A Long-Awaited Outcome: Mariano Appears in Córdoba
On Friday, September 4, 2026, the news that Mariano Martínez's family had been anxiously awaiting became a reality: the 21-year-old architecture student at the National University of La Plata (UNLP) was found alive in the town of La Calera, about 16 kilometers from the capital of Córdoba province. The discovery came after a call to 911 alerted authorities to his whereabouts.
Juan Pablo Quinteros, the Security Minister of Córdoba, confirmed the news via his X (formerly Twitter) account, prompting a sigh of relief across the community that had followed the case with concern.
“He was found safe and sound, in good health. He had arrived in Córdoba of his own free will,” the official stated.
What Happened to Mariano?
According to initial reports, the young man was in good physical condition and was assisted by psychologists before being transferred to the Córdoba Police Headquarters, where he reunited with his father, Gustavo, who had traveled from Berazategui to embrace him.
His mother, Alicia, who fainted upon hearing the news due to overwhelming emotion, later expressed her joy and gratitude to the police for their efforts.
The Disappearance That Shook La Plata
Mariano was last seen on Monday, August 31, 2026, when he left his home in Berazategui at 8:00 a.m. heading to university. However, at 10:00 a.m., he left class saying he felt unwell, leaving his belongings in the classroom. From that moment, all trace of him was lost.
The Justice of Ensenada issued a search request, and a search operation was deployed, including the review of security cameras and SUBE card records (the public transportation card used in Buenos Aires). Investigators established that Mariano had been seen in Punta Lara, La Plata, and Constitución (Buenos Aires City), indicating he was moving toward the interior of the country.
The Clue That Led to the Discovery
On Thursday, September 3, a bookstore employee in Córdoba reported seeing him. But it was the testimony of a sushi shop employee in the Cofico neighborhood that proved crucial: the woman recounted that Mariano left his resume—a photocopy with a woman's name crossed out and replaced by his own in handwriting—and said he had moved to Córdoba, that he lived with an aunt, and that he had no phone.
That information, combined with the 911 call, led to the discovery on Friday in La Calera, a small mountain town very close to Córdoba city.
A Heartwarming Reunion
The case of Mariano Martínez had a happy ending, but it highlighted the importance of swift action by the justice system and citizen cooperation. The family, who endured days of anguish, now celebrates the reunion.
From the Córdoba Police, it was reported that the young man is stable and will receive psychological support. In the coming hours, more details are expected about the reasons that led him to travel to Córdoba, although everything indicates it was a voluntary decision.
The news was received with relief in the Berazategui community and at UNLP, where classmates and teachers had organized prayer chains and dissemination of the search request.
Key Case Details
- Person: Mariano Martínez, 21 years old, architecture student (UNLP).
- Residence: Berazategui, Buenos Aires province.
- Disappearance: Monday, August 31, 2026, 8:00 a.m.
- Discovery: Friday, September 4, 2026, in La Calera, Córdoba.
- Status: Safe and sound, in good health.
- Confirmation: Security Minister of Córdoba, Juan Pablo Quinteros.