The missing Martina mystery – what really happened

Martina, the German caregiver who lived in Elviria in Marbella and had been missing for almost two weeks, was found alive after police issued a widespread alert.

She was reported missing by both her housemate and a customer’s daughter. Police spotted her on CCTV walking Ellie in Huelva, a province near Portugal, but far away from Elviria. She said that the footage of Martina with her dog was confirmed by the police. Her housemate runs a reputable German-speaking care company for elderly people. What exactly happened?

Social networks on the Costa del Sol were alerted to the disappearance of a 61-year old woman. They were concerned she was in danger. Martina had not been seen since she left her last customer on Friday, 14th March at lunchtime. She drove away with her car and dog, but after a couple of hours her phone went off. She hadn’t even taken her clothes or other belongings. This indicated that something was very wrong. The calls for help to find Martina spread across the Internet, and even into national and international media.

Martina has gained the confidence of the Elviria Community

Martina has lived in Andalusia for the past 2021. She earned trust as a caregiver of elderly German residents, despite not having a valid Spanish National Identification Number (NIE) or a legally validated German nursing certification. She disappeared after leaving the home of a client on Friday, 14th March. She had told them that she would return on Monday. She was reported missing by her housemate on Saturday, 15 March.

Martina’s much younger housemate and a German man who runs a company that provides certified professionals to care for the elderly split the rent of an apartment in Elviria Urbanisation in Marbella. However, they didn’t work together very often because Martina did not have her nursing certificate validated in Spain despite the housemate pestering her.

Martina owned property in Tenerife.

Her backstory was that she had a property in Tenerife where she had been living and working, but while on holiday in Cádiz in 2021, her wallet was stolen. She decided to remain in mainland Spain. Her demeanor was so trusting that no one asked why she had left everything behind in the Canaries.

Messages of support began to flood in as police tried to find her. Then, messages began to arrive from her former customers. One such message simply read, ‘I’m not surprised.’ Others praised the work she did and her trustworthiness. However, many accused her of stealing valuable items, saying they had gone missing. One family allegedly caught her stealing money on a hidden video camera. No police reports were filed – she was just asked to leave. Her flatmate is a victim too, saying that she owes him some €7,000.

Now, with her status confirmed as ‘alive and safe’ and police reports being filed against her by ex-clients, authorities could well open an investigation into who she really is and where she has gone. Prior to the theft allegations, they weren’t legally allowed to do it.

Where is Martina?

Martina could be headed to the German community in Algarve. The relief of her safe return to Elviria is being quickly overshadowed by anger at the accusations made by victims. They are left without care, with their spare keys missing, some have lost money or valuables, and have their trust broken.

As the search for Martina goes on, the Costa del Sol community feels betrayed and reeling. Maybe Martina had her reasons. Everyone has a past. Perhaps she needs help. Martina was sure to load the expensive dog transporter of her housemate before she left. Questions remain – If this was the first time she had done this and whether it will be the last. The lesson is to only hire authentically-certified, professional caregivers for the elderly.

If you have also been affected by Martina, please join the discussion on this article.
There is a need for German-speaking nurses to care for the elderly.