In the quiet community of Henderson, North Carolina, the life of a family was changed on the evening of March 27, 2025. Maria Guadalupe Dominquez-Galvez, a 17-year-old girl known to her friends and family as Maria or Lupita, disappeared from her home. The sophomore at Vance County High School left her residence after climbing out of her bedroom window. Family members reported that she may have left between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. with someone in a black Ford Explorer. Her family discovered she was gone and reported her missing to the Vance County Sheriff's Office the following day. At the time she went missing, Maria was described as a Hispanic female, standing between five feet three inches and five feet four inches tall, and weighing between 115 and 120 pounds. She has long black hair that passes her shoulders, which may have had green highlights, and brown eyes.
Authorities were informed of several distinct physical characteristics, including marks on both of her arms and a small scar on her upper lip. It was also noted that Maria has corrected vision and might have been wearing glasses. She was believed to be wearing a special piece of jewelry, a gold ring with the number '15' on it, a cherished item from her Quinceañera. As the Vance County Sheriff's Office began their investigation, they entered her information into national missing persons databases and contacted federal agencies for assistance. It was initially believed that Maria may have been attempting to travel to Mexico. Investigators noted that she had left a note for her family and did not take her cell phone with her. There was no information to suggest she left involuntarily.
The community, including local advocacy groups like HendFact, rallied to support Maria's family during the distressing time of her disappearance. The search for Maria continued, with law enforcement working to piece together the events leading to her leaving home. Ultimately, the painful uncertainty for Maria's loved ones came to an end, as she was located and is no longer considered a missing person. Though the specific details and date of her recovery are not widely known, the resolution brought an end to an active search. The case began with a young woman leaving her home under uncertain circumstances, prompting a comprehensive response from law enforcement and a wave of concern from her community, and it concluded with the positive outcome that she was found alive.
Last Seen: Mar 27, 2025
