ALBANIA - Ervin Vlashi, 10, Fushe-Kruje, 30 Mar 1998

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3460DMALB - Ervin Vlashi

Name: Ervin Vlashi
Case Classification: Non-Family Abduction
Missing Since: March 30, 1998
Location Last Seen: Fushe-Kruje, Albania

Physical Description​

Date of Birth: July 7, 1987
Age: 10 years old
Race: White
Gender: Male
Height: 130 cm
Weight: Unknown
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: Brown
Nickname/Alias: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown

Identifiers​

Dentals: Not Available
Fingerprints: Not Available
DNA: Not Available

Clothing & Personal Items​

Clothing: Unknown
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown

Circumstances of Disappearance​

Ervin disappeared on October 30, 1998 from his home in a village in northern Albania, at the foot of the medieval town of Kruje. On the day of his disappearance, Ervin was at home with his sister. He studied all afternoon, and then went out to play. Neighbors said they had seen him together with two friends, but the two boys said that after playing together Ervin had headed for home alone; they never saw him again after that.

His parents thinks he was abducted. They were told that Ervin was brought to Milan, Padua, and Treviso in Italy. It is possible that Ervin was brought to Italy with a dinghy from Valona.

Investigating Agency(s)​

Agency Name: Chi L’ha Visto
Agency Contact Person: Unknown
Agency Phone Number: +39 06 8262 or Fax: 0664633399
Agency E-Mail: 8262(at)rai.it
Agency Case Number: N/A

NamUs Case Number: Not listed
NCIC Case Number: Unknown

 

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Dzieci, które nigdy nie wróciły do domu, część 50 – Patrik, Ervin, Arthur, Jersey

The article above is about some missing kids. Here's what's said about Ervin's disappearance :

"On March 30, 1998, 10-year-old Ervin Vlashi from the town of Fushë Krujë in Albania got up early in the morning as usual and insisted on taking his mother to work, which he often did. It was 7:00 a.m. when they left, and halfway there, his mother turned him back home, reminding him that he had homework to do for his afternoon English course. The boy obeyed and returned home, where he spent the entire morning studying with his sister.

When he completed his duty, he went outside to play with his friends. According to their claims, they spent time at a local community center where they played billiards. It was there that they saw Ervin for the last time, when he said goodbye to them, explaining that he had to take an English course. However, he did not show up for class and did not return home, and in the evening he was reported missing.

After 10 days of fruitless searching, an employee of the municipal headquarters received an anonymous call from a payphone in Greece: 'Anton's nephew arrived safe and sound.' Anton was Ervin's uncle, who reported him missing. Unfortunately, the caller was never located. A few years later, a witness called the police and claimed to have seen Ervin in Greece. The police followed this lead and although the young man looked very similar to the missing person, unfortunately he was not.

Another clue appeared after 10 years and this time it came from the USA. The witness claimed that the wanted boy lived in West Virginia and his name was Chris Ervin. The resemblance was uncanny, but this trope was never proven or disproven. The person concerned reportedly refused to undergo genetic testing."

 

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Chi l'ha Visto - Bambini Scomparsi - Ervin Vlashi - La scheda

"The Vlashi family lives in a village in northern Albania, at the foot of the medieval city of Kruje. A family that is considered wealthy in the town: the father, Jorgo, is a builder; the mother, Angelina, has a small costume jewelery stall. Their youngest son, Ervin, 10 years old, mysteriously disappeared on March 30, 1998. 'That day - says his mother - Ervin was at home with her sister. He studied all afternoon, then went out to play. When I came back he wasn't there. The searches began, neighbors reported having seen him in the company of two friends. But the two boys said that after playing together Ervin went home alone; they haven't seen him since. The parents are convinced that it was a kidnapping. Some time after the disappearance, a man from Fushe-Kruje who shuttles between Italy and Albania told Jorgo and Angelina that the child had been taken to our country - to Milan, Padua and Treviso - where he was exploited by some criminals. The man advised his father not to talk about it to the police because he would take care of bringing him home. It is possible that the child was brought to Italy on a dinghy from Vlora, in the stretch of coast controlled by smugglers. Every night the 'journeys of hope' of illegal immigrants to Italy leave from here: the quota is one and a half million each, money that is divided among the Italian smugglers and traffickers. Many minors are also taken on board the dinghies: girls to be sent into prostitution or children kidnapped to be exploited."

 

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Another clue appeared after 10 years and this time it came from the USA. The witness claimed that the wanted boy lived in West Virginia and his name was Chris Ervin. The resemblance was uncanny, but this trope was never proven or disproven. The person concerned reportedly refused to undergo genetic testing."

Even though I can understand why somebody would refuse to take a DNA test (something that could have nothing to do with case), I think it is very unfortunate this man didn't accept to do it. If it wasn't Ervin, at least the family could have "closed this door" and go on to another lead. Now they may always have a doubt that their son is that one man living in West Virgina.