In 2019, workers at the long-abandoned No Frills supermarket in Council Bluffs, Iowa, made a gruesome discovery that solved a decade-old mystery.
While dismantling the store’s shelving and freezers, they stumbled upon human remains wedged behind a massive fridge.
DNA tests soon revealed the remains belonged to Larry Ely Murillo-Moncada, a man who had mysteriously disappeared in 2009.
The Startling Discovery
The supermarket had closed its doors in 2016, yet Larry’s body had been concealed within its walls for nearly a decade.
Image Credit – Council Bluffs Police Department
His disappearance, which occurred during a blizzard the day after Thanksgiving in 2009, left his family in agony. They had reported him missing after he left their home barefoot and in a state of distress. Little did they know, he was trapped within the very store where he once worked.
A Fatal Accident
Larry had been working at No Frills and was known to climb on top of the large refrigeration units to stock items.
Investigators believe that on that fateful day, he fell into an 18-inch gap between the fridge and the wall, becoming hopelessly trapped.
The 12-foot-tall unit emitted a constant hum, drowning out any cries for help he might have made. Tragically, Larry’s death was ruled an accident, with no signs of foul play.
A Horrifying Simulation of a Tragic Fate
To illustrate the horror of Larry’s ordeal, a chilling simulation was created, depicting what it might have been like for the 25-year-old to be trapped behind the fridge with no means of escape.
The simulation highlights the terrifying reality of being trapped in a confined space, unable to call for help, and slowly succumbing to the situation.
Doubts and Reality
Despite the shocking nature of the story, some have questioned how Larry’s body could have gone unnoticed for so long, especially given the inevitable decomposition.
However, the truth of Larry’s fate is undeniable. For seven years, while the store remained open and bustling with customers, Larry’s body lay hidden in a narrow gap, unseen and unheard.
A Grim Reminder of Unimaginable Tragedies
While some fortunate individuals manage to call for help and survive, Larry’s cries were drowned out by the very machinery he once worked with. His story is a tragic example of how easily someone can become lost in the world, even in the most ordinary of places.
Rest in Peace Larry Ely Murillo-Moncada
Image Credits: Council Bluffs Police Department / X/@zackdfilms1