Crime Solvers Central
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 (MP54196)
Richard Arena III, an 18-year-old Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, was last seen on January 15, 2017. He failed to report for duty that day and was subsequently listed as a deserter by the United States Marine Corps. However, further investigation raised concerns that Arena may not have gone missing voluntarily. This has led some to believe that his disappearance could involve foul play or coercion, but official details remain limited.

Arena, who is Hispanic, stands at 5'1" and weighs around 120 pounds with black hair. Despite his status as a deserter, law enforcement and military personnel have been investigating the possibility that his disappearance may not have been under his control. His case remains unsolved, and the search for answers continues.

Anyone with information about his case is encouraged to contact the relevant authorities.

Last Seen: Jan 15, 2017

Links to Additional Sources (0)

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Possible Unidentified Matches (6)

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.

78%Possible
John Doe — Jamul, California - unidentified case UP90948
John Doe — Jamul, California
UP90948 • Found Sep 14, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 17–20 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 89%49 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 84%5'4"–5'7" vs 5'1"–5'2"
76%Possible
John Doe — San Bernardino, California - unidentified case UP159177
John Doe — San Bernardino, California
UP159177 • Found Mar 30, 2026
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 87%58 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 52%5'6" vs 5'1"–5'2"
Weight 47%183 lb vs 120–140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Riverside, California
UP160854 • Found May 27, 2025
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 84%Est. 28–42 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%40 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 52%5'6" vs 5'1"–5'2"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 120–140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — La Puente, California - unidentified case UP106330
John Doe — La Puente, California
UP106330 • Found Jul 2, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 54%Est. 30–55 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 86%60 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0"–5'5" vs 5'1"–5'2"
Weight 100%140–155 lb vs 120–140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Jurupa Valley, California - unidentified case UP118442
John Doe — Jurupa Valley, California
UP118442 • Found Jun 30, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 55%Est. 28–42 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 90%48 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 84%5'4"–5'6" vs 5'1"–5'2"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 120–140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP58827
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP58827 • Found Jun 25, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 57%Est. 25–50 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 83%72 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2"–5'5" vs 5'1"–5'2"
Weight 100%105–115 lb vs 120–140 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

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.