Twenty years after the disappearance of Miguel Oliveras in Portland, Maine, police say they are making significant progress in uncovering what happened the night he went missing. Oliveras, who was 24 years old at the time, was last seen in the early morning hours of September 2, 2006, at the Platinum Plus club, now known as Rick’s Cabaret.

Authorities believe that Oliveras was killed and are attempting to locate his remains. Portland Police Lieutenant Nicholas Goodman stated that investigators have identified three persons of interest connected to the case. Two of these individuals are deceased, while the third has retained legal counsel and is currently not cooperating with law enforcement. Goodman described this lack of cooperation as a "red flag" but said the investigation remains on course.

The case is being pursued jointly by Portland police and the FBI. In March, the FBI increased its reward for information regarding Oliveras’s whereabouts from $12,000 to $25,000, which prompted a surge in tips over the following five months. According to officials, no credible sightings of Oliveras have been reported since his disappearance. At the time he vanished, Oliveras was approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighed around 170 pounds, and bore distinct tattoos on his neck, back, shoulder, and hand.

Family members have expressed deep anguish over the unresolved case. Oliveras’s mother, Myrna Gonzalez, urged anyone with information to come forward, stating, "I need my closure."

Police have reviewed security footage capturing Oliveras alongside the three persons of interest inside the club and departing together. Investigators have been thorough in interviewing all individuals they believe are involved directly or indirectly with the case. Goodman emphasized that they have narrowed down the timeline of Oliveras’s final days by analyzing text messages and movements linked to the identified individuals.

Oliveras had traveled to Portland reportedly because he was dating or casually seeing a female entertainer in the area. Investigators believe an altercation occurred inside the club that evening, although they do not consider it related to his disappearance, as Oliveras left the venue without incident following the incident.

The search for Oliveras’s remains is ongoing, primarily in Maine, but leads have also extended to Massachusetts and Florida. Police are collaborating with anthropologists and plan to conduct another search using trained dogs and specialized equipment in locations they deem most promising.

Goodman said the ultimate goal is twofold: to find Oliveras’s remains and bring closure to his family, and to hold accountable anyone responsible if a murder is confirmed. He noted that in recent years, the department has successfully resolved seven cold cases and is optimistic about solving several more, including this one.

“We’re not going to stop until we find him,” Goodman said.