In early January 1994, a 23-year-old Italian entertainer and writer vanished without a trace while visiting New Orleans, Louisiana. Born into a family famous in the entertainment world, she had briefly appeared on Italian television before embarking on a creative journey that led to her mysterious disappearance. More than three decades later, the case remains one of the most baffling cold cases, with unanswered questions and enduring public fascination.
🎬 Rising Star Turned Writer’s Unexplained Disappearance
Ylenia Carrisi — known in Italy for her television role akin to a “letter turner” on a popular game show — decided to pursue writing in the early 1990s. After traveling through Central and North America, she checked into a modest hotel near the French Quarter in New Orleans in late December 1993, planning to gather inspiration for her first novel.
However, just a week after her arrival, Carrisi left her hotel one morning and never returned. Concern grew when family members back in Europe received no contact, leading to her being reported missing mid-January.
🔍 Confusing Leads and Last Known Sightings
During the early investigation, a street musician known to Carrisi was identified as the last person seen with her, though he denied involvement and was never charged. Her personal effects — including a backpack and travel documents — remained at the hotel.
A troubling potential sighting emerged when two security guards claimed they saw a woman fitting her description near the Mississippi River late at night, reportedly entering the water and then disappearing beneath the surface. No body was ever recovered, and authorities could not confirm the identity of the woman.
💭 Long-Running Mystery and Family Hope
Despite some believing she may have drowned, many theories have circulated over the years, and numerous unverified sightings have been reported in various locations. Officially, Carrisi was declared presumed dead by an Italian court in 2013, though her mother has publicly held onto hope that her daughter might still be alive somewhere.
