An incident that shook La Palma has once again highlighted how fragile safety can be, even in small communities. The disappearance of 20-year-old Airam Concepción, a young man with autism, prompted a large-scale mobilization of residents, authorities, and volunteers. What happened affected not only his family but the entire Canary Islands, where such cases are felt particularly deeply.
Airam vanished on February 16, during the island’s carnival. He was last seen getting off a bus in Santa Cruz de La Palma, carrying a black backpack. According to El Pais, his phone’s signal was later traced to the tourist area of Los Cancajos before contact was lost. Since then, neither his bank card nor his transportation pass have been used.
Search efforts yield no results
For a week, dozens of volunteers, emergency service workers, and teams with search dogs joined the search. Groups combed the mountains, coastline, and city neighborhoods. Special attention was given to places with possible clues—a backpack resembling Airam’s was found in the Los Cancajos area. However, none of the evidence found led to further progress.
The young man’s mother, director Mercedes Afonso, immediately reported her son’s disappearance on social media. She suggested that Airam may have suffered an episode related to his condition, which could have led to disorientation and fear. The last contact with her son was around 6:00 p.m. on the day he disappeared, when he said he did not understand where he was. After that, his phone was switched off.
Family and public response
From the outset, the family believed the disappearance was linked to an episode of autism and not to a desire to run away from home. According to his relatives, Airam had no reason to run: he was anticipating the premiere of the film directed by his mother and had already picked out an outfit for the Malaga festival. In recent days, the search has focused on the area of Los Cancajos and the hills of El Paso, where volunteers hoped to find traces of the young man, perhaps trying to return home.
Various theories emerged during the search: some noted marks on the ground resembling Airam’s handwriting, but these details did not advance the investigation. According to El Pais, the Guardia Civil announced a reduction in the intensity of the search, awaiting new information. Authorities are asking anyone with knowledge to call dedicated helplines.
Technology and resources
Search efforts involved not only canine units, but also drones equipped with thermal cameras. Despite the use of modern methods, none of these technologies led to the discovery of Airam or a possible hiding place. The island’s difficult terrain and unpredictable weather make the search more complicated with each passing day.
Local residents continue to support the family, organizing their own searches and spreading information. Social media regularly features posts asking for help and offering advice on how to interact with a person with autism: avoid approaching suddenly, speak calmly, and avoid creating stressful situations.
In recent years, Spain has seen an increase in cases of missing persons with developmental disabilities. In 2025, large-scale searches were also carried out in Galicia and Andalucía for teenagers with autism who disappeared under similar circumstances. Thanks to coordinated efforts by services and volunteers, those missing were found alive at that time, but not all such stories have a positive ending. Authorities emphasize the importance of a swift response and educating the public about the specific behaviors of people with autism in order to minimize risks in such situations.
