It has become increasingly standard for police to utilize social media to locate missing persons, and these appeals often achieve significant community engagement. While many missing individuals, particularly children and teenagers, eventually reunite with their families, there are heartbreaking cases where loved ones remain unaccounted for.

This article highlights several unsolved cases involving missing children, continuing a series that shines a light on the realities faced by families in such distressing situations. Among these are the stories of Peniana Vadei, Chirag Murti, and Talei Raikadroka—children whose disappearances have had profound impacts on their communities and families.

Peniana Vadei, known as Pe, was just 18 when she vanished from Maui Bay in Fiji on September 7, 2022, during a family outing. Engaged in a volleyball game with her relatives on Constitution Day, she left briefly to return to her family’s picnic area. However, upon their return, Pe was missing, her belongings untouched. Despite local police diving teams conducting extensive searches, she has not been located, and her case remains open nearly three years later.

Chirag Murti, a seven-year-old boy with hearing and speech disabilities, disappeared from his home in Qila, Taveuni, on November 12, 2021. His mother left him and his siblings momentarily unattended, leading to a frantic search initiated by the family and local police. The frustration felt by his father, Shyam Murti, has been pronounced, as he seeks active engagement from the authorities, urging them not to consider Chirag’s case as a “cold case,” but to continue thorough investigations amidst rising concerns about the island’s susceptibility to human trafficking.

Talei Raikadroka, who was just three years old when she went missing on November 30, 2019, also remains unaccounted for. She was last seen at her grandparents’ home, and her disappearance shocked the local community. Sadly, this case has also seen little progress, highlighting the emotional turmoil faced by her family and neighbors.

The Fiji Police have acknowledged ongoing issues related to missing persons, reporting an average of 20 to 30 cases per month, although a significant number of these cases remain unresolved. Statistics show that out of 723 missing children’s cases reported between 2014 and 2019, 95 percent were resolved positively. However, concerns remain as many children still go missing annually, underscoring the urgent need for continued efforts to locate and protect vulnerable individuals.

As investigations unfold, these families maintain hope, supported by community vigilance and police commitment. The cases of Vadei, Murti, and Raikadroka not only underline the persistence of hope amid heartache but also emphasize the critical need for compassion, thorough investigative protocols, and widespread community involvement in ensuring the safety of all children.

In conclusion, the stories of these missing children serve as powerful reminders of the ongoing challenges many families face and the collective efforts required from law enforcement and communities to bring missing persons home. The resilience exhibited by the families in their quest for answers highlights the importance of both determination and solidarity in combating the heart-wrenching issues surrounding disappearances.