In picturesque Porto, a city famous for its port wine and colorful streets, a tragedy unfolded that shocked the Polish community. Sylwia Kaczmarek, 36, who had lived in Portugal for five years, vanished without a trace. Her last contact with her family took place on September 29, 2025. Police are appealing for help in the search, and her loved ones are living in uncertainty. What could have happened to the young woman? Here are the details of this mysterious case, which may make it onto the front pages of newspapers.
The Last Phone Call and Silence
Sylwia Kaczmarek comes from the small village of Będków in Łódź Voivodeship. Five years ago, she left for Porto in search of a better life. According to the police in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, the woman kept in regular phone contact with her family. The conversations were frequent, full of warmth and everyday stories. Everything changed on September 29, 2025, the date of their last conversation. Since then, Sylwia’s phone has been silent, and her whereabouts remain unknown.
According to the Onet portal, the disappearance was reported after her relatives lost all contact with her. „The woman regularly contacted her family, but her relatives last spoke with her on September 29. Since then, the phone has been silent” – the article reads. Gazeta.pl adds that the police are asking for help from anyone who may have seen Sylwia or knows anything about what happened to her.
Description and Distinguishing Features
To help with the search, the police have published a detailed description of the missing woman. Sylwia Kaczmarek is 163 cm tall, has long dark blonde hair and blue eyes. A distinctive feature is a scar from an appendectomy. In photos circulating on social media and police websites, she is seen smiling in sunglasses, posing against a mountain landscape, probably from a holiday in Morocco or a similar region.
Fakt.pl describes the case as „dramatic search for a young Polish woman in Portugal”, stressing that she has not given any sign of life for two months. The Na Tropie Foundation, which specializes in searching for missing persons, has also shared an appeal on Facebook, calling for the information to be spread.
Police Appeal: „Any Information Could Be Key”
Officers from the Criminal Department of the Powiat Police Headquarters in Tomaszów Mazowiecki are carrying out intensive actions. They appeal to anyone who may have seen Sylwia Kaczmarek or has any information about her whereabouts. Contact is possible at the following numbers:
- Team for Searching and Identifying Persons: 47 846 22 81 (7:30 AM-3:30 PM)
- Duty officer: 47 846 22 00 (24 hours)
- Emergency number: 112 or the nearest police unit
The police stress that even the smallest clue may help solve the mystery. The case has also gained attention on social media, where a post on X (formerly Twitter) by @naczasienews has garnered thousands of views and dozens of shares.
Similar Cases and Advice for Emigrants
Unfortunately, disappearances of Poles abroad are not rare. In recent years, the media have reported similar stories, such as the disappearance of tourists in Spain or seasonal workers in Italy. Experts advise emigrants to always inform loved ones about their plans, use location-tracking apps, and avoid traveling alone to unknown places.
In Sylwia Kaczmarek’s case, the lack of any trace suggests that an accident, an abduction or a voluntary break in contact may have occurred, although the last option seems the least likely given her close relationship with her family. The Polish community in Portugal, gathered among others in Facebook groups such as „Polacy w Portugalii” (Poles in Portugal), is actively joining the search by sharing posters and appeals.
Hope for a Happy Ending
Sylwia Kaczmarek’s family has not lost hope. „I hope the algorithm worked on the right side this time” – wrote one internet user under a post on X, highlighting the importance of social media in such cases. This story reminds us how fragile life is and how important solidarity is in the face of tragedy.
If you have any information, do not hesitate – report it to the police. Share this article so it reaches as many people as possible. You may be the one who helps solve this mystery and bring Sylwia home.
Sources: Police Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Onet, Gazeta.pl, Fakt.pl, Na Tropie Foundation, social media.
Update: The Woman Has Been Found
As the Powiat Police Headquarters in Tomaszów Mazowiecki reported, the woman has been found. No further information is available on this case, and the family has not provided any comment.
