The discovery of jeans believed to belong to missing Airam has become a pivotal moment for the people of La Palma and all of Spain. This development has not only heightened concern among locals but also prompted authorities to reassess their search strategy. The new piece of evidence could change the course of the investigation and influence further actions by rescue teams.
According to El Pais, a private diver found the jeans in the Los Cancajos area, where search efforts had already taken place before. Latest reports suggest that this may be the location where contact with the young man was lost. Airam, a 20-year-old man with autism, disappeared on February 16 during the Indianos celebration—one of the most vibrant events of the island’s carnival. He was last seen leaving a bus in Santa Cruz de La Palma, carrying a black backpack. His phone signal was later detected in Los Cancajos, about five kilometers from where he got off.
New evidence
The jeans are the second major discovery after his backpack was found on the shoreline. These details suggest that Airam may have headed to the sea, rather than to the mountains as previously thought. A representative from the Guardia Civil stated that the main focus will now shift to the maritime area, as soon as weather conditions allow search operations to resume on the water. Authorities in the Canary Islands have issued a storm warning due to dangerous waves, complicating rescue efforts.
Airam’s family, especially his mother, renowned filmmaker Mercedes Afonso, is actively involved in the search. She reported her son’s disappearance on social media, suggesting that an autistic crisis—which Airam had experienced before—may have triggered it. Relatives believe the young man left voluntarily while going through a difficult emotional episode.
Search efforts continue
Despite using modern technology—including drones with thermal imaging and specially trained dogs—the search has yielded no results so far. The Guardia Civil is urging anyone with information to contact 062 or 922437650. Local residents and volunteers continue searching both on land and at sea, hoping for a positive outcome.
Airam was particularly inspired by the upcoming premiere of his mother’s film “El mapa para tocarte”, which was scheduled to be presented at the Malaga festival on March 6. He had chosen an outfit for the event in advance, highlighting his emotional involvement and future plans.
Context and implications
The disappearance of Airam has once again drawn attention to the challenges of searching for people with developmental conditions. In recent years, Spain has seen a rise in cases where missing individuals with autism or other disorders found themselves in dangerous situations due to delayed response or lack of information. In 2025, a similar incident occurred in Tenerife when a search for a teenager with autism lasted over a week and ended well thanks to the coordinated efforts of volunteers and police. In 2024, a large-scale operation unfolded in Galicia for an adult man with mental disabilities, leading to the creation of new cooperation protocols between rescue services and families. These events highlight the importance of coordination and raising public awareness about the specifics of such disappearances.
