Pregnant Woman Found Dead in Forest After Weeklong Disappearance
In a shocking turn of events, the body of 19-year-old Ana-Maria Guja has been discovered in a forest, near a stream, after she had been missing for over a week. The young woman was last seen getting into a car with a man, believed to be a former police officer. Her body was found eight days later, thrown into a dirt pit and concealed with branches. The tragic killing of Ana-Maria, who was studying pedagogy, has sent shockwaves throughout Moldova.
The search for Ana-Maria mobilized a community effort, with over 900 people assisting the police in scouring the city of Orhei, located approximately 30 miles from the capital Chisinau. Volunteers were seen combing through fields and woodland in the hopes of finding her alive. However, after five days, police confirmed the discovery of her remains in a forest near the village of Chițcanii, close to a stream.
Local media reports reveal that Ana-Maria was a student at the Orhei Pedagogical College and was six months pregnant at the time of her disappearance. According to her mother, on the evening she went missing, Ana-Maria accidentally got into the wrong car instead of the one arranged by her boyfriend. Authorities have yet to confirm this information.
In a significant development, a 45-year-old man, who is a former police officer, has been arrested in connection with Ana-Maria’s murder. The suspect’s picture has been released by the police, who have noted that he has drastically changed his appearance over time. They have urged anyone who may have been harassed by him in the past to come forward with information. During searches of the suspect’s home and car, officers discovered various items belonging to women. The police have also shared a CCTV photo of the suspect driving another woman in his car, appealing for her to come forward.
As the investigation continues, authorities have not yet provided further details about Ana-Maria’s cause of death or the progress of the investigation. In the midst of their grief, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Ana-Maria’s family with the costs of her funeral.
