On April 1, 2014, the two women set out to hike the popular Pianista Trail. They left around late morning, dressed for a short outing and carrying only light backpacks. They never returned.
Concern grew quickly. When they missed a scheduled tour and failed to come home that evening, their host family reported them missing. Authorities launched a large-scale search, involving helicopters, dogs, and even support from Dutch officials. For ten days, the area was scoured—but there was no sign of Kris or Lisanne.
Weeks later, a major clue surfaced: a local woman discovered a blue backpack near a river in the remote area of Alto Romero. Inside were the women’s phones, a camera, sunglasses, and personal items. The discovery reignited the search—and added even more questions.
Phone records showed that emergency numbers had been dialed over 80 times, beginning just hours after their hike started. Only one call briefly connected. After several days, Kris’s phone was accessed with the wrong PIN multiple times, possibly suggesting that Lisanne was trying to use it under distressing circumstances.
The camera found in the bag contained photos from their hike, showing the two smiling and enjoying the trail. But seven days later, the device was turned on again—this time at night. Over 90 photos were taken, mostly dark, showing jungle scenery, stones, and in some cases, unexplained objects. One image appeared to show damage to part of Kris’s head, though the details remain unclear.
On June 19, search teams made another heartbreaking discovery: human remains. A boot containing part of a foot was found, along with a bone fragment. DNA testing confirmed they belonged to Kris and Lisanne.
Authorities suggested the women may have fallen while trying to cross a makeshift bridge deep in the forest. But this theory was never confirmed by conclusive evidence. Many of the recovered remains did not offer clear insight into how they died.
The lack of answers has led to ongoing speculation. Some believe the women got lost and were unable to find their way back. Others have proposed alternative theories, but without hard evidence, the case remains unsolved.
To this day, the story of Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon continues to resonate. It’s a deeply moving reminder of how quickly a dream trip can turn into a life-threatening situation, even for well-prepared travelers. Their disappearance sparked conversations around wilderness safety, emergency preparedness, and the importance of caution in unfamiliar terrain.
Though the full story may never be known, the legacy of Kris and Lisanne lives on—in the memories of their loved ones and in the continued hope that one day, more answers will come to light.
