Bride-to-be Sherra De Juan found safe

The disappearance and eventual safe recovery of bride-to-be Sherra De Juan has emerged as one of the most closely watched personal-interest stories in the Philippines during the holiday season.

The case began on 10 December 2025, when De Juan, 30, was reported missing just four days before her scheduled wedding on 14 December in Quezon City.

Authorities said De Juan left her home that afternoon, telling family members she was going to buy wedding shoes at a mall in North Fairview, but she never returned. Closed-circuit television footage later placed her at around 1:35 p.m. near a gas station along Commonwealth Avenue corner Atherton Street. She was wearing black attire and carrying only a small purse.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) immediately activated a Special Investigation Team to handle the case. Investigators reviewed CCTV footage, interviewed witnesses, and questioned several individuals close to De Juan as part of the probe.

On 17 December, police confirmed that De Juan’s fiancé, Mark Arjay Reyes, had been designated as a person of interest, clarifying that the designation did not mean he was a suspect. Authorities said the move was based on the fact that Reyes was the last known person to have been with her before she went missing.

During the investigation, the QCPD disclosed that a digital forensic examination of De Juan’s electronic devices indicated she may have been experiencing emotional distress and financial difficulties prior to her disappearance. Police said these were allegedly linked to her father’s medical condition and wedding-related expenses, adding that some sensitive findings were handled with care.

Nearly three weeks after she was reported missing, the QCPD announced on 29 December that De Juan had been found safe in the Ilocos Region, specifically in Sison.

Police said a civilian spotted De Juan and alerted her family, prompting relatives and authorities to travel to Pangasinan to retrieve her. Authorities estimated the return trip to Metro Manila would take about three hours. Media reports said De Juan initially hesitated to speak with responding officers but was eventually persuaded to reunite with her family.

On 30 December, the QCPD reiterated that no evidence of a crime has been established in connection with De Juan’s disappearance. Police said questions remain regarding why she traveled far from her home and added that further details would be made public once she is ready to speak with investigators.