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Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP53752) and 2 other sources
In the late spring of 2018, a sense of concern fell over a foster home in North Bergen, New Jersey, with the disappearance of 14-year-old Jose Choc-Cucul. On the morning of May 28th, Jose was last seen at approximately 10:00 a.m. after he finished his breakfast and went into his bedroom. A couple of hours later, around noon, his foster parent discovered that the young boy was gone. The following day, May 29th, his foster parent officially reported him as a missing person to the North Bergen Police Department. At the time he vanished, Jose was described as a Hispanic male with brown hair and brown eyes, standing five feet tall and weighing about 100 pounds. He was last seen wearing a blue polo t-shirt, blue jeans, and black sneakers.

The initial investigation into Jose's disappearance brought to light a potential destination. It was believed that the teenager may have been attempting to travel to Alabama. This theory was based on the knowledge that Jose's only known relative in the United States, a man by the name of Emilio Choc-Choc, resided there. This information provided a significant lead for law enforcement, suggesting that Jose's disappearance might have been a case of a runaway attempting to reunite with family. The North Bergen Police Department, assigned with the case number 18-044738, began their investigation, and a caseworker from the Division of Child Protection and Permanency was also involved in the matter.

As time passed, the search for Jose Choc-Cucul continued, with his case being entered into national missing persons databases, including NamUs under case number MP53752. Despite the initial lead of his possible travel to Alabama, very little additional information has been made available to the public regarding the progress of the investigation. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear, and his case is an active missing person investigation. The North Bergen Police Department continues to be the primary agency handling the case, hoping for any information that could lead to his whereabouts and bring him home safely. The lack of updates has left a lingering uncertainty for those concerned for his welfare, highlighting the painful reality for many families of missing children.

Last Seen: May 28, 2018

Links to Additional Sources (2)

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Possible Unidentified Matches (4)

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.

83%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP68078
John Doe — New York, New York
UP68078 • Found Mar 30, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 86%Est. 17–30 vs 14 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%3 mi away
TimingFound 22 months after last seen
Height 100%5'1" vs 5'0"
Weight 67%126 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP147917
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP147917 • Found Jun 26, 2025
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 14 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%8 mi away
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%4'11" vs 5'0"
Weight 100%97 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — West New York, New Jersey - unidentified case UP65027
John Doe — West New York, New Jersey
UP65027 • Found Dec 30, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 60%Est. 19–49 vs 14 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%1 mi away, same county
TimingFound 19 months after last seen
Height 100%4'11" vs 5'0"
Weight 56%130 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Harrison, New York
UP137145 • Found Jan 31, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 12–20 vs 14 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 97%23 mi away
TimingFound 6 years after last seen

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.