Store Worker’s Corpse Found Trapped Between Shelves
The Disappearance of Larry Ely Murillo-Moncada
Larry Ely Murillo-Moncada, 25, vanished in 2009 after a sudden, “furious run-away from home.” His parents said he had been acting strangely, likely due to medication. Despite long searches by police, Larry remained missing for years, leaving his family in the dark.
The Unexpected Discovery
In January 2019, workers dismantling shelves at the closed No Frills Supermarket in Council Bluffs, Iowa, made a shocking find. They discovered “a former employee’s body… wedged beneath several shelves.” It was later confirmed to be Larry.
Behind the Cooler: A Tragic Accident
Investigators believe Larry had climbed on top of the coolers, a common practice during shifts, but then slipped into an 18-inch gap between a cooler and the wall. The loud “compressor noise from the coolers probably drowned out any pleas for assistance,” leaving him trapped with no escape.
Identification and Closure
Larry’s clothing matched the DNA found on the body, identified through his parents’ DNA. His mother’s painful belief was confirmed: he “never left the grocery store.” Authorities ruled the death accidental, as “there were no traces of trauma,” making this case “singular and exceptional” due to the body’s long-hidden location.
