Authorities have released video showing a woman swimming in an alligator-infested river on the day of her disappearance. Investigators said that the woman’s family have positively identified her as being the person seen in the video. Authorities said that the missing woman suffers from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and had made threats to harm herself in the past, but not around the time of her disappearance.
According to reports, the 31-year-old woman from Florida, Paola Marie Miranda-Rosa, who “has a history of mental health issues”, was last seen by her family on December 17 at her apartment. Her vehicle was reportedly found abandoned on December 22, but there was no sign of the woman.
The Sheriff’s Office released the video recording and two images taken by hikers, showing the missing woman wading in the Wekiva River on December 18.
According to reports, the Wekiva River is known to have alligators, although attacks on humans are rare.
Investigators said that the woman’s family have positively identified her as being the person seen in the video.
According to reports, the sheriff’s office obtained the video back on December 20. They reportedly withheld it from the public until Thursday out of respect for Miranda-Rosa’s family.
On Jan. 5, authorities reportedly decided to release the video in hopes that someone else who may have seen the missing woman comes forward with additional information.
Sheriff Marcos Lopez reportedly said:
“Maybe someone else in the park saw her in a different area of the water and they can say “Hey, we’ve got some video of her too here,” and maybe it will lead us in a different direction. That was the last known video of her alive in that water, that doesn’t go to say that she couldn’t have come out, walked somewhere else.”
According to a reports, deputies searched about 4-and-a-half miles up and down the river with a high-intensity camera system, which has the capability to peer into hard-to-reach areas that cannot be explored by SCUBA divers.
The Sheriff’s Office announced that the deputies had not found anything in the river. They will not be returning to the state park unless a new lead comes in.
Sheriff Marcos Lopez reportedly said:
“We did walk off a little into the woods, and canvassed both sides, and used a drone, we just didn’t see any signs of anything, and we’re really comfortable to say that she’s not in that waterway.”
Authorities said that the missing woman suffers from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and had made threats to harm herself in the past, but not around the time of her disappearance.
Investigators said they do not suspect foul play in the woman’s disappearance, but her family said it was unlike her to stop answering their calls, especially before the holidays, or leave her pets unattended.
According to reports, on Dec. 17, the missing woman had lunch with her mother, grandmother and uncle at home, and headed to the park the next day.
The woman’s family, who have been conducting their own searches and hanging up flyers to find her , have launched a GoFundMe Page to help them hire a private investigator. As of Saturday, the fundraiser has collected more than $15,748 in donation.
Paola’s father, Gustavo Miranda, reportedly said:
“We’re not giving up hope we’ll see her again. We’re a family of faith and pray for her safe return. We love you, we love you, we are waiting for you, everyone. Family, your friends, and people you don’t even know.”
She is described as 4-foot-10 and 145 lbs, with red hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing blue jean shorts and a green or white shirt. Please call the Sheriff’s Office at 407-348-2222 if you have any information. This story will be updated.