Saipan FALOMA & MALEINA LUHK: Missing from As Tao, Saipan - 25 May 2011 - Age 10 & 9

Faloma and her sister, Maleina, were last seen standing at the bus stop in their village of As Sao on the island of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands at 6:10 a.m. on May 25, 2011. They were sitting on a cement slab waiting for the 6:30 bus to take them to Kagman Elementary School.

They missed the bus, however, and have never been heard from again. When the girls failed to arrive at school, their teachers marked them absent. Their families didn't realize they were missing until 3:30 that afternoon, when they didn't come home as scheduled. Their disappearances were reported to the police at 5:30 p.m.

Faloma and Maleina were both carrying backpacks at the time they vanished. One is described as dark-colored with the owner's name and telephone number written on the straps; the other is a purple Dora the Explorer pack with writing on the shoulder straps. Both backpacks disappeared along with the girls and they haven't been located.

Faloma and Maleina lived with their grandparents at the time of their disappearances; they had since 2007. At the time they went missing, their father was living on the island of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, and their mother lived in Guam.

Their mother returned to Saipan after the girls' disappearances to assist in the search. Investigators ruled out the sisters' parents and most of their other relatives as suspects in their cases.

Alan Santos Aguon, a former firefighter, is a person of interest in Meleina and Faloma's cases. He is related to them by marriage, and he refused to take a lie detector test about their disappearances. In 2012, Aguon was arrested for domestic violence in California. He remains in custody.

Authorities believe Faloma and Maleina were abducted by someone outside their family. An extensive search has turned up no sign of them and their cases remain unsolved.


Charley Project - http://charleyproject.org/case/faloma-luhk

FBI - https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/faloma-luhk

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the whereabouts of Faloma and Maleina Luhk.

FALOMA & MALEINA LUHK have been missing from As Tao, Saipan since 25 May 2011 - Age 10 & 9

Faloma and her sister, Maleina, were last seen standing at the bus stop in their village of As Sao on the island of Saipan in at 6:10 a.m. on May 25, 2011. They were waiting for the 6:30 bus to take them to Kagman Elementary School. They missed...

www.crimewatchers.net

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Faloma's photo is shown age-progressed to 15 years. They were last seen at the bus stop near their home in the village of As Tao, Saipan, on May 25, 2011. Faloma was last seen wearing a light green shirt with a butterfly design and blue jeans.

NCMEC - http://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1172939/1/screen

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Maleina's photo is shown age-progressed to 14 years. They were last seen at the bus stop near their home in the village of As Tao, Saipan, on May 25, 2011. Maleina was last seen wearing a white blouse and blue jeans. She has a birthmark on her left cheek.

NCMEC - http://www.missingkids.org/poster/NCMC/1172939/1/screen

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

FBI offers $25K reward in missing sisters case

FBI offers $25K reward in missing Luhk sisters' case

www.postguam.com

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the whereabouts of Faloma and Maleina Luhk.

Saturday marks the eighth anniversary of the girls disappearance from Saipan. It is also recognized as National Missing Children's Day.

Eight years later, the FBI and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Department of Public Safety (DPS) remain committed to find the missing girls.

 

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Luhk Sisters

Tips and information to find the Luhk sisters of As Teo Village, Saipan.

www.luhksisters.org

 

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Family marks 9th year of Luhk sisters’ disappearance

They were waiting for a school bus to take them to Kagman Elementary School. They missed the bus and were reported missing.

www.mvariety.com

NINE years ago, sisters Faloma, 10, and Maleina Luhk, 9, were last seen at the bus stop in As Teo at 6:10 a.m. on May 25, 2011.

They were waiting for a school bus to take them to Kagman Elementary School. They missed the bus and were reported missing.

Despite a massive local and federal law enforcement effort to locate them, they are still missing, and their cases remain unsolved.

Elbert Quitugua, the sisters’ grandfather, told Variety on Friday that there was no new information about his grandchildren.

“We continue to ask the community for any information regarding the disappearance of Faloma and Maleina,” he said. “If you have any information, please come forward.”

This year, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, he said the family could not go to church to attend a Mass to mark the ninth anniversary of the sisters’ disappearance.

 

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10 years later, FBI still looking for Luhk sisters, who went missing from Saipan bus stop

On the 10th anniversary of the disappearance of the Luhk sisters in Saipan, the FBI is asking for the public's help in solving the case.

www.guampdn.com

10 years later, FBI still looking for Luhk sisters, who went missing from Saipan bus stop​

On the 10th anniversary of the disappearance of the Luhk sisters in Saipan, the FBI is asking for the public's help in solving the case.

FBI Honolulu Division Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill issued a statement Tuesday saying authorities are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the whereabouts of the two sisters.

"For the past decade, the FBI has been dedicated to working with the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Public Safety to find the missing girls," Merrill said. "Ten years later, the FBI still maintains an open investigation on the matter and remains steadfast in its commitment to find the girls and exact justice."

 

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Luhk sisters vanished 11 years ago - Saipan Tribune

Today, Wednesday, marks the 11th year since sisters Maleina and Faloma Luhk mysteriously disappeared near their house in As Teo while waiting for a school bus, yet there’s still no trace of their whereabouts.

www.saipantribune.com

Luhk sisters vanished 11 years ago​

It’s been 11 years already, yet there remains no trace of the whereabouts of sisters Maleina and Faloma Luhk.

Today, Wednesday, marks the 11th year since the Luhk sisters mysteriously vanished near their house in As Teo in the early morning of May 25, 2011, while waiting for a school bus.

Maleina and Faloma would have been 20 and 21 years old now as they had just their birthdays last February.


Saipan Tribune visited yesterday afternoon the residence of the Luhk sisters’ grandfather, Elbert Quitugua, who had been taking care of the sisters in his house at that time. He was not home yesterday; it was learned that he had gone fishing. Quitugua’s wife said they will offer personal prayers today, Wednesday, at a makeshift shrine that their family had built on the spot where the children were last seen.

She said there is no development yet in the investigation as far as she knows.

As of press time yesterday, Saipan Tribune was still waiting for comments from the FBI.

FBI Honolulu Division special agent-in-charge Steven Merrill stated last year that they have been working with the CNMI Department of Public Safety for the past decade to find the missing girls.

Merrill said the FBI still considers the case an open investigation and remains steadfast in its commitment to finding the girls and exacting justice.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information regarding the sisters’ whereabouts.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

FBI’s $25K reward for info on Luhk sisters still available - Saipan Tribune

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is still offering a $25,000 reward that will lead to the recovery of sisters Maleina and Faloma Luhk, who were both reported missing in As Teo exactly 11 years ago yesterday.

www.saipantribune.com

FBI’s $25K reward for info on Luhk sisters still available​

The $25,000 reward that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had offered for information that will lead to the recovery of missing sisters Maleina and Faloma Luhk remains on the table, despite the passage of 11 years since the two went missing on May 25, 2011.

In response to Saipan Tribune’s request for comments and update about their investigation into the Luhk sisters’ mysterious disappearance, FBI special agent-in-charge Steven Merrill said yesterday that they are still seeking information from the public for the missing sisters.

“Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI Saipan Tip Line at (670) 322-6934 or FBI Honolulu’s 24-hour Tip Line at (808) 566-4300,” Merrill said.

 

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Faloma turns 22, Maleina, 21 - Saipan Tribune

Today, Feb. 9, 2023, would have been Faloma Q. Luhk’s 22nd birthday, while her sister, Maleina Q. Luhk, was supposed to turn 21 this Sunday, but there remains no trace of the pair’s whereabouts almost 12 years since disappearing from an As Teo bus stop.

www.saipantribune.com

Faloma turns 22, Maleina, 21​

Today, Feb. 9, 2023, would have been Faloma Q. Luhk’s 22nd birthday, while her sister, Maleina Q. Luhk, was supposed to turn 21 this Sunday, but there remains no trace of the pair’s whereabouts almost 12 years since disappearing from an As Teo bus stop.

Elbert Quitugua, the grandfather of the Luhk sisters, said yesterday that they will be offering prayers during the birthday of his granddaughters, who mysteriously disappeared in 2011.

Quitugua has not lost hope and continues to appeal to anyone in the community to help them and the authorities find the Luhk sisters.

He provided Saipan Tribune a picture of his granddaughters hugging each other, which was taken sometime before they disappeared.

“It’s a very powerful picture,” the grandfather said.



Quitugua said the Federal Bureau of Investigation still has a “person of interest” in its records and is still pursuing the matter. He said the FBI is still asking the public to help by providing information about the sisters’ disappearance.

Quitugua said they still believe that someone out there in the community holds critical information that could shed light on what happened to the sisters.

 

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"Please help us bring the girls home": Mother of missing Luhk sisters maintains hope 12 years later - KUAM.com-KUAM News: On Air. Online. On Demand.

www.kuam.com

"Please help us bring the girls home": Mother of missing Luhk sisters maintains hope 12 years later​

"It is true. Every day I wake up and I think of them all the time. Every second," said Jermain Quitugua.

Faloma and Maleina Luhk were last seen at the bus stop near their home in As Teo on Saipan on May 25, 2011. They were waiting for the school bus to arrive and have not been seen since that time. 12 years later, their mom, Jermain Quitugua, who now lives in Washington state, is still searching for answers.

"I am still not giving up hope. I wish and pray every single day for them to be found. For them to come home," she told KUAM.


Jermain tells us the investigation is still ongoing. At the time of this news report, KUAM was not able to receive comment from the FBI or local police amid Super Typhoon Mawar. Jermain recounts early memories of her kids: "Faloma was very quiet and shy. Then here comes her sister a few months later and grew up to be very tough and always taking care of her sister."

She says they always wanted to be by each other’s side. Their mom has this message for the community: "I just wanted to say thanks to everybody for all the prayers because I do feel it. It gives me strength to live every day. It gives me hope. And 12 years, you know, will this be the last year or do I have to wait another 12 years for answers? So I just want to ask anybody. Any type of information that you have, let us know. Please help us bring the girls home."

 

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Luhk sisters’ disappearance still baffles FBI, DPS

Tomorrow, Saturday, marks the 13th year when sisters Maleina and Faloma Q. Luhk mysteriously disappeared while waiting for a school bus near their residence in As Teo, yet there’s still

www.saipantribune.com

Luhk sisters’ disappearance still baffles FBI, DPS​

Tomorrow, Saturday, marks the 13th year when sisters Maleina and Faloma Q. Luhk mysteriously disappeared while waiting for a school bus near their residence in As Teo, yet there’s still no trace of their whereabouts.

Saipan Tribune visited Wednesday the spot in Santa Lourdes Road corner As Teo Drive, where the Luhk sisters were reportedly last seen at a bus stop waiting for a school bus in the morning of May 25, 2011. A makeshift shrine that the family of the sisters had built on the spot to offer prayers for them, was no longer there.

Maleina and Faloma were 9 and 10 years old at the time, respectively. Now, Maleina would have been 22 years old and Faloma 23.

The Luhk sisters’ grandfather, Elbert Quitugua, who had been taking care of the sisters at the time, declined yesterday Saipan Tribune’s request for an interview, saying they need to be private with their families.

Quitugua, however, advised Saipan Tribune to check out the Federal Bureau of Investigation for information.

As of press time yesterday, Saipan Tribune was still waiting for comments from the FBI.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that will lead to the sisters’ whereabouts.

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Anthony I. Macaranas said in an interview last week that it is his understanding that the case is still open.

“We’re still open for any information that comes in,” Macaranas said.

The commissioner said once they receive information, they will investigate or follow up on the case.

The FBI has been working with DPS for the past decade now to find the missing girls.

 

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‘Lack of new information in Luhk sisters’ case’

The lack of new information is the challenge that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is facing regarding the investigation into the disappearance of sisters Maleina and Faloma Q. Luhk 13

www.saipantribune.com

‘Lack of new information in Luhk sisters’ case’​

The lack of new information is the challenge that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is facing regarding the investigation into the disappearance of sisters Maleina and Faloma Q. Luhk 13 years ago, according to the FBI on Friday.

In response to Saipan Tribune’s inquiry, Joy van der Voort, who is the FBI-Honolulu Division acting public affairs/community outreach specialist, said they can confirm that the Luhk sisters’ case is still open and they continue to actively pursue any leads they may receive.


Maleina and Faloma were 9 and 10 years old when they were reportedly last seen at a bus stop in the morning of May 25, 2011. Maleina would have been 22 years old and Faloma 23 now.

Van der Voort said the cash reward for any information that will lead to the sisters’ location is still $25,000.

Meanwhile, Elbert Quitugua, the Luhk sisters’ grandfather, told Saipan Tribune yesterday he installed last Thursday at 6pm a new makeshift candle box on the spot in As Teo Drive corner Chalan Santa Lourdes, where his granddaughters were last seen.

When Saipan Tribune visited the spot Wednesday, the original makeshift candle box/shrine was no longer there.

Quitugua said yesterday that he replaced the broken glass on the old box, ordered a new one, and picked it up and installed it only last Thursday.

 

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FBI Seeks the Public’s Help in Finding Missing Children in Saipan | Federal Bureau of Investigation

As the 14th anniversary of their disappearance approaches, FBI Honolulu is encouraging the public to share any information they may have about what might’ve happened to Maleina and Faloma Luhk. The field office is also reminding the public that the Bureau is offering an award of up to $25,000...

www.fbi.gov

Maleina and Faloma Luhk vanished from a school bus stop in Saipan 14 years ago
On May 25, 2011, 9-year-old Maleina Luhk and her 10-year-old sister, Faloma, vanished from the island of Saipan while they waited to board a school bus.

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Department of Public Safety received a call that afternoon after the sisters failed to report to—or return home from—school. The FBI was brought in the same day to help find the girls.

But after more than a decade of searching—an effort conducted in lockstep with the community and federal and commonwealth partners—Faloma and Maleina are still missing.

As the 14th anniversary of their disappearance approaches, FBI Honolulu is encouraging the public to share any information they may have about what might’ve happened to the girls. The field office is also reminding the public that the Bureau is offering an award of up to $25,000 for information that leads to Faloma and Maleina’s whereabouts.



Investigators say additional clues in this case may come from across an ocean.

A large number of Micronesians have migrated to the continental United States—mainly to the Pacific Northwest, but also to states like Idaho and Texas. Since the Micronesian community's bonds are strong, a steady flow of individuals in the diaspora travel home to attend annual community events. Likewise, Saipan residents frequently travel to the continental U.S. to visit friends and loved ones.

Chatter between current and former Saipan residents naturally ensues—a phenomenon Park said is known as the "coconut wire." And, he said, "news travels fast." For this reason, the FBI is also asking anyone who might’ve heard information about Faloma and Maleina's whereabouts through the grapevine—on either side of the Pacific Ocean—to come forward.

"We want to reach out to those Micronesians that might have been here during that time or heard something," he said. "We want to see if they want to come forward, help us, help the family, bring closure, or give us some evidence that we can use."

If you have any information about Faloma and Maleina's whereabouts or what might’ve happened to them—even if you've already spoken with law enforcement about the case—we encourage you to contact the FBI.

You can submit tips by phone at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov. Tips may be shared anonymously, and no detail is too small to potentially help investigators solve this case.

"We believe there are people out there that know something," Bauer said. "No matter how big or how little it may be, it could be something that law enforcement can use in solving this mystery."

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

14 years ago, 2 girls on Saipan disappeared. Now aunt speaks out on solving the Luhk sisters' case

It’s been 14 years since the unexplained disappearance of sisters Faloma and Maleina Luhk from a school bus stop in As Teo village on Saipan and now their aunt is

www.guampdn.com

14 years ago, 2 girls on Saipan disappeared. Now aunt speaks out on solving the Luhk sisters' case​

It’s been 14 years since the unexplained disappearance of sisters Faloma and Maleina Luhk from a school bus stop in As Teo village on Saipan and now their aunt is speaking out that the key to solving the case is closer to home than anyone might think.

“I hope the FBI will reach out to me and I could give them some good leads to finding the girls,” their aunt Tina Palacios said. “Only one person knows what happened and where the girls are at. I truly believe that it’s a family member that took the girls.”

Palacios said the girls know better to get into a car with strangers.

“They knew the person, that’s why there was no screaming or running away. A stranger cannot take two young girls without a fight,” she added.

Palacios said there was an FBI profiler from Colorado who came to Saipan to specifically try and break the case back in 2021.

“I know the guy and I plan to reach out to him and (see) what his findings were about,” she said.

Palacios said she’s still holding up hope that her nieces are still alive.

“I still believe that Faloma and Maleina are still alive. One day soon, they will come back. I pray they are safe, well, and strong. I can’t wait for the day that I see you two back. You will be grown to be beautiful young souls,” the aunt said.

She said she will never give up hope of their return.

“Stay strong together and don’t give up and keep praying everyday God will answer and bring you back home. You are gone but never forgotten. You two will come back,” she said. “I miss you both and I’ve kept my promise to take care of you two and give you the life you so well deserved. God, please keep Maleina and Faloma safe and bring them back home.”

The CNMI Department of Public Safety and the FBI, meanwhile, are again urging the public to come forward with any new information.

 

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https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/local-news-victims-advocate-brings-cold-case-mission-to-saipan-renews-call-for-answers-in-luhk-sisters-case-glaffzbz/article_b7cc824b-8114-458c-8bfc-82ff21096ee3.html/?__cf_chl_tk=M5bIzn5B4mdh7onE3e0E0GRqcjjwM._hBNH7mSdBb3U-1760474542-1.0.1.1-aoJPDYVJO8l0qJBQRbQpqxnB8MQFR6wU4h7FE2tLqKs

Victims’ advocate brings cold case mission to Saipan, renews call for answers in Luhk sisters case​

Former Guam police detective Josephine Wentzel, founder of Angels of Justice and mother of murder victim Krystal Jaye Mitchell, has arrived in Saipan to make a heartfelt plea to the public for help in ongoing justice efforts — including information regarding the disappearance of the Luhk sisters, Faloma and Maleina, missing since 2011.

Wentzel, now a nationally recognized victims’ advocate, has dedicated her life to helping families of cold case homicides and missing persons. During her visit, she is urging the people of Saipan and the Northern Mariana Islands to come forward with any information that might shed light on the fate of the two missing sisters.

“These girls deserve to be found, and their family deserves closure,” Wentzel said. “Even the smallest piece of information can make a difference. If you know something — no matter how minor it seems — please come forward.”

Through her organization Angels of Justice, Wentzel continues to champion national reforms, including the expansion of FBI forensic lab resources, the legalization of familial DNA searches nationwide, and the creation of the proposed #KrystalAlert, designed to prevent fugitives from fleeing justice.

Wentzel stated, “I came to Saipan not only as a mother seeking justice for my daughter, but as an advocate for every family still waiting for answers. Together, we can bring truth to light and ensure that no case — and no child — is forgotten.”

While in Saipan, Wentzel will meet with local officials, law enforcement, and community members to strengthen cooperation in solving cold cases and locating the missing.

Anyone with information about Faloma and Maleina Luhk is urged to contact Angels of Justice or local authorities immediately.