Lourdes Maria Gruart, a 46-year-old woman, was last seen in Manhattan, New York, on October 14, 2000. A former model, Gruart had experienced a decline in her career and was reportedly facing personal and financial difficulties in the years leading up to her disappearance. She was allowing her younger brother, Mario Gruart, to stay with her in her apartment on East 83rd Street at the time she went missing.
Friends held differing opinions on their relationship; some believed she adored him, while others claimed she was wary of his intentions, having financially supported him on multiple occasions. Shortly before she vanished, Lourdes had asked her brother to move out, leading to an argument between the siblings.
The primary account of Lourdes's last known moments comes from her brother, Mario. He informed authorities that on the morning of October 14, 2000, at approximately 8:00 a.m., his sister left their residence with a large green bag, stating she was traveling to Europe. He claimed she departed in a waiting car. However, this account was met with skepticism as Lourdes's mother stated that her daughter never traveled without informing her of her plans. Furthermore, investigators discovered that Lourdes's passport had expired in 1988, making international travel unlikely.
Following her disappearance, Mario Gruart's behavior raised further suspicion. He moved most of his sister's belongings out of sight in the apartment and replaced them with his own. He also disposed of her couch, claiming they had mutually decided to replace it, though new furniture never arrived. Authorities traced the couch to a refuse yard in New Jersey but were unable to locate it. Despite being considered a person of interest for several months, law enforcement eventually stated they did not believe Mario was involved in his sister's disappearance.
Investigators have considered several possibilities regarding Lourdes Gruart's fate, including that she may have disappeared voluntarily, died by suicide, or was a victim of foul play. At the time of her disappearance, there were unconfirmed rumors that she may have been involved in sex work to supplement her income, which some have speculated could be connected to the fact that her lingerie was missing from her apartment. Her case remains unsolved, and the differing opinions of her friends about her life and disappearance reflect the enduring mystery of her whereabouts.Last Seen: Oct 14, 2000
