19-Year-Old Student Disappears After Leaving Friends and Following an Unknown Group

The disappearance of Ana Amelí García Gámez, a 19-year-old biology student, has generated great concern in Mexico. The young woman was last seen on July 12 while hiking in Cumbres del Ajusco National Park, in the Pico del Águila area, near Mexico City.

That day, Ana Amelí went out with friends with the intention of hiking and continuing her rock climbing training, an activity she had begun pursuing in 2024. However, at some point during the hike, she decided to separate from the original group and briefly join other hikers.

The last known image of Ana shows her posing on the mountaintop with members of the "Tepemecatl" hiking group, whom she joined after being separated from her friends. According to these hikers, the young woman left the group shortly after the photograph was taken.

Between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. that day, Ana managed to send a text message to a relative indicating that she was okay, although she did not provide her exact location. That was the last known communication. When she did not return home, her father, Ricardo García, notified authorities on July 13.

Since then, one of the largest search operations in the history of Ajusco has been deployed, with more than 491 rescuers covering more than 401 linear kilometers with an average separation of 29 meters between each one. Despite a thorough search of the 12 square kilometers of Pico del Águila, no trace of the young woman or any other missing person in the area has been found.

The deployment has included drones, helicopter overflights, canine units, and witness interviews. Authorities have also questioned the hikers pictured with Ana Amelí, who reiterated that she separated shortly after the photo was taken.

Ana Amelí is approximately 5'6" tall, has a chipped front tooth, and a stretched right earlobe. On the day of her disappearance, she was wearing a white jacket, military-style pants, brown hiking boots, a white helmet, and carrying a light blue backpack.

Luis Gómez, head of the Mexico City Commission for the Search for Persons, confirmed that, due to the negative results so far, a new hypothesis is being evaluated that could extend the search to other areas.

The Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection, as well as the Attorney General's Office, continue their investigation into the case, in constant communication with the young woman's family, who remain hopeful of finding her.

Authorities have called on citizens to share any relevant information immediately.