The Carla Vicentini case is the unsolved 2006 disappearance of a 22-year-old Brazilian exchange student who vanished after leaving a Newark, New Jersey bar with an unidentified man in the early hours of February 10, 2006. The FBI classifies the matter as a kidnapping and missing persons investigation and is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.1FBI. Carla Vicentini – Kidnappings/Missing Persons No arrest has ever been made, and the man she left with has never been identified.
Who Carla Vicentini Was
Vicentini was born in Brazil on April 29, 1983, and was studying engineering when she came to the United States through a cultural exchange program, arriving on January 19, 2006.1FBI. Carla Vicentini – Kidnappings/Missing Persons She had been in the country only three weeks when she disappeared.
Her first placement was at a White Castle restaurant, with housing in a motel room shared with several other women in the program. She was unhappy with that setup and moved out, taking a job at Mediterranean Manor, a catering venue in Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood, and settling into a Ferry Street apartment owned by a family friend, where she lived with another exchange student.2The Charley Project. Carla Vicentini3NJ.com. Billboard Will Feature Brazilian Exchange Student Missing Since 2006 Portuguese was her first language and her English was limited, so her social life ran through the Ironbound’s Brazilian community.
The Night of February 10, 2006
On the evening of February 9, a male friend drove Vicentini to the Adega Bar and Grill on Ferry Street to visit Maria Eduarda, a cocktail waitress there.3NJ.com. Billboard Will Feature Brazilian Exchange Student Missing Since 2006 She began drinking and talking with a man no one at the bar recognized.
At about 2:30 a.m. on February 10, she left with him. She told her roommate she was going out to his car to look at a photograph and would meet her back at their nearby apartment.4FBI. FBI Offering Reward of Up to $20,000 in Carla Vicentini Disappearance She was believed to have been intoxicated.1FBI. Carla Vicentini – Kidnappings/Missing Persons She never met her roommate, and she has not been seen or heard from since.
The Unidentified Man
The man from the bar is the only known person of interest, and investigators have never identified him. The FBI describes him as a white male, roughly 30 years old, about 5 feet 8 inches and 200 pounds, with a stocky build, fair complexion, light or blue eyes, and short salt-and-pepper hair.4FBI. FBI Offering Reward of Up to $20,000 in Carla Vicentini Disappearance Witnesses at the bar recalled an unshaven beard and a black t-shirt, and described him as “quiet and sullen.”2The Charley Project. Carla Vicentini
Communication between the two was reportedly awkward, since Vicentini spoke little English and the man did not speak Portuguese. His first name may have been “Antonio,” according to the New Jersey State Police listing.5New Jersey State Police. Missing Person Detail – Carla Vicentini
Why Investigators Suspect Foul Play
Two details from the days after February 10 shape the investigation. First, Vicentini’s wallet, passport, jacket, and a bag of work clothes were found inside her Ferry Street apartment, which suggests she may have returned there at some point after leaving the bar before vanishing.2The Charley Project. Carla Vicentini3NJ.com. Billboard Will Feature Brazilian Exchange Student Missing Since 2006 Leaving a passport behind is difficult to reconcile with a voluntary departure.
Second, several days after the disappearance, an unidentified person called the cell phone of Vicentini’s boss and screamed for help. Whether that call was connected to her case has never been determined.2The Charley Project. Carla Vicentini
The FBI lists the case under “Kidnappings / Missing Persons” and frames its reward around the “arrest and conviction” of those responsible, language that reflects the agency’s view that a crime was committed.1FBI. Carla Vicentini – Kidnappings/Missing Persons Her mother, Tania, has said publicly that she believes her daughter was murdered, telling reporters in 2010, “I think that Carla isn’t alive because she would never stay more than two days without contacting the family.”6NJ.com. Nine Years After Disappearance, FBI Renewing Campaign
Where the Investigation Stands
The Newark Police Department is the primary local investigating agency, and the case is listed in the New Jersey State Police missing persons database under case number 06014648.5New Jersey State Police. Missing Person Detail – Carla Vicentini The FBI’s Newark field office has led public appeals for information.
On the ninth anniversary in February 2015, the FBI renewed its appeal and formally announced the $20,000 reward.4FBI. FBI Offering Reward of Up to $20,000 in Carla Vicentini Disappearance No arrest has ever been made, no suspect has been publicly named, and Vicentini remains classified as missing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI Newark Division at 973-792-3000 or the Newark Police Department at 973-733-4336.4FBI. FBI Offering Reward of Up to $20,000 in Carla Vicentini Disappearance5New Jersey State Police. Missing Person Detail – Carla Vicentini