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 (MP50527) and 2 other sources
David Rico, a 30-year-old man from Sacramento, California, was last seen on January 1, 1980. He vanished without a trace, and his case has remained unsolved for decades. Despite various attempts to uncover information about his disappearance, no substantial leads have emerged, leaving his family and authorities with more questions than answers. Rico's disappearance is one of many unsolved cases from the 1980s in Sacramento, a time when missing person cases were often difficult to solve due to the lack of modern forensic technology.

Rico's case is currently listed in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), which serves as a central database for missing individuals. Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information to come forward, as the lack of details about his last known movements complicates any investigation. Although decades have passed, the hope for resolution persists, with crowdsourcing efforts aiming to bring attention to long-forgotten cases like his. Public awareness and the advancement of forensic science offer a glimmer of hope in finding closure for his family.

Given the sparse information surrounding his disappearance, the circumstances under which David Rico went missing remain a mystery. The fact that he was last seen on New Year's Day in 1980 adds a peculiar detail to the case, but whether this date had any specific significance remains unclear. His case continues to be highlighted by organizations dedicated to solving cold cases and bringing attention to those who remain missing.

Last Seen: Jan 1, 1980

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.

81%Moderate
John Doe — Sacramento, California
UP2404 • Found May 12, 1982
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 30 when missing
Race 60%White
Location 94%33 mi away, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 96%145 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Stockton, California
UP87371 • Found Sep 7, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 91%45 mi away, same state
TimingFound 42 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9"–6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%161–170 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Stockton, California
UP68547 • Found Oct 24, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 91%44 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%171 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Newman, California - unidentified case UP13001
John Doe — Newman, California
UP13001 • Found Feb 1, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 77%91 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%180 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Menlo Park, California - unidentified case UP10544
John Doe — Menlo Park, California
UP10544 • Found Aug 29, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–35 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 79%87 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%153 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5872 • Found Oct 16, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 30 when missing
Race 60%White
Location 82%75 mi away, same state
TimingFound 22 months after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%153 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Oakland, California - unidentified case UP17750
John Doe — Oakland, California
UP17750 • Found Sep 30, 1992
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 84%68 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'11"
Weight 88%191 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Denair, California
UP13292 • Found Mar 8, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 80%82 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 52%5'7" vs 5'11"
Weight 96%145 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — San Jose, California
UP124017 • Found May 4, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 78%90 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 52%5'7" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%157 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — San Martin, California
UP123466 • Found Apr 13, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 30 when missing
Race 60%White
Location 74%104 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%155 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
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.