By Claudia Rivera Cotto, Enlace Latino NC
Originally published on April 1, 2025
The Durham community continues to rally in the search for Erendira Villeda Flores, a 30-year-old Latina mother who disappeared without a trace on Nov. 28, 2024.
Erendira was reported missing to the Durham Police Department on Dec. 13.
Almost four months after her disappearance, on Saturday, March 29, family members, neighbors and volunteers joined together in a collective search day, with the aim of hoping to find clues that may clarify his whereabouts.
“I saw the posts about Erendira’s disappearance on social media, and something inside me told me I had to act. As a woman, as a mother, I couldn’t remain indifferent to this situation,” she told Enlace Latino NC Ale Ponce, one of the community organizers, who participated in the search.
From early in the morning, volunteers toured various nearby areas, including a river and a trail between the Hispanic Center and the Lakewood Apartments, where Erendira lived.
They also posted signs with her photo on poles and marked trees with red thread, a symbol Erendira’s family chose for the search, as the color red was her favorite.
Ponce, who is part of the Durham Community Parents Forum, coordinated the search with community organizers. Alexandra Valladares and Mercedes Montoya, in collaboration with Erendira’s family.
“I think someone needs to know something, and we can’t remain silent. We need someone to dare to speak out of respect for the family and Erendira,” said Ponce, who urged the community to remain steadfast in their search for answers.
Concern Over Lack of Progress in Investigation
Nearly four months after Erendira’s disappearance, local authorities have yet to provide any significant information about the case.
The Durham Police Department responded to Enlace Latino NC with a brief report. They requested public collaboration, but did not offer details on the progress of the investigation.
However, the lack of concrete progress has generated growing concern among family members and the community.
Detective Rut Ávila, a bilingual officer in Durham, was not officially assigned to the case. But days after the community search, she volunteered to assist Detective Jorgenson, community organizer Valladares told this outlet.
Their participation was driven, in large part, by the community, which highlighted the need to have with bilingual staff to facilitate communication and advance research.
They Demand Answers About Erendira’s Partner
Erendira’s family points to her partner, Jerónimo Morales, as a possible key source of information.
“Let’s not stop until we find a certain person who has answers,” Erendira’s brother said to Enlace Latino NC, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons.
“I ask you a favor: don’t stop. I appreciate your help, and I want us to keep at it until we find that person,” he added.
Relatives revealed to community organizers that Morales had threatened Erendira on previous occasions. Furthermore, after her disappearance, Morales reportedly requested that they get rid of her belongings and, days later, tried to borrow money. He has also remained silent since Erendira disappeared, which has increased concern among the couple’s acquaintances.
Rosalinda Guerrero Fuentes, who met Morales through her husband, with whom she worked in the construction industry during the pandemic, said that after Erendira disappeared, Morales stopped responding to her husband’s messages, something that had never happened before.
“He didn’t answer any of her messages when before he would answer immediately,” Guerrero Fuentes told Enlace Latino NC. “Then he called her and said the phone was off.”
Eréndira’s community and family continue to press for clarification of Morales’ role and answers about her disappearance.
Family Support
Even though days continue to pass without answers about Erendira’s whereabouts, her family continues to cling to the hope of finding her.
The community, for its part, aims to locate Erendira while providing comfort and support to her loved ones, including her children.
On Saturday, upon arriving at the apartments where Erendira lived, after talking with the neighbors of the area, they joined in the interpretation of a song originating from a children’s book, Lupita and Her Magical Dreams, written by Carolina Fonseca Jiménez.
“The book teaches us that it doesn’t matter if there are barriers, those barriers we make human, but unity and love are what unite us,” Fonseca Jiménez told the community and family.
“So we’re simply here today to support, to offer our energy of love. And may the universe guide us so we can find it and bring peace to the children,” she added.
The community search continues
A ceremony of faith and love will be held on Sunday, April 6, followed by a search for Erendira.
Qualified “Love Rally/Open Skies and the Search for Erendira,” the tour along Highway 98 seeks to obtain clues about the young mother’s whereabouts.
El event’s audience will be at 10 a.m. at 504 W. Chapel Hill St in Durham.
