the story of two families linked by living with loss

Concepcion set out from Morelos, Mexico in the summer of 2009 to visit her daughter Maria in Pennsylvania. Laura Elizabeth traveled in the same group, on her way to meet her father in New York.

They reached the Arizona-Sonora bordertown of Nogales - and were never heard from again.

These are some of their families' stories.

ties: how Concepcion and her family came to the United States and the painful decision to leave

left: how most of the family returned to Mexico and what they found there

missing: how Concepcion planned her visit - and then disappeared

a daughter's questions: how Maria searched for her mother from the United States side of the border

the husband's search: how Concepcion's husband searched from the Mexican side of the border

maria: Maria remembers leaving home for the United States and adjusting to a new life

living in the dark: how living off the radar has impacted the family

mixed emotions: how Maria and her husband live with having familiy on both sides of the border

today: how living without answers affects Maria and her family on a daily basis

gallery

gallery: personal photos from each family are bittersweet reminders.

read transcripts of the audio pieces

transcripts of the audio pieces

Laura Elizabeth

Laura Elizabeth: read her story in her father's words and an English translation