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Woman Missing For 27 Years Found At Parents’ Home, Breaks Silence On Ordeal
Police officer assisting woman found emaciated after being missing for 27 years, walking near a black Mercedes vehicle outdoors.
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Woman Missing For 27 Years Found At Parents’ Home, Breaks Silence On Ordeal

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A 42-year-old Polish woman has finally broken her silence after allegedly being held captive by her parents for 27 years.

Identified as Mirella by local media, she was rescued by police authorities in July from her parents’ home in Świętochłowice, roughly 180 miles from the Polish capital, Warsaw.

However, according to her account, nothing is as it seems, leaving netizens utterly confused

Highlights
  • Mirella, a 42-year-old woman, has finally shed light on her alleged 27 years of captivity inside her parents’ home.
  • Investigating prosecutors are working to gather evidence of potential “emotional and physical” exploitation by her parents, now in their 80s.
  • Meanwhile, doubts and suspicions continue online, with many suggesting that Mirella might be suffering from “Stockholm syndrome.”

“Something is off with this whole story…Everything is just off, ” wrote one social media user.

RELATED:

    The rescued woman was reportedly missing for nearly three decades, since her teenage years

    Woman whose parents said she was missing for 27 years sitting in a room, holding a drink, appearing emaciated and weak

    Image credits: Pomagam

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    Although she was rescued months ago, her parents allegedly told neighbors that she had been missing since she was just 15 years old in 1998.

    Her story has only now gained widespread attention, both in Poland and internationally, after being first reported by local outlet Fakt.

    Since her rescue, the Chorzów prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation and released a statement on Tuesday, October 14. 

    Woman in floral dress standing indoors, appearing concerned after being missing and found emaciated for 27 years.

    Image credits: Fakt

    According to authorities, Mirella spoke with investigators and recounted her experiences over the past 27 years.

    In her statement, she claimed she was “not held against her will,” though she also testified that she “had not left the apartment for 27 years.”

    In an interview with Fakt, Mirella revealed that she had not stepped outside the doors of her home, not even into the residence’s attached yard, for all those years.

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    Prosecutors are investigating the case, looking for signs of “psychological and physical” exploitation

    Police officer escorting an emaciated woman, missing for 27 years, towards an ambulance in an outdoor setting.

    Image credits: Pomagam

    Comment by Tammi Mocny discussing doubts about a woman missing for 27 years who was found emaciated and reunited with parents.

    “I don’t remember. I haven’t gone out for a long time, I can’t remember.”

    She said the same to police, who noted that despite signs of prolonged confinement, Mirella was unable to provide a clear explanation for why she did not consider her situation to be captivity.

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    According to local prosecutor Sabina Kuśmierska, “The victim herself testified that she had not left the apartment for 27 years. She was unable to logically explain why.”

    Woman sitting on couch in a small room, appearing emaciated after being missing for 27 years, with household items nearby.

    Image credits: Fakt

    “We will assess whether a crime was committed by examining all the circumstances… We are collecting evidence and will verify all statements.”

    “There are many threads in this case; we have not yet interviewed her parents or neighbors. We are conducting the investigation for possible psychological and physical a**se,” she concluded.

    The 42-year-old claimed that she was not held captive by her parents “against her will” 

    Yellow ambulance parked on a street, related to the woman emaciated after being missing for 27 years story.

    Image credits: Pomagam

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    Before her disappearance, in January 1998, Mirella’s parents, now in their 80s, abruptly requested that her high school authorities withdraw her from enrollment.

    Years later, shedding more light on the situation and her school years, Marek Planta, principal of Mirella’s primary school, told Fakt, “There was nothing wrong with her.”

    “Mirella was our student, she attended for eight years, and there were no problems with her. She graduated from our primary school in 1997 with good results.”

    Emaciated woman’s feet showing severe skin damage and swelling after being missing for 27 years and recently found.

    Image credits: Pomagam

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    Comment on woman missing for 27 years, found emaciated, discussing her mental and physical recovery needs.

    He added, “These results allowed her to go to high school. She was a healthy person… I even spoke with her former teacher, who confirmed that the girl had no emotional or other problems… And I absolutely don’t see anything disturbing about her behavior.”

    However, Marek shared that at the time of Mirella’s alleged disappearance, up until 1999, the Polish education system did not raise concerns over students dropping out of high school.

    Mirella was abruptly withdrawn from high school at her parents’ request, despite there being “nothing wrong with her”

    Three women standing indoors in coats and jackets, related to woman missing for 27 years found emaciated story.

    Image credits: Fakt

    Principal Planta admitted that the situation almost seemed unbelievable.

    “There was no problem that would have alerted us, the teachers, to the fact that something was wrong.”

    As Mirella insisted that her parents were not her captors all these years, netizens were left with more questions than answers.

    Man in dark blazer reviewing documents indoors, related to woman missing for 27 years found emaciated story.

    Image credits: Fakt

    Some argued that after spending 27 years dependent on her parents, the woman could be exhibiting symptoms of Stockholm syndrome, where a person “forms emotional bonds with their captor and may even defend even though they’re still in danger or being controlled.”

    One user weighed in, writing, “Stockholm syndrome possible. Her mom is 81 years old, the dad leaves the house, there’s no mention of her being locked up, she can leave if she wants to. Weird story.”

    Mirella was rescued by police in July after a neighbor reported a heated quarrel at the residence

    Entrance to a medical and psychological testing facility in Poland, related to a woman missing and found emaciated case.

    Image credits: TVP3 Katowice / YouTube

    “That’s physical and mental a**se. This young lady had no life outside. Her mindset is living the way her parents wanted it done and she knew nothing else. She needs therapy to realize she was a**sed and get healthy,” commented another.

    One neighbor called the police on July 29, reporting loud voices coming from the apartment.

    Man wearing glasses and black jacket giving interview near ambulance about woman missing for 27 years found emaciated

    Image credits: TVP3 Katowice / YouTube

    When authorities arrived, they escorted a frail and emaciated Mirella out and helped her into an ambulance after seeing her deteriorated condition.

    Reportedly, Mirella spent about two months in the hospital recovering and, after her discharge, was sent back to her parents’ home amid the ongoing investigation.

    Her neighbors later launched a fundraiser titled Locked for 30 Years in a Small Room, aiming to help cover Mirella’s mental and physical health treatment, as well as her living expenses.

    A residential apartment building in autumn with trees outside, related to woman missing for 27 years found emaciated.

    Image credits: TVP3 Katowice / YouTube

    Under Polish law, if her parents are found guilty of exploitation, they could face up to five years in prison.

    “Unbelievably cruel. How could anyone do that to their own child for nearly three decades?” expressed one enraged user online 

    Comment from Leslie Torres expressing disbelief by saying this story doesn’t add up in a text box.

    Comment discussing the possibility of Stockholm syndrome in a woman whose parents reported her missing for 27 years.

    Comment by a top fan named Jodes Kristine discussing the need to investigate family in missing person cases.

    Comment box showing a user named Kathleen Jones expressing anger towards the parents of a woman missing for 27 years found emaciated.

    Comment text from William Ash reacting to a story about a woman missing for 27 years, comparing it to a Lifetime channel movie.

    Alt text: Social media comment expressing heartbreak over woman missing for 27 years found emaciated and breaking silence.

    Comment by Drea Cashéy discussing a woman found emaciated after being missing for 27 years and sent back home.

    Comment by Regina Bruce expressing concern for a woman missing for 27 years, found emaciated and needing help.

    Comment text on a social media post expressing sympathy for a woman missing for 27 years, now found emaciated.

    Comment by Favor Ekele on social media discussing emotional abuse related to a woman missing for 27 years.

    Comment by Timja Abrams saying this is such a weird story on a social media platform.

    Comment by Blanca Perez criticizing parents’ mental state and lack of feelings toward their kids in a social media post.

    Comment expressing heartbreak and prayers for healing and justice related to woman missing for 27 years found emaciated.

    Comment text on a light background saying some families are wicked, expressing strong opinion about family behavior.

    Comment from Lauren Settimi questioning how she could protect them, expressing disbelief at the crazy situation.

    Woman whose parents said she was missing for 27 years sharing her story after being found emaciated in a social media comment.

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    Amita Kumari

    Amita Kumari

    Author, News Writer

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    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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    Amita Kumari

    Amita Kumari

    Author, News Writer

    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

    Donata Leskauskaitė

    Donata Leskauskaitė

    Author, Community member

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    Hey there! I'm a Visual Editor in News team. My responsibility is to ensure that you can read the story not just through text, but also through photos. I get to work with a variety of topics ranging from celebrity drama to mind-blowing Nasa cosmic news. And let me tell you, that's what makes this job an absolute blast! Outside of work, you can find me sweating it out in dance classes or unleashing my creativity by drawing and creating digital paintings of different characters that lives in my head. I also love spending time outdoors and play board games with my friends.

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    Donata Leskauskaitė

    Donata Leskauskaitė

    Author, Community member

    Hey there! I'm a Visual Editor in News team. My responsibility is to ensure that you can read the story not just through text, but also through photos. I get to work with a variety of topics ranging from celebrity drama to mind-blowing Nasa cosmic news. And let me tell you, that's what makes this job an absolute blast! Outside of work, you can find me sweating it out in dance classes or unleashing my creativity by drawing and creating digital paintings of different characters that lives in my head. I also love spending time outdoors and play board games with my friends.

    What do you think ?
    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She had horrible wounds and infections on her legs and feet. Just the fact that her parents didn't take her in for medical care screams a buse. Returning her to that home is abetting that a buse. Unbelievable.

    Tyke
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I fully believe this was a***e and the parents are guilty. However, with regards recent care (or lack of it)... her parents are in their 80s, they still haven't been interviewed, which is odd. Do they have dementia? Are they capable of getting her medical care? We don't know. We do not know the facts.

    Load More Replies...
    Moira
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Could she had some mental disorder that her parents used to keep her kidnapped and making her believe it was for her own good? Maybe is the reason she still thinks she was not a bused?

    TCW Sam Vimes
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stockholm syndrome is not a real thing. Maybe look it up...

    JB
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome I can agree with you that it isn’t a diagnosed condition according to the strict criteria requirements of medical diagnosis. But it exists as a theory to explain symptoms of people who have established an emotional relationship with their captor(s). However, I don’t see how this situation would fit within the boundaries of the theory. These were her parents; presumably the emotional bonds were already in place before the potential abūse started happening.

    Load More Replies...
    Mel in Georgia
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She had horrible wounds and infections on her legs and feet. Just the fact that her parents didn't take her in for medical care screams a buse. Returning her to that home is abetting that a buse. Unbelievable.

    Tyke
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I fully believe this was a***e and the parents are guilty. However, with regards recent care (or lack of it)... her parents are in their 80s, they still haven't been interviewed, which is odd. Do they have dementia? Are they capable of getting her medical care? We don't know. We do not know the facts.

    Load More Replies...
    Moira
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Could she had some mental disorder that her parents used to keep her kidnapped and making her believe it was for her own good? Maybe is the reason she still thinks she was not a bused?

    TCW Sam Vimes
    Community Member
    1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stockholm syndrome is not a real thing. Maybe look it up...

    JB
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome I can agree with you that it isn’t a diagnosed condition according to the strict criteria requirements of medical diagnosis. But it exists as a theory to explain symptoms of people who have established an emotional relationship with their captor(s). However, I don’t see how this situation would fit within the boundaries of the theory. These were her parents; presumably the emotional bonds were already in place before the potential abūse started happening.

    Load More Replies...
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