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On the night of October 2, 2003, 16-year-old Monica Carrasco seemingly vanished into thin air from her relatives' home in Balmorhea, Texas. She had recently moved in with her aunt and uncle after her mother suffered a stroke, and though she was adjusting to a new environment, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. But by morning, Monica was gone—her bed neatly made, her Bible missing, and no trace of her anywhere.

Authorities were baffled. There were no signs of forced entry, no evidence of a struggle. Monica reportedly left without shoes, money, or extra clothing. Did she walk away voluntarily? Or was she taken? Despite extensive searches in the vast West Texas desert, no clue surfaced about her whereabouts.

Adding to the mystery, conflicting stories emerged about Monica’s state of mind before she disappeared. Some claimed she was struggling with depression and may have wandered off, while others believe something far more sinister happened that night. How does a teenage girl disappear without a trace? Was she lured away, or was someone inside the house responsible?

Decades later, Monica’s case remains one of Texas' most puzzling disappearances. With new eyes on the investigation and renewed efforts to uncover the truth, will answers finally surface? Or will Monica Carrasco remain a ghost in the desert, lost to time?

Join Arlene and Leah as we peel back the layers of this chilling case, examining the clues, the theories, and the haunting question: What happened to Monica Carrasco?

Show Notes: 

Without a Trace: The Search for Monica Carrasco – Part 1

Without a Trace: The Story of Monica Carrasco – Part 2

Without a Trace: The Story of Monica Carrasco – Part 3

Monica Carrasco’s Mysterious Disappearance Reported in 2003

FBI ViCAP: Missing Person – Monica Cassandra Carrasco

Weekend-Long Search for Missing Teen Monica Carrasco Ends Without Answers

DPS Asking for Help Solving the 2003 Disappearance of Monica Carrasco

Reeves County Sheriff Reopens the Monica Carrasco Case

A Small-Town Texas Teen Disappeared in the Middle of the Night

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