The disappearance of a young man with autism on the island of La Palma has caused concern among locals and across Spain. For more than three weeks, there have been no new leads, despite large-scale search operations. The incident highlights the vulnerability of people with developmental disorders in both urban and natural environments, and underscores the importance of swift response and support from society and authorities.
According to El Pais, 20-year-old Airam Concepción vanished on February 16 after getting off a bus in the island’s capital, Santa Cruz. The last signal from his mobile phone was detected near the tourist area of Los Cancajos. Since then, there has been no activity on his bank card or transit pass. That day, the island was celebrating its main carnival event, Los Indianos, which complicated the situation due to large crowds and increased activity on the streets.
Search efforts and findings
In the first days after the disappearance, significant rescue resources were mobilized, but in recent days the intensity of the search has decreased. Bad weather and storm warnings have hampered the work of underwater teams. The main line of investigation is based on three findings: Airam’s backpack, his trousers, and the last location of his phone. All these clues point to a route along the coast in the area of Risco Alto, near Los Cancajos. However, police do not rule out other scenarios.
Among additional measures, DNA analysis is being considered on tissues found near the family home. This should help determine whether they are connected to his disappearance. Investigators do not rule out the possibility that the young man may have left home voluntarily, which had happened before due to the specifics of his condition.
Family and community support
Airam’s mother, director Mercedes Afonso, was due to present a documentary about her son’s life—’El mapa para tocarte’—at the Malaga festival during this period. However, she declined the trip to remain close to her family and help coordinate the search efforts. According to her, years of work on the film helped her better understand her son’s characteristics and his reactions to stressful situations. Airam’s father, Francisco Concepción, expressed hope for a positive outcome in an interview with local television, noting that his son’s return to society could be highly stressful, while nature brings him a sense of safety.
From the outset, the family believed that the disappearance was linked to so-called ‘autistic shutdown’—a state where a person with autism may suddenly withdraw into isolation. According to his mother, during her last phone conversation with Airam, he was highly agitated and she was unable to calm him down. The family is confident that Airam can survive in tough conditions, even eating insects if necessary, and remains hopeful for his return.
Documentary and public response
The premiere of the film “El mapa para tocarte” in Málaga is taking place without Mercedes Afonso, but the disappearance of her son has drawn significant public and professional attention. Airam’s story has sparked discussions about the safety of people with autism and the need to develop specific response protocols for such situations. Many residents of La Palma and other regions of Spain are supporting the family and participating in the search efforts, despite challenging weather conditions.
As El Pais notes, the investigation is ongoing and police are considering all possible scenarios. Results from forensic examinations are expected soon and may shed light on the circumstances of the disappearance. Meanwhile, the situation highlights the importance of raising public awareness about the behaviors of people with autism and the need for rapid, coordinated responses when such incidents occur.
In recent years, Spain has seen repeated cases of people with developmental conditions going missing, sparking widespread public concern. In 2024, a teenager with autism disappeared in Galicia; the search lasted nearly a month and ended successfully. In Catalonia in 2025, a man with Asperger’s syndrome was found alive after two weeks of searching in the mountains. These cases show that timely action and community and government support can be decisive in such situations.
