The parents of Katya Chetina, who disappeared at the age of five during a family hike in 2010, continue their search after 15 years. Despite the passage of time, Vladimir and Natalya Chetin remain hopeful and are actively seeking answers regarding their daughter’s disappearance.

On June 12, 2010, Katya disappeared while on a family outing near the Ermak Rock, close to Kungur. The group of 15 friends and relatives were enjoying a day of recreation when the young girl went missing. After playing with other children, Katya’s mother noticed her absence and a frantic search ensued. The parents discovered a flip-flop and a child’s footprint, intensifying their concern.

The police were notified, but the initial response was reportedly delayed due to another incident in a nearby town. Divers searched the river but found nothing. A criminal case was opened a month later, alongside a search case, with an early theory focusing on the possibility of drowning.

Vladimir Chetin remains convinced that his daughter did not drown and believes she was either taken or kidnapped. He points to alleged eyewitness accounts of a man carrying a girl in a boat and reports of a girl resembling Katya seen at various locations, including a children’s camp and an airport.

The Chetins also conducted their own experiment, releasing weighted wooden blocks into the river to simulate a child’s body, to see if it would surface. They provided the data to the investigators.

Over the years, the family has received numerous tips and leads, some of which have proven to be false. Scammers have even attempted to exploit the family’s distress, with one convict demanding a ransom for information about Katya.

Despite these challenges, the Chetins remain united and dedicated to finding their daughter. They continue to pursue leads and advocate for further investigation into the case. The family celebrates Katya’s birthday each year, holding onto the hope that she will one day return home.