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Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP60583) and 2 other sources
In the winter of 2000, in the small mountain town of Frisco, Colorado, a 41-year-old man named Rafael Zapata seemingly vanished. The last confirmed sighting of Rafael was by a friend with whom he had made plans to meet up with later that same afternoon. However, Rafael never arrived for their planned get-together. Concern grew when he also failed to report for his job the following day. From that point on, no one has reported seeing or hearing from him. The Summit County Sheriff's Office was notified of his disappearance, and an official report was filed.

At the time he went missing, Rafael was described as a Hispanic male, standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing approximately 185 pounds. He had black hair and brown eyes. The investigation into his disappearance was launched by the Summit County Sheriff's Office, under case number 2000-3270. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, the details surrounding his last known hours remain scarce. There was no indication of foul play at the outset, and the circumstances of his disappearance left few clues for investigators to follow.

Years have passed since Rafael Zapata was last seen, and his case has grown cold. His personal information has been entered into national databases for missing persons in the hope that a new lead may one day emerge. The lack of any substantial developments has left his family and the community with lingering questions and a sense of unresolved loss. The Summit County Sheriff's Office continues to hold the case file, a silent testament to a life interrupted. The case of Rafael Zapata is a somber reminder of the enduring pain and uncertainty that surrounds a person who disappears without a trace.

Last Seen: Dec 20, 2000

Links to Additional Sources (2)

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Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

76%Possible
John Doe — Aurora, Colorado - unidentified case UP16278
John Doe — Aurora, Colorado
UP16278 • Found Dec 13, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 41 when missing
Race 60%White
Location 83%71 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%191 lb vs 185 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Bayamon, Puerto Rico
UP12760 • Found Nov 24, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 87%59 mi away
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 68%5'8" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%180 lb vs 185 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.