LYON, July 24 – Concern is mounting for the relatives of Gabriele Monteiro, a 33-year-old Brazilian national, who has been missing from her apartment in the Gerland district of Lyon’s 7th arrondissement since approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, July 23. Her husband reported her disappearance after returning home early from work to find their apartment door ajar.
Husband Discovers Apartment Door Ajar
Upon entering, Gabriele’s husband noticed that all her important personal effects – including her passport, identity card, bank card, phone, and connected watch – were still in their usual places. “It’s as if she had just stepped out quickly to collect a package or something and never returned,” suggested Livia Possi, a long-time friend of Gabriele, in an interview with actu Lyon.
Gabriele was on sick leave and recuperating at home. “She had a very good relationship with her husband; he was supportive and caring during this period,” Possi added. On Friday morning, her husband realized that Gabriele’s residence permit was also missing from the apartment, though no suspicious transactions have been detected on her bank account.
Planned Meeting Cancelled, No Traces Found
Livia Possi and Gabriele had plans to meet on Friday, July 24, around 9 AM for a wedding over the weekend. “We were supposed to go to a wedding this weekend,” Livia recounted.
Gabriele’s husband immediately checked the building’s cellar, inquired with neighbors, and posted a message on the residence’s WhatsApp group. He also went to the police station in the 7th arrondissement to report his wife’s disappearance.
According to Livia, the police collected details of the disappearance but advised waiting before issuing an official missing person’s alert. “We went to the hospital to check if she had been admitted, but there was nothing. Today, I’m going to the town hall of the 7th arrondissement to see if it’s possible to view surveillance camera footage,” Livia stated.
A Well-Liked Woman, Fears of Kidnapping
Gabriele Monteiro is described as approximately 1.70 meters tall with very curly hair. She is a civil engineer and has been residing in France for several years, married to her husband for ten years.
“She is very kind, almost naive. People like her, and residents are very worried; I’m afraid it might be a kidnapping,” said Livia, adding that neither she nor Gabriele’s husband has received any ransom demands or messages requesting money.
Actu Lyon reached out to the national police for comment but has not yet received a response.
