Aditya Jaikarran, a 32-year-old American and former member of the Marine Corps, appeared alive in Bogotá after more than three months without his family knowing about him.
Missing American found by family. Photo:Screenshot
He had disappeared on July 9, 2026 and his case had become public in recent weeks due to the search carried out by his family together with his lawyer, Valeria Ponce.
According to the report of Citytv, from the EL TIEMPO Publishing House, The discovery occurred after of a report about his disappearance being broadcast on City News last weekend.
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How was his trail lost?
According to the story collected by the aforementioned mediaJaikarran had arrived in Colombia weeks before to work and was the victim of a robbery in the town of Santa Fe, in the center of Bogotá.
“I was walking through Santa Fe at night with all my luggage because I had moved hotels. I paused in the park and some guys stole my things“the man explained.
The main barrier for the American to ask for help was language. Photo:CityTv
He was left without a passport and without a cell phone.and since he did not have his relatives’ numbers memorized, he could not contact them. “Thereafter It was a constant fight to survive.“said Jaikarran.
Also lost his job and was left without financial resources. With these limitations, plus the language barrier, he was unable to ask for help and ended up living on the street.
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Three months of searching
During that time, the family visited sectors of Bogotá such as Santa Fe, Las Cruces and the surroundings of the National Park, where different people they claimed to have seen it as a street dweller. Also They went to Legal Medicine.
In the midst of the investigations, they learned that He had been arrested in the Los Lagartos neighborhood for a case related to theft in a commercial establishment, a fact that did not allow us to establish what happened to him afterwards.
Last clue in an Ara supermarket of the missing American. Photo:Screenshot
“On our own account We have had to walk throughout Bogotá“Ponce told Citytvand requested more active support of the Police and other authorities. The ex-marine’s mother also released a video with a message for him to contact them.
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How did they find it?
After several days wandering without food, according to the story of CityTvJaikarran convulsed inside a supermarket and He was transferred to the Simón Bolívar Hospitalwhere his identity was established. Thus, his family was able to find his whereabouts and finally reunite with him.
his mother thanked people for their support who helped him and facilitated his recognition. “Thanks to everyone who helped to find my son. “I thank God and all the people who helped us,” he said.
Family and friends had shared a video to help find him. Photo:CityTv
For her part, lawyer Ponce assured that the man is in good healthboth physically and mentally, and clarified that during the time he had to spend on the streets “was not there as a consumer of any type of substances” and that the language was the main obstacle to receive help from citizens.
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What’s next for him?
His stay in Colombia exceeded 90 days, so the family and his legal representative They hope to resolve the immigration situation of the American before he can return to his country.
“We are waiting for Monday to be able to contact the Immigration Human Rights Department so that collaborate with us with voluntary departure of him from the country,” said Ponce.
Aditya Jaikarran is in good health and hopes to resolve his immigration situation. Photo:CityTv
While this management progresses, those close to They seem relieved to have found it alive and Jaikarran added that, despite what he experienced, retains a good impression of Colombiaits people and its gastronomy, and said he hopes to return to the country without having to experience something similar.
“I still love BogotáMost of the people are amazing and the food is amazing. I plan to return to Colombiaalthough maybe not to Bogotá,” said the American.
María Alejandra Mesa Munévar
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