The Mysterious Disappearances of Hannah Upp: A Life Lost in Waves

In 2008 Hannah vanished on the first day of school while living in New York City. She was found floating in the water near Manhattan after 20 days, suffering from hypothermia and sunburn. This incident marked the first glimpse into her condition, later diagnosed as dissociative fugue, a rare form of amnesia often triggered by psychological trauma.

In 2012, while in Maryland, Hannah disappeared once more on the first day of school, only to be discovered 2 days later in a creek miles away from her workplace.

The Final Disappearance: Hannah’s last known whereabouts were in St. Thomas, where she moved to work as a teaching assistant. Her disappearance coincided with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, a time of chaos and devastation.

She left behind her sundress, sandals, car, and car keys at a local bar, indicating that she had gone for a swim, a dangerous decision given the turbulent waters following the hurricane. Some believed her swimming skills might have allowed her to survive for a time in the water.

Search Efforts and Fading Hope: Search parties and volunteers scoured the shores, and even the Coast Guard dispatched helicopters in search of Hannah. However, no concrete traces of her were ever found. The initial optimism began to wane as days turned into weeks without any sign of her.

Hannah’s mother, Barbara, remained steadfast in her hope, often visiting Sapphire Beach, where she would gaze out at the ocean, praying for her daughter’s return. She moved to St. Thomas in search of closure but eventually returned to the U.S.

Unanswered Questions: Despite extensive searches, countless interviews, and potential sightings, the mystery surrounding Hannah Upp’s disappearance remains unsolved. The unique nature of her condition and the circumstances of her vanishing have left investigators with few leads.

Hannah’s friends and family, while struggling to come to terms with her absence, hold on to hope that she might someday return. But as time passes, the likelihood of finding her grows increasingly slim.

In the end, Hannah Upp’s life is marked not only by her unusual disappearances but also by the profound impact she left on those who knew her, a woman who rarely met a stranger and whose bright spirit continues to shine in the hearts of those who long for her return.