Ylenia Maria Sole Carrisi was 23 years old when she disappeared from New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 6, 1994. An Italian citizen, aspiring writer, and the daughter of famous Italian entertainers Al Bano Carrisi and Romina Power, Ylenia’s disappearance became one of the most widely known missing person cases connected to New Orleans. Despite decades of investigation and international attention, her whereabouts remain unknown. 

Ylenia had been traveling through Central America and North America before arriving in New Orleans in late 1993. She had planned to spend time in the city while working on a book about street performers and people living on the margins of society. After her parents returned to Italy following a family trip, Ylenia decided to remain in New Orleans. 

Before her disappearance, Ylenia had been staying at the LeDale Hotel in the French Quarter area. During her time in New Orleans, she became acquainted with Alexander Masakela, a street musician who stayed with her at the hotel for a period of time. After Ylenia disappeared, Masakela came under scrutiny after investigators learned he had possession of some of her belongings, including her passport. He denied knowing what happened to her and was questioned by authorities, but he was never charged in connection with Ylenia’s disappearance. 

Ylenia’s family became concerned after they stopped receiving regular communication from her. Her last known contact with her family occurred in early January 1994, and she was reported missing after her parents were unable to reach her. Her parents traveled to New Orleans to assist in the search and publicly appealed for information about their daughter. 

One of the major investigative leads involved a report from security personnel near the Mississippi River. Witnesses told police they saw a young woman matching Ylenia’s description near the river on the night she disappeared and believed they saw her enter the water. A search of the river by authorities and the Coast Guard did not recover her body. Investigators have never been able to confirm whether the woman seen entering the river was Ylenia. 

At the time of her disappearance, Ylenia was described as a White female with blonde hair and green eyes. She was approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighed about 120 pounds. She was last known to have been wearing a floral-print dress and a waist-length white jacket. 

Over the years, several theories have surrounded Ylenia’s disappearance, including the possibility that she drowned in the Mississippi River or that she was the victim of foul play. Her family members have disagreed over what they believe happened. In 2014, an Italian court declared Ylenia legally dead at the request of her father, although her mother has continued to express hope that her daughter may still be found. 

Ylenia Maria Sole Carrisi’s case remains open, and she has never been located. Her disappearance continues to be investigated as an endangered missing person case.

Anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Ylenia Maria Sole Carrisi is urged to contact the New Orleans Police Department Missing Persons Unit at (504) 658-5315.