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Thomas Ricardo Missing Person Case

Last seen in Half Moon Bay, California on May 22, 1998

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Victim Details

Created

Aug 28, 2019

Case Added

Aug 29, 2019

First Name

Thomas

Last Name

Ricardo

Current Age

Age At Disappearance

Height

67 inches

Weight

150 lbs

Ethnicity

Uncertain

Gender

Male

Last Seen

May 22, 1998

City

Half Moon Bay

State

California

County

San Mateo County

Zip Code

94019

Tribal Land

Agency ID

61013

Agency Name

San Mateo County Sheriff's Office

Agency City

Redwood City

Agency State

California

Agency County

San Mateo County

Agency Zip Code

94063

Agency Contact

Carryn Barker

Contact Job Title

Detective

Agency Address

400 County Center, California

Agency Phone

6505991536

Agency Jurisdiction

County

Agency Type

Law Enforcement

Agency Website

www.smcsheriff.com/contact-us

Agency Case #

98-143-14

Primary Agency

San Mateo County Sheriff's Office

Hair Color

Black

Left Eye Color

Brown

Right Eye Color

Brown

Last Updated

Oct 10, 2026

Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!

Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP59725) and 3 other sources

Thomas Ricardo, a 23-year-old man, went missing on May 22, 1998, from Half Moon Bay, California. At the time of his disappearance, he was known to be involved in flying small aircraft. Eyewitness accounts suggested that he may have been piloting a plane that possibly crashed into the ocean along the Half Moon Bay coastline.

Despite search efforts in the area, including aerial surveys, no wreckage or definitive evidence of his fate has ever been found. The nature of his disappearance, combined with the circumstances surrounding the possible plane crash, has left his case unresolved. Ricardo’s family continues to seek closure and any information that might lead to the discovery of what happened to him.

Given the lack of leads, authorities have classified his case as a missing person investigation. Thomas Ricardo is still considered an endangered missing person, and efforts to gather information about his disappearance are ongoing. If you have any tips or leads regarding his case, local law enforcement agencies encourage you to come forward.
Last Seen: May 22, 1998

Links to Additional Sources (3)

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Missing Person / NamUs #MP59725

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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.

77%Possible

John Doe — California

UP17689 • Found May 10, 1998

View case

Sex ✓Male

Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 23

Location 90%47 mi away, same state

TimingFound same day as last seen

Height 84%5'9" vs 5'7"

Weight 93%170 lb vs 150 lb

Hair 60%Brown vs Black

Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

76%Possible

John Doe — California

UP3068 • Found May 3, 1999

View case

Sex ✓Male

Age 100%Est. 22–35 vs 23

Location 92%39 mi away, same state

TimingFound 11 months after last seen

Height 84%5'5" vs 5'7"

Weight 100%150 lb vs 150 lb

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.

Thomas Ricardo Missing Person Case

Last seen in Half Moon Bay, California on May 22, 1998

Victim Details

Case Description

Links to Additional Sources (3)

Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

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