Florence judge closes investigation into Kata's disappearance

A Florence judge closed the investigation into Kata's disappearance on 20 October.

Kataleya Mia Alvarez Chicclo, known as Kata, was five when she vanished from the former Astor hotel in June 2023.

She lived there with her mother and younger brother, and was last seen in the building's courtyard.

The case involved her maternal and paternal uncles, who had been investigated over an alleged kidnapping for ransom.

Investigators found too little evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction, and could not establish exactly how she disappeared.

Kata's whereabouts remain unknown, despite extensive searches and investigations into several possible explanations.

The investigation may be reopened if new evidence emerges that could support further inquiries and a possible prosecution.