(Amsterdam) – For the Dutch family of Sophia Koetsier, October 28 is not just another date on the calendar. It is a day of painful remembrance. Nine years ago, in 2015, Sophia vanished during a trip in Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park. Despite years of searching and appeals for information, her whereabouts remain unknown, leaving her family in a relentless search for answers.
The memories of Sophia are vivid for her mother, Marije Slijkerman, who recalls seeing her daughter off at Schiphol Airport. Sophia had just completed her medical studies and was embarking on an adventure, filled with enthusiasm and plans. “I can still clearly see her at the check-in desk with her huge backpack, her solid hiking boots,” Slijkerman recounts. But a few months later, she found herself standing on the banks of the Nile, looking at one of Sophia’s boots lying in the grass—a haunting reminder of her daughter’s presence and the mystery that remains.
Sophia’s trip to Uganda was meant to be the start of a new chapter. She arrived in Kampala for an internship at Lubaga Hospital, where she quickly became known for her openness, dedication, and willingness to help with any task, from patient care to cleaning floors. Her colleagues admired her efforts to connect with locals, even learning to speak Luganda. After her internship, Sophia decided to explore Uganda with two friends. But on the sixth day of her journey, she disappeared under mysterious circumstances. According to the initial account, she left her group to use the bathroom and was never seen again.
The initial investigation assumed Sophia may have fallen victim to an animal attack, but her family found the inquiry lacking in thoroughness and evidence. No remains were ever found, leaving her family with more questions than answers. Since that fateful day in October 2015, Slijkerman and her family have conducted their own search, making 25 trips to Uganda. “The first time was to visit her, the rest to find her,” said Slijkerman, who hopes her next trip will be the last, ending with Sophia’s safe return.
Sophia’s family is aware of the grim statistics: the longer a person is missing, the lower the chance of finding them. But they remain hopeful, believing that as long as there are unanswered questions, there is still hope. Over the years, Slijkerman has tracked down witnesses and gathered information, but each new piece of information only led to more questions. The family’s communication with Ugandan authorities has been intermittent, and in 2022, the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) took over the case. While the CID had initially promised a report within three months, a year passed before they received any updates. When the report arrived in October 2023, it offered no new insights, failing to address critical questions the family had hoped it would answer. “It felt like starting all over again,” Slijkerman reflected, emphasizing the difficulty of uncovering the truth in Sophia’s case.
For the Koetsier family, the absence of Sophia has left a deep wound. The daily uncertainty, along with the fear of never knowing her fate, is a weight they carry every day. “No child is as present as a missing child,” Slijkerman explains, describing the ever-present reminders of her daughter—a blonde woman riding a bike, a mother and daughter shopping, young doctors in hospital corridors. “It’s a shock every time; a rough reminder that I am not with my daughter,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Slijkerman continues to search tirelessly, driven by hope and a refusal to give up. She expressed immense gratitude for those who support the family and condemned those who have tried to exploit their tragedy, falsely claiming to have information in exchange for money. “There must be more honorable ways to make money,” she said, adding that rewards are never paid unless a missing person is actually found.
Sophia’s case has drawn significant media attention, and the story has even been the subject of a documentary by Dutch public television, which has brought more awareness to her family’s ongoing search. The Koetsiers continue to hope that one day, they will be reunited with Sophia or, at the very least, learn the truth of what happened to her.
| Family’s Efforts in Search for Sophia Koetsier | Details |
|---|---|
| First trip to Uganda | To visit Sophia |
| Subsequent trips to Uganda | 25 times to search for her |
| Communication with Ugandan police | Intermittent, CID report in 2023 |
| Initial assumptions in investigation | Animal attack, no remains found |
| Impact on Family | Description |
| Constant reminders | Strangers resembling Sophia |
| Support from friends and media | Appreciated by the family |
| Exploitation by false informants | Condemned by the family |
To learn more about Sophia’s case, readers can visit www.findSophia.org, where the family shares updates and seeks continued support in their search for answers.