The Mysterious Disappearance of Marco Aurelio: A Boy Who Vanished Into Thin Air?

More than 300 individuals conducted a thorough search for 28 days, seeking any clues that could explain the disappearance of 15-year-old Marco Aurelio Simon.

Involved in the search were military police, army infantry battalions, firefighters, rescue experts, and even psychics and clairvoyants.

Helicopters buzzed overhead while trained dogs combed the ground, and the Air Force deployed a plane, marking this as the largest search operation ever conducted in Brazil.

But what happened to Marco? Where did he go? And how could such a thing happen?

These haunting questions continue to perplex everyone who experienced the chilling case of Marco Aurelio Simon.

In 1985, Marco Aurelio was a typical 15-year-old boy and a member of the Olivano scout group in São Paulo.

The group was preparing for their first climb of the challenging Picos Doss Marines, led by experienced scout leader Juan Bernabil Cesperes.

The mountain was chosen for its breathtaking landscape and difficulty, making it an ideal challenge for the boys.

Marco Aurelio, who had an identical twin brother named Marco Antonio, was excited for the adventure, even though Antonio was unable to join due to illness.

The twins had been born prematurely and had faced health challenges, so their parents encouraged them to join the scouts to build confidence and physical strength.

On the agreed-upon day, only four scouts and their leader Juan remained after several dropouts.

They spent the night at Marco’s family home before heading to the subway station the next day, where they met their fellow scouts: Ricardo Salvati, Ramati Rome, and Osaldo Loiro.

Juan was close to Marco’s family, which gave the parents confidence in his leadership.

After taking a bus to Pikete, they were met by local scout leader Sebastia Austo Ramos, who arranged for them to stay at the farm of Afonso Savior, an expert in the area.

The group camped in the farm’s backyard and spent the day swimming in the river.

Upon returning to camp, they found their belongings had been disturbed, but Afonso suggested it was likely just local dogs.

That evening, as temperatures dropped, they built a bonfire and discussed their upcoming hike.

However, one of the boys, Osaldo, felt an unsettling sensation that they were being watched, a feeling echoed by Juan, who heard noises around his tent.

On June 8th, the group awoke early to prepare for their trek.

Three scouts from another group passed by and invited them to join, but Juan declined, a decision that would have dire consequences.

Despite being an experienced scout leader, Juan chose a more difficult route, and within hours, the group was lost.

At 2 p.m., Osaldo tripped and injured his knee, making it impossible for him to continue.

Juan attempted to fashion a stretcher but ultimately had to carry Osaldo on his shoulders, with the rest of the group assisting.

Marco Aurelio offered to go down the mountain alone to seek help, believing he could do so faster.

Juan reluctantly agreed, giving Marco chalk to mark his path with the number “240” on rocks to guide them back.

Unfortunately, that would be the last time anyone saw Marco Aurelio alive.

The remaining scouts followed Marco’s markings until they reached a fork in the trail.

Believing Marco would have taken the left path, they chose to go right instead, leading them on a longer route.

After over 14 hours of trekking in freezing temperatures, they returned to camp only to find Marco’s backpack outside his tent, disorganized and strange for their group.

Juan decided to rest briefly before searching for Marco, but when he returned later that evening, he had no sign of the boy.

On the day of Marco’s disappearance, his family was visiting a ranch in another city.

Feeling an inexplicable urge, Marco’s mother insisted they leave early to check on her son, a decision made hours before anyone realized he was missing.

When Juan returned to inform the family of Marco’s absence, they quickly mobilized to search for him.

Despite the efforts of local authorities and volunteers, the search yielded no results, and Marco’s disappearance became a national story.

Evo Simon, Marco’s father, used his connections in the press to raise awareness, leading to a massive search operation involving 180 soldiers and numerous rescue teams.

The search was extensive, covering every possible location, but after 28 days, not a single piece of evidence was found.

The case became one of Brazil’s most famous disappearances, leading to numerous theories about what happened to Marco.

Some speculated he was abducted by aliens, citing the area’s reputed high magnetic power and unexplained lights seen the night he vanished.

Others proposed more earthly explanations, such as kidnapping by a gang or being attacked by a wild animal.

As investigations continued, suspicions began to fall on Juan, the scout leader.

Critics pointed out his refusal to take a qualified guide or join the other scout group, as well as his decision to let Marco descend the mountain alone.

Juan’s actions were scrutinized, particularly the time he spent alone with Marco before sending him off.

Despite pressure from authorities, Juan maintained his innocence, and the scouts defended him against the accusations.

However, the intense scrutiny led to a military investigation, during which Juan was tortured to confess to Marco’s murder, but he continued to deny any wrongdoing.

Public sentiment turned against Juan, and he became a target for the community’s anger.

Despite the lack of evidence against him, the townspeople believed he was responsible for Marco’s disappearance, leading to violent confrontations.

Even after being cleared by the scouts, Juan faced harassment and was dismissed from the Brazilian Scout Union.

The case remained unsolved, and Marco’s family continued to search for answers, but rumors and theories persisted.

The most disturbing theory suggested that Marco had been murdered by Afonso’s son, who had a history of psychiatric issues.

In 2021, audio surfaced claiming that Afonso’s daughter had confessed to witnessing Marco’s death at the hands of her brother.

However, police investigations into these claims yielded no evidence, and Marco’s case was officially closed in 1990.

Despite the passage of time, the mystery of Marco Aurelio Simon’s disappearance continues to captivate the public’s imagination.

His twin brother, Marco Antonio, still seeks closure, and Osaldo, who felt guilt over the events, became a police officer specializing in disappearances.

The tragic case remains a haunting reminder of the unpredictability of nature and the unresolved questions that linger in the hearts of those affected.

In my opinion, while theories of alien abduction and foul play are intriguing, the most plausible explanation is that Marco simply got lost in the wilderness.

Accidents happen, even to the most experienced hikers, and the elements can be unforgiving.

It’s easy to become disoriented in the mountains, especially with the added challenges of rough terrain and changing weather.

Despite the bizarre circumstances surrounding Marco’s disappearance, it is essential to remember that many experienced climbers have faced similar fates.

Ultimately, the truth may never be known, but the search for Marco Aurelio Simon serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring mystery of the unknown.