Family Finds ‘Missing’ Man After Spotting Him in the Background of a Viral TikTok Video
CHICLAYO, PERU — In a story that feels straight out of a movie, a man reported missing for two years was found alive after his family recognized him in the background of a viral TikTok video. The discovery brought an unexpected resolution to a long-running mystery that had haunted his relatives in Colombia.
TikTok Clip Solves Two-Year Mystery
Diego Londoño, a 41-year-old musician from Colombia, vanished without a trace in 2023 while living abroad. His family spent years searching — until one video changed everything. A content creator, Amy Solano, unknowingly captured Londoño while filming a video in the city of Chiclayo, Peru, and posted it to her TikTok account @amysolanogutierrez on September 25.
After viewers began to recognize him, the video went viral, prompting police to launch a search that ultimately confirmed his identity. According to reports, Londoño had been living quietly in Peru, making a living by selling handmade bronze and copper crafts.
A Family’s Relief, but No Plans to Return Home
Authorities said they contacted Londoño’s family after locating him. He spent one night in custody with the Peruvian National Police (PNP), where he spoke by phone with his sisters Olga, Martha, and Lucía, confirming that he was safe.
However, police revealed that Londoño told them he does not plan to return to Colombia immediately. “He himself said that he does not want to return to his country,” officials told RPP News, adding that he was not in danger and appeared to be in good health.
@amysolanogutierrez Yo quería hacer un video del nuevo pantalón Elisa de Rafaela Ecuador pero Dios tenía otros planes…
“I’m Not Like Other People,” Says Londoño
Speaking with Éxito Noticias, Londoño said his life had taken a more unconventional turn. “It’s difficult for me to explain that I’m not like other people,” he said. “From here to Lima and from there back to Colombia — I need to work a little. I almost never have plans.”
Officials said he declined a psychological evaluation but appeared “asymptomatic” and clear-minded during questioning. Police described him as a polyglot who travels between cities in Peru, living modestly and relying on his craftwork.
Social Media’s Unexpected Power
For content creator Amy Solano, the viral discovery was pure coincidence. She told local media that she never expected her video to lead to the end of a missing-person case. “I was just filming everyday life,” she said. “I didn’t realize he was someone’s family member who had been missing for years.”
The story has since spread across Latin America, highlighting how social media’s global reach can sometimes solve mysteries that traditional investigations cannot.
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