Maria Contreras Lopez Missing Person Case

Jul 27, 2017

Apr 27, 2023

Maria

Contreras Lopez

23

16

63 inches

115 lbs

Hispanic / Latino

Female

In the autumn of 2016, a sense of unease settled over a family in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, when 16-year-old Maria Alejandra Contreras Lopez vanished on September 29th. A Hispanic female with brown hair and brown eyes, Maria was a teenager on the cusp of young adulthood. At the time of her disappearance, she was described as being 5'3" and weighing approximately 115 pounds. The circumstances surrounding her leaving were quiet and without any immediate signs of overt conflict; she had simply disappeared from her uncle's home where she had been residing. The initial details were sparse, leaving her loved ones and the community with a host of unanswered questions and a growing sense of concern for her well-being. The mystery of her whereabouts began to unfold as the days turned into weeks, and the initial hope for a quick return started to fade into a prolonged and anxious wait for any news. The investigation into Maria's disappearance, led by the Oak Ridge Police Department, began to piece together the moments leading up to her being reported missing. It was discovered that Maria had taken all of her personal belongings with her, including her clothes, shoes, and important paperwork. This significant detail led authorities to believe that she may have left of her own accord, classifying her case as that of an endangered runaway. Despite this classification, the concern for her safety did not diminish, as a teenager alone is incredibly vulnerable. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children became involved, amplifying her case to a national audience in the hopes of generating new leads. The Oak Ridge Police Department continued their work, collaborating with national organizations to help find the missing teen. Years have passed since Maria Contreras Lopez was last seen, and her case remains an open and painful chapter for her family and the community. The lack of any significant updates or new information has left a void, filled only with the enduring hope that she will one day be found safe. The passage of time has not erased the memory of the 16-year-old girl who disappeared on a September day. This case serves as a somber reminder of the many young people who go missing, their stories often fading from public view as new tragedies and events take center stage. The investigation into what happened to Maria continues, a quiet but persistent effort to bring her home and provide answers to those who have waited for so long. The overview of the case is one of a sudden departure and a lingering mystery, a young life interrupted for reasons that are still unknown, leaving a family to grapple with the ambiguity of her absence.

Sep 29, 2016

Oak Ridge

Tennessee

Anderson County

37830

No

33044

Oak Ridge Police Department

Oak Ridge

Tennessee

Anderson County

37830

200 South Tulane Avenue, Tennessee

8654254399

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.oakridgetn.gov/department/ORPD/Home

16-15777

Oak Ridge Police Department

Brown

Brown

Brown

07/05/2026