An Oakland, California woman’s determination paid off after a decades-long investigation helped bring her family back together with her uncle, who was abducted from a park in West Oakland in 1951. Luis Armando Albino was just 6 years old when he was taken from Jefferson Square Park by a Spanish-speaking woman who offered to buy him candy. The woman then took him to the East Coast where he was raised. Although the woman who abducted Albino has since passed away, his niece, Alida Alequin, never gave up hope of finding him, even after the Oakland Police Department and the FBI had failed to locate him.
Alequin decided to take an online DNA test for fun in 2020, and was surprised to find a 22% match with a man on the East Coast who turned out to be her missing uncle. After reaching out to the man with no response, Alequin and her daughter compared pictures of him with family members, noting a strong resemblance to her other uncles and grandmother. Ultimately, Albino was located, and DNA samples from him, Alequin’s mother, and her uncle Roger confirmed that he was indeed their missing relative.
The information was provided to the Oakland Police Department and the FBI, who closed the missing persons case for Luis Albino while continuing to investigate the kidnapping. Alequin’s dedication to finding her uncle was praised by the police, with officials stating that her investigation played an essential role in reuniting the family. With the assistance of the FBI, Albino traveled to Oakland with his family and met with Alequin and other relatives, marking the first time he had seen them since his abduction in 1951.
During the emotional reunion, Alequin, her mother, and uncle Roger shared memories of the day of the kidnapping and caught up on lost time. Albino returned for a three-week visit in July, marking the last time he would see his brother, Roger, who passed away in August. The reunited family shared a long and tight hug, shedding tears of joy once the investigators had left. Despite the challenges and years of separation, the two brothers were able to make up for lost time and reconnect in the final months before Roger’s passing.
The family’s resilience and commitment to finding their missing relative is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination. Alequin’s decision to take an online DNA test ultimately led to the discovery of her long-lost uncle, bringing the family back together after over seven decades apart. The closure of the missing persons case for Luis Albino by the Oakland Police Department is a significant milestone, although the kidnapping remains under investigation by the FBI and local authorities. The emotional reunion and bittersweet farewell between the reunited brothers serve as a reminder of the enduring bonds of family and the strength of love and hope that can overcome even the longest separations.
