HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLA - A Riverview man says he has no plans on returning from Costa Rica, right now, as he desperately searches for answers in his sister's disappearance.
It has been 5 days since anyone has heard from Carla Stefaniak. Her family fears the worst because they said she always communicates and checks social media so this is very unusual of her.
Carlos Caicedo has been in the country since Friday. He spoke to ABC Action News from his hotel room, Sunday evening.
"When I arrived in Costa Rica, I started crying because, you know, I felt like something happened here," Caicedo said.
Caicedo said he has passed by the embassy and police station, hoping for answers, but also because he wanted to speak with people face to face.
"I'm not a detective. I'm not a private investigator so the little I can do makes me feel better inside...," Caicedo said.
He said one of the biggest challenges for the family is gathering information. They hope more people will help them because they feel they are in the dark, praying authorities are looking at things like cell phone records -anything to find her.
"I’m going to stay here as long as it takes. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. It’s my sister," Caicedo said.
Caicedo said he met a security guard, who had seen his sister, before she disappeared.
"I almost started crying," Caicedo said.
Caicedo said he has a message for his sister tonight. He said they will do anything to bring her home and they love her.
The U.S. Department of State offers various tips and suggestions for people traveling overseas or ways to contact your loved one if there is an emergency. For more information go to:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/locate-loved-one-abroad.html.
