Podcast Summary: Dark Downeast

Episode: STILL MISSING: The Disappearance of Reina Carolina Morales Rojas (Massachusetts)

Host: Kylie Low | Date: November 27, 2025

Episode Overview

This heart-centered and ethically reported episode of Dark Downeast revisits the still unsolved disappearance of Reina Carolina Morales Rojas, a Salvadoran immigrant and mother of two who vanished after being dropped off in Somerville, MA, in November 2022. Through investigative storytelling and interviews, host Kylie Low dives into the details of Reina’s case, the failings in the law enforcement response, and the deep impacts on her family and community. The episode also spotlights the advocacy efforts that have kept Reina’s story alive and tracks significant developments since the case first broke, all while centering the humanity of Reina and her loved ones.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Timeline and Circumstances of Disappearance

• Reina's Background:
  • 41-years-old, emigrated from El Salvador in May 2022, leaving her children with her sister, Alicia Morales.
  • Former police officer in El Salvador, working in food services at Logan Airport in Boston.
• Last known events (02:07–03:23):
  • Regularly in close contact with her family; her disappearance was immediately out of character.
  • Last heard from on November 26, 2022, after being dropped off in Somerville.
• Efforts to locate her:
  • Alicia attempted to contact her repeatedly, then reached out to Reina's landlord and boyfriend—both of whom also had no contact.
  • Officially reported missing on November 27, 2022.

2. Delayed Public Response and Police Inaction

• Slow Public Notification:
  • Boston Police did not publicize Reina's disappearance for 46 days (until January 12, 2023), despite urgency from family (03:23–08:21).
  • Case was not added to NAMUS immediately.
• Advocacy necessity:
  • Massachusetts' missing persons protocol notes "advocacy may be required for police action" (10:08).
• Community frustration:
  • “Something was wrong and no one seemed to give a damn as Alicia Morales fought to get any attention and answers from Boston police.” —Kylie Low (05:05)

3. Community Advocacy and the Role of LUMA

• Lucy Panetta’s Leadership:
  • Upon learning of Reina's case, Lucy Panetta, executive director of Latinos Unidos en Massachusetts (LUMA), mobilized the community (08:21).
  • Organized searches, live social media updates, and press releases demanding action (09:34–10:08).
  • Wrote letters, held vigils, and pushed meetings with police:
    • “Police silence is police complicity and Latino lives matter,” read vigil posters (10:08).
• Police Response Excuses (12:05):
  • Excuse for delay: “Right now she don't have no family in here. So it was hard for us to ask for information…” —Lucy Panetta relaying police statement (12:05).
• Lucy’s perspective on racial bias:
  • “I feel like this, this was, this is, this is racist because the way they treat the people when they went to report Reina, I think they feel like, oh, okay, she's a Latino, she's undocumented, nobody know what's going on with her or whatever. ... Why are you guys use drones, helicopters, ... for [the white women] and you forget about Reyna?” —Lucy Panetta (16:56).

4. Comparison to Other Missing Women Cases

• Contrast in urgency and resources:
  • High-profile, rapid responses for missing white women (Ana Walsh, Brittany T.), but not for Reina (15:40–16:56).

5. Institutional Failures and Acknowledgements

• Public officials reaction:
  • Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Police Commissioner Michael Cox eventually met with advocates and family, admitting lack of formal procedures for public alerts (17:45).
  • City councilors penned a letter noting a “nationwide pattern” of neglecting missing women of color (17:45–20:20).
• Impact on immigrant community trust in law enforcement:
  • “How can we trust in them? ... We flee from different Latin American countries because ... women they're missing and you never know what's going on with them.” —Lucy Panetta (20:20)
• Proposal of a new state missing persons unit (21:27):
  • Governor Maura Healey requested funding for a new missing persons coordination unit in March 2023.

6. The Ongoing Investigation & Family Impact

• No substantive leads as of April 2023; police claim ongoing investigation (22:56).
• Family’s ongoing pain and hope:
  • “It’s hard because ... I’m tired with the same information, oh, this case is open. ... I just want to know what’s going on.” —Lucy Panetta (23:35)
  • Lucy’s contact with Reina’s children is simultaneously hopeful and heartbreaking:
    • “Kimberly ... says, Ma, Lucy, I know you will find my mom. ... It’s hard for me because I don’t have the power to do that.” —Lucy Panetta (24:52)

7. Updates Since the Original Episode

• Victimization by scammers:
  • Family received scam calls—false claims about Reina’s whereabouts, demanding money (32:37).
• New Hope: Children Applying for U Visa:
  • Lawyers for Civil Rights is helping Reina’s children to apply for the U visa, which protects victims of certain crimes who cooperate with law enforcement (33:44).
  • Middlesex DA supporting their application, giving hope of reuniting the family in the US, increasing their participation in the ongoing investigation.
• Reaffirmed law enforcement response:
  • Boston Police now state their missing persons protocols have been updated, with drone/search dog deployment, but admit delay was a misstep (31:35).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Something was wrong and no one seemed to give a damn as Alicia Morales fought to get any attention and answers from Boston police.”
  —Kylie Low (05:05)

• “When I talked to the detective from East Boston and I asked why are you guys released this case 47 days after ... The answer was oh, because right now she don't have no family in here. So it was hard for us to ask for information...”
  —Lucy Panetta (12:05)

• “I feel like this, this was, this is, this is racist because ... four women was missing. Three women was white and one was a Latino. ... I want to see the same actions with Reyna.”
  —Lucy Panetta (16:56)

• “How can we trust in [authorities]? ... We flee from different Latin American countries because we’re coming from a dangerous country ... It looks like I feel like I am in 1980s. ... That women's missing and nobody's care what's going on.”
  —Lucy Panetta (20:20)

• “They still waiting ... they still thinking that they will receive a phone call [from] their mom ... I just try to do the best I can. Everything is in my possibilities.”
  —Lucy Panetta (24:52)

• “We need to continue fighting for justice and equality to make those changes that everyone we deserve in this life and we not give up. We will continue looking for Reyna.”
  —Lucy Panetta (26:30)

Important Timestamps

• [02:07] — Introduction to Reina’s disappearance, family context
• [08:21–10:08] — Lucy Panetta and LUMA begin advocacy
• [12:05] — Police rationalize delayed public appeal
• [16:56] — Lucy slams racial disparities in police response
• [20:20] — Lucy on trust issues for immigrant women
• [22:30] — Four-month anniversary; family still in the dark
• [24:52] — Intimate glimpse into the pain experienced by Reina’s children
• [31:35] — Law enforcement protocol updates, investigative efforts
• [33:44] — Children’s U visa application; hope for reunion

Tone, Language & Structure

The episode maintains a deeply empathetic, direct, and advocacy-driven tone. Host Kylie Low’s narration is reflective and sensitive, centering Reina and her family’s pain while holding systems to account. Interviewee Lucy Panetta’s activism and emotion come through clearly, pushing listeners to recognize the intersection of race, immigration, and justice.

Conclusion

Dark Downeast’s coverage of Reina Carolina Morales Rojas' disappearance underscores not just the severity of one family's tragedy, but the systemic disparities faced by missing women of color—especially immigrants. The episode highlights how persistent community advocacy can help bring attention (and incremental change) to cases overlooked by traditional systems. Yet, years later, Reina is still missing—her family and community, with advocates like Lucy Panetta at the forefront, continue searching for answers and justice.

Anyone with information regarding Reina's disappearance is encouraged to contact:

• A7 Detectives: 617-343-4324
• Massachusetts State Police assigned to Middlesex DA: 781-897-660
• Anonymous Tips: 1-800-494-TIPS or text TIP to 27463

“We will continue looking for Reyna.” —Lucy Panetta (26:30)