The Costa Maya Festival Committee and Ambergris Caye community are today in shock to learn about the disappearance of Miss World Honduras, Maria Jose Alvarado and her sister Sofia Trinidad Alvarado in their country of Honduras last week. Island residents met Maria Jose this past August during the Costa Maya Festival where she was a contestant representing Honduras at the Miss Costa Maya Pageant. San Pedro residents express their concerns and pray that both women are found safe and unharmed.
La Prensa newspaper in Honduras reports that authorities from the country have confirmed that Maria Jose and her sister went missing since last week Thursday, November 13, 2014, when both women visited Santa Barbara, Honduras to spend a few days their parents before Maria Jose traveled to London to participate in the Miss World pageant.
Eduardo Zablah, director of Miss Honduras pageant, confirmed that on Thursday night Maria Jose, her sister and a group of friends went out to celebrate a birthday. When both sisters left the party that was held at a resort in Santa Barbara, both were seen getting into a vehicle but since then, their whereabouts are still unknown.
Zablah confirmed that the family has not received any communication with people who may know of the whereabouts or possession of the Alvarado sister; it is believed to be a case of abduction. Police reported that a team was formed to investigate the case and search for the beauty queen and her sister.
Maria Jose Alvarado is known in Honduras as a model for the entertainment program X-O and is the image of various clothing stores in the country. In 2012 she participated in the Miss Teen Pageant Honduras where he was the first runner up. Alvarado is the fourth native of the state of Copán, Honduras to have won the title of Miss World Honduras.
As Miss World Belize delegate Raquel Badillo prepared to leave for London, England on Saturday, November 15, she expressed her deep sadness to hear about the disappearance of Miss World Honduras Maria Jose and prays along with the Honduras community for her safe return to her family. The organizing committee of the San Pedro International Costa Maya Festival is also deeply concerned for Maria Jose and her sister, and extend their prayers of hope to her family.
