Oakland woman reunites with uncle after decades-long search
DNA test leads Oakland woman to missing uncle after decades
A woman in Oakland, California, has finally reunited with her uncle after a decades-long search, following his abduction from a park in West Oakland in 1951.
Luis Armando Albino, who was only six years old at the time, was playing at Jefferson Square Park near Seventh Street with his older brother Roger on February 21, 1951. A Spanish-speaking woman lured Albino away with promises of candy and took him to the East Coast, where he was raised.
The woman who kidnapped Albino has since passed away, according to family members who shared their story with a local news station. Alida Alequin, Albino’s 63-year-old niece, has been relentless in her search for him. Despite efforts by the Oakland Police Department and the FBI, the family had struggled to find Albino for years.
#LuisArmandoAlbino is alive.
70 years ago, at only 6YO old, Luis was lured with the promise of candy by a woman who abducted him.
A couple ended up raising him as their own.
He became a marine and a firefighter.
After all these decades, Luis was reunited with his brother.
— Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) September 23, 2024
In 2020, Alequin decided to take an online DNA test for fun, which matched her with a man on the East Coast. The test indicated a 22% match, and Alequin began to investigate further. She reached out to the man, although she did not receive a response.
Alequin’s daughter discovered several pictures of the man, and the family noticed a strong resemblance to other relatives. Alequin described one photo in particular that made her believe they had found Albino.
Albino provided a DNA sample, which was compared with samples from Alequin’s mother and Roger. The results confirmed that Luis Albino was indeed their missing relative. This information was shared with the Oakland Police Department and the FBI, who credited Alequin’s investigation with playing a crucial role in finding Albino.
Kidnapped 6-Year-Old Found Alive 70 Years Later, Reunites with Family
Luis Armando Albino, abducted from an Oakland park in 1951, was found on the East Coast thanks to a DNA test & his niece’s determination. After decades, his family is finally reunited.https://t.co/7M9WMYuNfJ
— National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (@NCMEC) September 23, 2024
Last week, the missing persons case for Luis Albino was officially closed, though the FBI and police continue to investigate the kidnapping. Investigators had questioned Roger multiple times, but his account of a woman with a bandanna taking his brother never wavered.
With assistance from the FBI, Albino traveled to Oakland on June 24, 2024, to meet with Alequin, her mother, and other relatives. The next day, Alequin took her mother and uncle, a retired firefighter and Vietnam War veteran, to Roger’s home in Stanislaus County, California.
After the investigators left, the family shared an emotional reunion. Alequin recalled the moment she told her mother, “We found him,” and felt ecstatic. The family hugged tightly and discussed the day of the kidnapping and the events that followed.
Luis Armando Albino tenía 6 años cuando fue secuestrado por una mujer en un parque de Oakland, California. A 70 años del secuestro, su familia biológica lo ha encontrado. ⬇️ https://t.co/eOViAuh7q3
— Univision Nueva York (@univisionNY) September 23, 2024
Albino returned home but came back to visit in July for three weeks, his final visit with his brother, who passed away in August. Alequin mentioned that the two brothers were making up for lost time but noted that her uncle preferred not to speak with the media.
What Other Media Are Saying
- ABC News reports on the miraculous reunion of Luis Armando Albino, abducted at 6 in 1951 and found alive on the East Coast, thanks to an online DNA test and family persistence. (Read more)
- The Guardian reports on the remarkable reunion of Luis Armando Albino, a 6-year-old boy abducted from Oakland in 1951, found alive after 70 years with the help of an online DNA test and family research. (Read more)
- KTVU reports on the miraculous reunion of Luis Armando Albino, kidnapped at 6 in 1951, with his family after 70 years, thanks to DNA testing and family photos. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
How was Luis Albino abducted?
A Spanish-speaking woman lured him with candy and took him to the East Coast.
How did the family find Luis Albino?
Alida Alequin took an online DNA test in 2020, which matched with Albino.
What role did the DNA test play in finding Luis Albino?
The DNA test showed a 22% match, leading to further investigation and confirmation.
Is the kidnapping case of Luis Albino still under investigation?
Yes, the kidnapping is still under investigation by the FBI and police.
Did Luis Albino meet his family after being found?
Yes, he traveled to Oakland in June 2024 and reunited with his family.
