In April 2014, the world became captivated—and later haunted—by the chilling and tragic story of Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon. These two bright, adventurous young women from the Netherlands set off on what should have been a scenic afternoon hike in Panama. They were full of life, hope, and curiosity.
But they never returned.
What happened in the jungles of Boquete remains one of the most disturbing unsolved mysteries in modern history—a case laced with eerie photographs, unanswered phone calls, and human remains discovered months later under chilling circumstances. To this day, the disappearance and deaths of Kris and Lisanne continue to raise more questions than answers.
Two Friends, One Dream
Kris Kremers, 21, and Lisanne Froon, 22, were best friends who had recently graduated from university. Kris had completed a degree in cultural social education with a focus on art, while Lisanne had earned her diploma in applied psychology. Intelligent, warm, and full of potential, they had spent months planning a special trip together—part celebration, part volunteer mission, part adventure.
In March 2014, they flew to Panama. After traveling around the country for a couple of weeks, they arrived in the mountain town of Boquete in Chiriquí Province, planning to stay with a host family while volunteering at a local school.
But just a few days into their stay, they decided to take a short hike up El Pianista Trail—an area known for its beauty, but also for its remote and rugged terrain.
April 1, 2014 – The Day Everything Changed
The morning was bright and sunny. The girls dressed casually—shorts, tank tops, and hiking shoes. They packed light: a small backpack containing two cell phones, a camera, some cash, and a single water bottle.
“We’ll be back before dark,” they reportedly told their host family.
But as the sun dipped behind the hills, only the family dog returned home—panting, alone, and without the two women he had followed earlier.
Panic Sets In
At first, there was confusion. Maybe they were staying with a new friend? Maybe they lost track of time?
But by April 2, worry had turned into fear. Local authorities launched a search. Helicopters hovered over the dense rainforest. Dogs sniffed through the underbrush. Kris and Lisanne’s families flew in from the Netherlands. For weeks, nothing turned up.
It was as if the girls had vanished into thin air.
A Backpack Surfaces
Then, in May, a local woman made a strange discovery near a riverbed—a blue backpack containing two pairs of sunglasses, some cash, a passport, and two bras.
But most crucially, it held the girls’ cell phones and digital camera.
Inside those devices was a disturbing digital trail.
A Trail of Missed Calls and Strange Photos
The phones showed multiple attempts to call emergency services—77 attempts in total, starting just hours after they began their hike. The first came in on April 1, the very same day they disappeared.
None of the calls went through except for one, which connected briefly before cutting off after two seconds.
More chillingly, the phone belonging to Kris had multiple failed attempts to enter the correct PIN—suggesting that either she was unconscious, missing, or worse, and Lisanne was trying to access it in desperation.
By April 11, both phones were dead.
And then, there was the camera.
The Haunting Photographs
The first photos from April 1 appeared normal—cheerful selfies, shots of the lush jungle, and pictures of each other smiling. But on the night of April 8, over 90 photos were taken in total darkness between 1:00 and 4:00 a.m.
What the camera captured is deeply unsettling.
- Belongings spread across rocks
- Plastic bags arranged oddly
- Mounds of dirt and snapped branches
- A strange close-up of Kris’s head—possibly with blood at the edge of the frame
There were no clear images of the girls, only eerie snapshots that looked more like a cry for help or evidence meant to be found.
Why did they wait a full week before taking these photos? Were they trying to create a visual trail? Why were the pictures taken in total darkness—and who took them?
One image shows what might be Kris leaning forward with her hands behind her back, as if bound.
The Final Discovery
In June, the mystery turned even darker.
Search teams found a pelvic bone and a foot, still inside a boot, along the same riverbank. DNA confirmed they belonged to the missing girls.
Lisanne’s remains showed typical signs of decomposition. But Kris’s bones were bleached white, with no signs of natural wear or trauma. No cuts. No scrapes. No obvious cause of death.
Some experts say this could happen naturally, but others find it suspicious—especially considering the difference between the two.
A Case With No Answers
Despite the forensic evidence, police reports, and international media attention, no one truly knows what happened to Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon.
Were they lost, injured, and trying to survive?
Did they meet someone with harmful intent?
Why were so few of their remains ever found—and why did those that were recovered tell such different stories?
Why didn’t they leave any messages behind for their families?
These are the questions that haunt their parents, their friends, and everyone who has followed the case over the years.
A Legacy of Fear, Love, and Unanswered Prayers
Kris and Lisanne were not reckless. They were smart, kind, adventurous young women who simply wanted to explore a new part of the world. Their disappearance serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers that can lurk even in the most beautiful places.
In the years since, the case has sparked books, documentaries, and thousands of online forums. But no definitive answers have emerged.
Their families still wait.
Still hope.
Still wonder.
And the rest of us—those who’ve read their story and seen those haunting photographs—are left with an uncomfortable truth:
Sometimes, the world doesn’t give us closure.
Sometimes, the forest keeps its secrets.
