SheWhoMustNotBeNamed
Former Member
Missing Since: March 29, 1990 from Albany, New York
Classification: Non-Family Abduction
Date Of Birth: September 11, 1978
Age: 11 years old
Height and Weight: 4'11, 90 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Hispanic female. Black hair, brown eyes. Santiago has gaps between her teeth. She has a birthmark on the back of her right leg. Santiago's nickname is Pebbles. She may use the last names Castro and/or Graniella. Some agencies may refer to her as "Monique Pebbles Santiago."
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A turquoise blouse, blue jeans and black shoes.
Details of Disappearance
Santiago was last seen at approximately 8:00 a.m. on March 29, 1990 in Albany, New York. She was leaving for school at the time. Santiago called her mother at work at approximately 12:00 p.m. and said that she had missed the school bus and would remain at home for the day. Her family resided in an apartment on Washington Avenue at the time. Santiago's mother, Annie Graniela (sometimes referred to as Anna Castro), returned to their residence during the evening hours and realized that her daughter had disappeared. Santiago has never been heard from again.
Graniela waited until over eight hours passed before reporting her daughter as a missing child. She believed that the police department would not accept a report unless Santiago had been missing for an extended period of time. As a result, the investigation was stalled and many possible leads had vanished by the time law enforcement became involved.
An adult male acquaintance of Santiago's admitted that he had taken her to the State University of New York (SUNY)'s Albany campus five days before her presumed abduction. The man stated that he did not have permission from the girl's mother to drive her to the school. He said that he had seen Santiago in a parking lot on Central Avenue in Albany across the street from a former Woolworth's department store and felt sorry for her. He purchased snacks for her at the school cafeteria and allegedly admitted that he secretly masturbated while she waited in line. He was questioned by authorities less than 48 hours after Santiago's disappearance and signed a typewritten statement. The individual was never charged in connection with her case due to a lack of evidence, but some officials believe he was involved in some manner. The man, who does not have a criminal record, maintains his innocence and claims that portions of his statement were fabricated by investigators.
Graniela and Santiago relocated to Albany from New York City, New York in the late 1980s after a murder was committed in front of their former residence. Authorities investigated the possibility that someone harmed Santiago as a result of believing she may have witnessed the crime. No evidence was discovered to prove the theory.
Santiago's stepfather was imprisoned in March 1990. Authorities questioned him to uncover possible altercations with former inmates, in the event that someone may have abducted Santiago out of revenge towards her stepfather. Investigators determined that his prison sentence was not connected to Santiago's abduction.
Suspected child serial killer Lewis S. Lent Jr. was investigated for involvement in Santiago's case. He was convicted of murdering a Massachusetts child and Sara Wood, whose body has not been found, and is a suspect in many cases, including the disappearances of Kimberly Moreau, Tammie McCormick and Jamie Lusher. A photograph of Lent is posted below this case summary. Investigators believe it is unlikely that he was involved in Santiago's disappearance. A Hispanic child from an urban area, she does not fit the profile of Lent's other victims, who were Caucasian and from rural or suburban areas. However, police they are not ruling him out.
Graniela and Santiago's stepfather both died due to AIDS-related causes after her disappearance. A psychic told authorities that Santiago had been killed and her remains were near an unspecified body of water, but no evidence was located to substaniate the claim.
Some agencies may classify Santiago as an Endangered Missing person. Foul play is possible in her disappearance.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Albany Police Department
518-462-8058
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Albany Police Department
518-462-8058
