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Crime Solvers Central
298 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 (MP52788) and 2 other sources
On May 17, 2017, a 26-year-old man from Guatemala named Milton Leonel Rios-Navas made a final phone call to his family. In that conversation, he shared his intention to cross the border from Mexico into the United States, mentioning he would be traversing through an unknown area in Arizona. At the time he went missing, Rios-Navas was described as a Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes. He stood between 71 and 72 inches tall and weighed approximately 175 to 190 pounds. A notable characteristic was a tattoo on his right arm of a cross and the Roman numeral for 2008, 'MMVIII.' When last in contact, he was thought to be wearing black Jordan running shoes and carrying a black Adidas backpack. He also had a silver-colored watch and a Samsung mobile phone.

The journey Milton Rios-Navas undertook is fraught with peril, particularly through the harsh and unforgiving landscape of the Arizona desert. This region is known for its extreme temperatures and challenging terrain, which pose significant risks to those who attempt to cross it. Cases like that of Rios-Navas are unfortunately not uncommon, as many migrants face life-threatening situations during their travels. Numerous individuals have gone missing in this border region over the years, highlighting the dangers associated with such crossings. The Consulado de Guatemala has been involved in the efforts to find him.

Since his last communication, there has been no further contact with Milton Leonel Rios-Navas. His case is a somber reminder of the many individuals who vanish while attempting to cross the border. The lack of any new information creates a painful uncertainty for his loved ones. The overview of this case shows a young man who embarked on a dangerous journey seeking a different future, only to disappear without a trace in the vast expanse of the Arizona desert. His family is left waiting for answers, a situation shared by many other families whose relatives have gone missing under similar circumstances.

Last Seen: May 17, 2017

Links to Additional Sources (2)

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Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

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.

80%Moderate
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP54493
John Doe — Arizona
UP54493 • Found Sep 10, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 18–39 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8"–6'1" vs 5'11"–6'0"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Near Sells, Arizona - unidentified case UP51752
John Doe — Near Sells, Arizona
UP51752 • Found Apr 25, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 26
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 98%16 mi away, same county
TimingFound 11 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8"–6'0" vs 5'11"–6'0"
80%Moderate
John Doe — west of Sells, Arizona - unidentified case UP54646
John Doe — west of Sells, Arizona
UP54646 • Found Nov 17, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 28–42 vs 26
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 98%16 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 months after last seen
Height 100%5'10"–6'2" vs 5'11"–6'0"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP141662
John Doe — Arizona
UP141662 • Found Nov 24, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–5'11" vs 5'11"–6'0"
79%Possible
John Doe — Sells, Arizona - unidentified case UP109162
John Doe — Sells, Arizona
UP109162 • Found Sep 16, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 98%16 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 84%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'11"–6'0"
78%Possible
John Doe — Topawa, Arizona - unidentified case UP90609
John Doe — Topawa, Arizona
UP90609 • Found Feb 14, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–55 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 98%19 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9"–6'1" vs 5'11"–6'0"
78%Possible
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP67876
John Doe — Arizona
UP67876 • Found Oct 23, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 19–34 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
78%Possible
John Doe — Gila Bend, Arizona
UP57940 • Found Apr 20, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 27–37 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 79%87 mi away, same state
TimingFound 23 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'10" vs 5'11"–6'0"
78%Possible
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP56209
John Doe — Arizona
UP56209 • Found Oct 25, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 17 months after last seen
78%Possible
John Doe — northwest of Robles Junction, Arizona - unidentified case UP50355 View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 26
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 97%21 mi away, same county
TimingFound 9 months 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.