Dogs to Panama to search for missing women

The Netherlands is sending tracker dogs to Panama to assist in the search of Dutch women Lisanne Froon and Kris Kremers who went missing there since April 1.

Reports are that area prosecutor Betzaida Pittí and the girls’ families want the dogs to revisit the El Pianista area in the hope of finding them still alive. Lisanne (22) and Kris (21) had gone for a walk in the North Panama area heading for the Pianista Trail, but never returned to their host family’s home. Search parties have since fanned out over the area but to no avail. Prosecutor Pittí said that all appropriate assistance will be given to enable the dogs to enter Panama from the Netherlands. It was not clear as yet when authorities plan to search again with the animals. A vigil was held last Sunday night, May 18m in Boquete, during which the women’s families asked the community to support the search. The families have offered US$40,000 to anyone with information that leads to the pair. Last week Panamanian police received an anonymous tip on the whereabouts of their bodies. Police told newspaper AD they are taking the tip seriously, but an initial search related to the information turned up nothing.Two Dutch men in the area have also been questioned in the disappearance.