I’ve always been drawn to cases of missing persons; Madeleine McCann, Asha Degree, Jael Flores, Migui Dollente—just to name a few that I’ve followed over the years. Perhaps it’s my maternal heart reacting to the profound sense of loss and longing that families endure when someone disappears.
More than closure, I always hope for reunification. In late 2021, this fascination led me to draft a novelette about a missing woman named Mary Ann. I only managed to finalize it in 2025, as the original version was much darker and lacked character development. Time, and perhaps maturity, changed how I wanted to tell that story.
So it wasn’t surprising when the case of Sherra De Juan captured my attention. What could be more unsettling than a bride going missing just days before her wedding? I followed her story closely for almost three weeks, and like many others, I found myself defending her fiancé, Arjay, against malicious accusations. Sometimes, public judgment moves faster than facts.
Sherra was eventually found on December 29, 2025, by a rider in Sison, Pangasinan. What happened between Quezon City and Pangasinan remains unclear. The distance alone raises many questions, especially given the route one would have to take on foot or via public transport.
Like many people following the case, I couldn’t help but wonder about the gaps in the story. One possible explanation I considered was that what began as a simple errand, looking for wedding shoes, may have escalated into confusion and fear. Anxiety, especially when overwhelming, can affect judgment and decision-making in ways that are difficult to understand from the outside.
I remain cautious about treating any single narrative as absolute truth. Memory can blur under stress, and traumatic experiences can alter how events are recalled. This doesn’t mean someone is being dishonest, only that the mind sometimes protects itself in complex ways.
What matters most is that Sherra was found alive. A kind stranger helped her reconnect with her family, and she is now on the path to recovery. Her fiancé shared that once she is well, they plan to proceed with their wedding in the coming months. His patience and loyalty during her most fragile moment speak volumes.
Cases like this remind me why stories of missing persons stay with me. They are not puzzles to be solved for entertainment, but human lives suspended in uncertainty. And sometimes, against all odds, they find their way back.
For those curious, the novelette I mentioned earlier—born from the same empathy and questions—can be found through the Amazon link below.
The World of Second Chances 
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