Where is Paola Miranda Rosa? Woman missing after swimming in alligator-infested river
In December 2021, the family of 31-year-old Paola Miranda-Rosa reported her missing to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, sparking a search for the woman. Now, three weeks later, police may have finally got a lead thanks to a group of hikers. The footage could be the key to the fate of Rosa, as it is the last-known visual of her. The police have now released the footage to the public, in hopes that more people may recognize her and help them connect the dots.
While missing people cases have dominated the news in recent months, news from Florida has been of particular interest. In March 2021, police recovered the remains of Miya Marcano weeks after the Orlando student was first reported missing. Florida is also the last-known location of Brian Laundrie, whose remains were recovered from the Carlton Reserve in October, months after he first became a national sensation.
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The case for Rosa is still being treated as a missing person one, indicating police believe she still may be alive, As of January 5, 2022, the Sheriff's Office in conjunction with The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and AGG Marine deputies have now swarmed the Wekiva Springs Park, in hope of locating Rosa. Thanks to the tip, it appears they may have a major lead.
Where is Paola Miranda-Rosa?
Worryingly, authorities note Rosa has bipolar disorder and has made threats of self-harm in the past. It's unclear if those threats have anything to do with her last-known location, but her family reportedly say she hasn't made any recently. Nonetheless, police are now beginning a major search of the Wekiva Springs Park, Rosa's last known location. Some hikers snapped photos and a video of Rosa waddling in the Wekiva River on December 18, 2021.
Rosa's family has positively identified her in the footage, which is extremely worrying as the river is known to be infested with alligators. Back in 2015, another Orlando woman lost part of her right arm after swimming in the river. However, park officials reportedly said attacks are rare, giving the family hope that Rosa may still be unharmed. The footage shows Rosa swimming solo and was taken a day after last saw her at a relative's apartment in Orlando.
Rosa's vehicle was located in the park days after she was first reported missing, and now authorities have a more concrete idea of where to search in the 7,000-acre state park. As of January 6, they've deployed a high-intensity underwater camera to help in their search, and are also combing the banks along the river for clues.
Rosa is feet 10 inches tall and weighs 145 pounds. She has red hair and brown eyes. If anyone has seen her, or knows anything about her whereabouts, you are encouraged to call the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at 407-348-2222.