based project and could grow in size depending on the interest that is generated. Everyone must have a clear interest in researching the case of Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon. Collaborating and discussing the case will be our focus in the beginning.
This is not an offer for employment, nor a contract for work. There is currently no funding source for this project. Even if there is funding, it will most likely go towards research and travel expenses for the team. Nobody will be paid unless otherwise notified.
At this point there are no expectations except for kindness and good communication. But please do not express interest if you are not truly willing to contribute as a volunteer in some fashion.
I will post updates on this website occasionally about the progress of the research team and any plans that we make.
About Chris
I live in El Salvador and have considerable experience backpacking through Central America, including Panama. I’ve hiked through rainforest, climbed volcanoes and have seen countless Mayan ruins. I also speak Spanish and write about disappearance stories in Latin America.
I’m a software engineer with experience working in health care information systems.
For more information you can read my about page.
What To Do If You Are Interested
You can email me directly: Chris(at)imperfectplan.com
Or you can email me through the contact form.
I’ll need the following basic information:
- Name
- Email address
- Skype handle (or other means of contact)
- Skills that may be helpful
- A brief introduction is always nice
Keep in mind, there is no requirement for others to live in Central America. We live in a well connected world and travel is generally easy, when it is necessary.
If you wish for your information to be kept private, please let me know. I will respect your privacy. However, please know that this is a team effort and therefore it will likely be necessary for you to communicate with team members other than myself.
Thank you for your interest!
Hi, I have to write this comment in German because my English is quite good, but maybe not good enough to understand what I’m talking about. I hope there is a good translator.
I keep wondering if the DNA material has been examined anywhere else than in Panama? Because what if it wasn’t the two girls at all? It has been found along with other bones, but perhaps it was just said it was theirs to prevent further searches. Then these night pictures, weren’t they taken much earlier? Has the camera broken the date display due to a fall? Surely the girls would have used these pictures and the flash function much sooner in an emergency than after a week.
I also doubt that the things in the backpack were really that “clean and tidy”. In my opinion, this suggests the photo of the things that were published, because everything looks very neat and clean there, which then led to no one doubting whether the things in the backpack were that neat. In addition, everyone looks into a backpack they have found before handing it in, maybe they would be sorted first.
I try to remain objective and not rule out anything, but it could have been a crime because the girls and their remains have not been found until today. Are there any places there that are inaccessible and where remnants might still be found? Perhaps they are not found on the ground, but in the trees through a fall?
I read about a case where someone got lost too, they were looking for him. At first he was not found. He was found much later and dead. Only 300 meters from a path and 500 meters from a parking lot. Very strange.
These are some of my thoughts. This case is strange and mysterious in so many ways. It won’t let me go
=== Original Below ===
Hi, ich muss diesen Kommentar auf Deutsch schreiben, weil mein englisch zwar ganz gut, aber vielleicht nicht gut genug ist, um zu verstehen, was ich meine. Ich hoffe, es gibt einen guten Übersetzer.
Ich frage mich die ganze Zeit, ob das DNA Material auch noch woanders untersucht worden ist, als in Panama? Denn was wäre, wenn es überhaupt nicht das von den beiden Mädchen war? Es ist zusammen mit anderen Knochen zusammen gefunden worden, aber vielleicht hat man nur behauptet, es sei von ihnen, um weitere Suchen zu unterbinden. Dann diese Nachtbilder, sind sie nicht vielleicht schon viel eher gemacht worden? Ist die Kamera vielleicht durch einen Sturz defekt für die Datumsanzeige geworden? Diese Bilder und die Blitzfunktion hätten die Mädchen doch sicherlich viel eher benutzt, in einer Notsituation, als erst nach einer Woche.
Ich bezweifle auch, dass die Sachen im Rucksack wirklich so “sauber und ordentlich” waren. Dieses suggeriert meiner Meinung nach das Foto von den Sachen, das veröffentlicht wurde, denn dort sieht alles sehr ordentlich und sauber aus, was dann dazu führte, dass niemand mehr daran gezweifelt hat, ob die Sachen im Rucksack auch so ordentlich waren. Noch dazu schaut doch jeder in einen gefundenen Rucksack, bevor er ihn abgibt, vielleicht würden sie auch dabei erst geordnet.
Ich versuche objektiv zu bleiben und nichts auszuschließen, trotzdem kann es ein Verbrechen gewesen sein, weil die Mädchen und auch ihre restlichen Überreste bis heute nicht gefunden wurden. Gibt es dort überhaupt Stellen, die nicht zugänglich sind und wo vielleicht noch Überreste zu finden wären? Vielleicht sind sie auch nicht auf dem Boden, sondern durch einen Sturz in den Bäumen zu finden?
Ich habe von einem Fall gelesen, wo sich jemand ebenfalls verlaufen hat, es wurde nach ihm gesucht. Er wurde zunächst nicht gefunden. Man fand ihn dann viel später und tot. Nur 300 m von einem Weg und 500 m von einem Parkplatz entfernt. Sehr merkwürdig.
Das sind einige meiner Überlegungen. Dieser Fall ist in so vielem merkwürdig und mysteriös. Es lässt mich nicht los.
Have you looked really good at the picture of her hair. It looks to me like someone is holding her head. There are gloved.
The bait was money – $30,000 for information to crack the case. Afterwards, 3 people who had interacted with the girls before the hike succumbed to untimely deaths. Did they have information needed to collect the reward? There is potential for danger with any such undertaking. Moreover, fear in the community must surround the case. Not for the faint of heart.
Hi Marilyn,
I agree with you. Undoubtedly a lot of fear exists in the area. This is obvious from the muddled/changing stories locals shared in 2014 and 2015. The overall silence in the Boquete region about the events speaks loudly about the dangers present to locals.
Perhaps people in the Boquete area talk about the case amongst themselves, but certainly nobody is speaking publicly. Everyone from Panama that discusses the case online uses proxies and fake usernames. So, obviously danger is still present in the area, likely even more now that gang influence has increased in the Chiriquí Province.
I think it was totally related to gangs groups. Authorities maybe have a pact with them and community, something seen a lot in movies. Maybe some gang killed and rape them for pleasure and when it became international they just cover it all. Hide the truth.
Oh yeah, so gang kidnapped them but in mercy didn’t destroy phones or camera, and even let em make 100 photos on 8th April ! ! ! Yeah it makes sense
This is not a right way. These kind of group would never get there unnoticed. IMO the proper way is to make a bait. A couple of girls. 2-3 unconnected groups with different roles like bait, security, tech group.
Hi Alexander, thanks for your comment.
Using human bait and putting lives at risk is not an option.
At this point, the only 3 things that can potentially move the case forward is collecting information about the area, gathering new evidence and re-analyzing the existing evidence.
@ Alexander same thing was on my mind. Is far the best way to get some conclusions about the cicumstances in the Region. Also agree with Chris that way includes high risks for the people executing such action.
@Chris if you will solve the case you should find all the telephone connections around the il pianista bar and the parking, ground in front of the trail, i am sure that the information that the girls are going on the trail is from there.
Panama police didnt act that way ,cause if they had tracked the phones nothing would happen.
Excuse my English… and good luck in solving the whole thing.
Estoy de acuerdo. Writing the scenario that Kris and Lisanne were held against their will would be an effortless short story to write. Every piece fits, including what happened after their disappearances. I can picture it in my mind though it wouldn’t be a pleasant read, esp. for the family. I hope someone locates the “lair” that your blown-up photo suggests, as well as the additional forensic remains. Key pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that would help flesh out the story.
Thanks for responding
Hi Chris:
I hope one day you go to Panama to conduct your research. I, like countless others, would love to go. I like to solve mysteries and puzzles that mostly involve, but are not limited to, true crime. I have also discovered a love for science late in life (I’m 61).
Anyway, I’ve noticed the deep chasm which separates those who believe the hikers met with foul play versus the hikers died from injury/getting lost/exposure. I’m trying to stay open-minded but think most likely foul play was involved.
So I will try to make the second scenario (lost/injury/exposure) fit the story. We know Lisanne was disappointed with the way the trip was turning out and feeling homesick and most likely, culture shock. Not to mention unsafe. Kris, on the converse, appeared as though she’s trying to show Lisanne what a great idea it was and working hard to show Lisanne what good time they were having. We’ve all been there with “it sounded like a great idea at the time”. Maybe Kris pushed Lisanne to take the hike further into areas that were ill-advised in search of a beautiful waterfall. Tensions grew and the girls quarreled. Kris stomps off ahead of Lisanne and Lisanne took pictures, reluctant to follow yet afraid to lose sight of Kris. Was there a power struggle? They seemed like the best of friends. Nonetheless, they got in over their heads. Day turned into night and they couldn’t connect with help for a myriad of reasons. We know the story ends with both their deaths.
So then another hiker discovered their belongings and decided to take it home to ponder the find. The third party realized two hikers were missing and were the focus of a huge manhunt. Scared of being implicated, this person photo shops, lops and deletes a photo that he thinks the police could question him about. This person or persons, most likely local to the area, then replants the backpack into the park. Perhaps even Kris’ shorts from out of the backpack are planted. All is clean and mostly intact because it stayed in his possession at home for a while. He even leaves the cash behind so he can’t get somehow get accused of theft. Could this scenario support the evidence? This is the only way I can think of the lost/injury/exposure being plausible and it’s a long shot. The third party would be at least guilty of tampering with evidence and hindering an investigation.
Hi Marilyn,
Thank you for your interest in the case and for your comments.
I like the consideration that you’ve put into alternative possibilities. The scenario you mention is certainly possible, although there are many unanswered questions similar to all other scenarios. They could have had a power struggle moment and someone could have found their backpack and placed it further down the river.
Personally, I believe that Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon were held against their will. However, I try to think objectively when evaluating the available information.
A lot of simple questions could be answered from visit to Panama, even without speaking to locals. Nature itself can provide a lot of answers but I would need the assistance of a knowledgable biologist, a forensics expert, etc. (The more help the better!)
Thank you again for your comment
Your first link in orange doesn’t work – it doesn’t open :/ .
Thanks for pointing that out! It’s working now. Cheers