In the winter of 2018, a young woman named Melissa Estoy, known affectionately to some as 'POCH,' vanished from the island of O'ahu, Hawaii, leaving her loved ones in a state of confusion and deep concern. On the afternoon of January 16, 2018, Melissa, who was 21 years old at the time, was seen by a family member leaving her home in Waianae. She was last seen in the area of Zablan Beach in Nanakuli, a place frequented by locals.
At the time of her disappearance, she was described as being of Hawaiian and Filipino descent, standing between 5'2' and 5'4' tall, and weighing around 120 to 140 pounds. She had long brown hair with highlights, brown eyes, and a distinctive star tattoo on her right wrist. Her attire that day was a yellow t-shirt bearing the words 'SURF INSTRUCTOR' in red letters, worn with a black hooded jacket.
The circumstances surrounding Melissa's disappearance grew more troubling two days after she was last seen. Her gold 1991 Honda Accord was discovered at Zablan Beach, the very place she was last reported to be. The state in which her vehicle was found immediately raised alarms for her family. Inside the car, her personal belongings, including her purse and phone, were left behind. Most unsettling was the discovery of her car keys still in the ignition and the windows of the vehicle rolled down. This scene struck her family as highly suspicious, as it seemed unlikely she would have left her car and possessions in such a vulnerable state.
Following the discovery of her car, an extensive search was launched by authorities, including the Honolulu Police Department, firefighters, and the Coast Guard. The search efforts focused heavily on the ocean off the Waianae Coast. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the area which reportedly showed Melissa getting out of her vehicle and walking toward the ocean. Crucially, the camera footage did not capture her ever returning from the water. Despite the intensive searches of the surrounding ocean, no trace of Melissa was ever found. The investigation into her disappearance remains open, and her case is unsolved. The official classification has been noted as a lost or injured missing person, with a prevailing theory being a potential accident or exposure to the elements. The lack of any concrete evidence or leads has left her family with unanswered questions and a painful void where a beloved daughter and cousin used to be.Last Seen: Jan 16, 2018
