On June 1, 1997, five-year-old Alexia Anne Reale was last seen in Elk Grove, California; however, the circumstances surrounding her disappearance would later be revealed as a tragic case of child abuse and murder. Alexia lived with her mother, Barbara Carrasco, her stepfather, Larry Carrasco, and her older sister, Jessica. The family's life reportedly took a dark turn in February 1997 when Larry stopped working, and both he and Barbara began using methamphetamine.
This substance abuse led to paranoid delusions that their children were possessed by demons and vampires.
The situation escalated into a period of horrific abuse. In an attempt to "cleanse" the children, Larry and Barbara forced Alexia and Jessica to drink milkshakes laced with bleach for eight consecutive days in late May 1997. Jessica later recounted how she tried to help her younger sister vomit up the toxic mixture, but their parents discovered this and locked Alexia in a closet for five days as punishment. Around June 1, 1997, Jessica saw her sister lying motionless and pale on the floor. Barbara attempted CPR but soon realized Alexia was deceased.
Following Alexia's death, her body was kept in the family's freezer for several days. Subsequently, Larry Carrasco dismembered his stepdaughter's remains with a pruning saw. The remains were then incinerated in the fireplace, and the ashes, along with the tools used, were placed in a cooler and discarded in the Sacramento River. For a time, the truth remained hidden. When Alexia's maternal grandmother requested a welfare check, the Carrascos claimed Alexia had gone to live with her biological father in Illinois, a claim he denied. The investigation gained traction in the fall of 1997 when one of Jessica's teachers noticed chemical burns on her body, which Jessica revealed were from her stepfather dousing her with bleach to "exorcise" her demons.
Jessica's testimony was crucial in uncovering the horrific events that led to her sister's death. In 2000, Larry and Barbara Carrasco were convicted of Alexia's murder and additional child abuse charges. Larry was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison, while Barbara received a sentence of 15 years to life. Alexia Anne Reale's body has never been recovered. Her older sister, Jessica, has since written a memoir about her traumatic experiences.Last Seen: Jun 1, 1997
