Groningse Diana (49) Missing on La Gomera: 'I Fear the Worst'

la gomera, canary islands - Diana Birza from Groningen has been missing on the Canarian Island La Gomera since September 7. Friends are planning to search for her. Read more on Telegraaf.nl.

Our dear friend Diana has been missing on La Gomera since September 7,” her friends wrote on the fundraising site Gofundme. Diana was on vacation on the island. When one of our friends traveled to La Gomera at Diana's request, she did not find her there. Diana was not at the accommodation upon arrival. Diana's belongings such as her phone, keys, credit card, and passport were found in her apartment along with many stones and other objects.

Diana's rental car was found on September 7 near Roque de Agando, a mountainous area between Valle Gran Rey and San Sebastian, the two larger municipalities on the sparsely populated island. The sergeant of the Guardia Civil in Valle Gran Rey mentioned that she was also seen by several island residents that day. "Yes, people knew her there," said her friend Jasper Daams (50). "She stood out. Although I don't have Facebook, people in Facebook groups said they had seen her."

"Since day one of her disappearance, we have been searching for Diana," said the sergeant of the Guardia Civil. "We search for her every day; even this morning a unit was out looking. The starting point for the searches is always her car, from there, three to four paths lead across the island. The challenge is that it is a mountainous island with steep slopes and ravines. Volunteers who are familiar with the mountain terrain guide us and are instrumental in the investigation. We have searched with dogs and used a helicopter, but we have not found Diana yet."

The sergeant remains persistent, stating, "There is a possibility that she is still alive. She may be staying with someone, for example. The judicial police have requested authorization from the court to analyze her phone data to see whom she has been in contact with in recent days. Meanwhile, we will continue searching until we find her. I maintain good communication with Patricia, a friend of hers in the Netherlands, and the Dutch police, keeping them continuously informed."

Signi Foundation will also be present in the area from Saturday for a week to assist in the search with a team of five people and three search dogs. Esther Neerbos from Signi Foundation said, "Our dogs are specially trained to locate people, whether dead or alive. We will also bring two drones to extend our search capabilities in areas where the dogs cannot reach." Last Saturday, a large group of around a hundred local volunteers, along with the Guardia Civil and the military, participated in the search. Neerbos mentioned, "Specialized dogs have not yet been used, but we have extensive experience in these search operations, giving us hope."

So far, 7340 euros have been raised by 216 donors. Even her ex-boyfriend Daams hopes fervently for her discovery, "I was her boyfriend; we were in a relationship for seven years." He mentioned that since March, things had been going downhill for his girlfriend. "Some people in her close circle have passed away, which may have triggered a downward spiral for Diana. We are terribly worried," stated her friends on the search campaign page.

"Her father suffered a stroke on March 5, contact between them was severed, and Diana became increasingly distraught," Jasper recounted. "Her dog also died, and her father succumbed to cancer. She had to deal with one blow after another. Meanwhile, she has been diagnosed with PTSD and manic depression. I tried to help her get treatment, but she refused medications and hospitalization. A month ago, in a state of psychosis, she ended our relationship. Our vacation to Costa Rica was canceled, and on August 23, she left for La Gomera."

The friend who recently went to visit her there "did not find her," Jasper said. "On September 7, people still saw her near the rock where her car was found. I fear the worst; she may have fallen down there. It's treacherous terrain."

He will also travel to La Gomera on Friday. "I will go with a good friend. Yes, we will search too. I will bring a drone and do everything possible to find her. I will comb through all cliffs and ravines within an hour’s radius. We must find her. I trust Signi and their dog team. They will also have a drone. We will stay for ten days, but if needed, I will stay longer until I find her. Diana was the most lovely girl you can imagine."