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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 (MP40405) and 2 other sources
In the vast and often unforgiving landscape of the Arizona-Mexico border, the story of Hector Emmanuel Esparza Mariscal's disappearance began on August 15, 2015. At 24 years old, Hector, a Hispanic/Latino and White/Caucasian male, was last seen in Lukeville, a small community in Pima County, Arizona. The circumstances surrounding his last known moments are tied to an attempt to cross the border from Sonoita, Sonora, Mexico. Since that day, his family has been held in a state of unknowing, left without any communication from him. The official report of his disappearance was not filed with the Phoenix Police Department until over two years later, on October 21, 2017, adding a layer of complexity to the investigation from the very beginning. His case is a poignant reminder of the perils faced by those who undertake the dangerous journey across the border, and the lasting anguish experienced by the families left behind.

Hector is described as being 5'8' tall and weighing approximately 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He has a distinctive physical feature: white staining on his front teeth. When he was last seen, he was wearing a long-sleeved camouflage shirt and white tennis shoes in a size 10.5. His personal belongings included a brown wallet containing his voter ID card and business cards with the signature 'P27.' He also wore a braided red thread bracelet. Known by the nickname 'Pelon,' Hector's case is documented under the Phoenix Police Department case number 201700002099638. These details, while specific, have not yet provided the key to unlocking the mystery of his whereabouts. The passage of time has only deepened the concern for his well-being, leaving his loved ones to navigate a world filled with unanswered questions.

The investigation into Hector Esparza Mariscal's disappearance remains open, a cold case that speaks to the broader issue of missing persons in the border region. The lack of any substantial leads or new information since his last known contact has created a painful void for his family. The official circumstances of his disappearance are stark and offer little comfort: he was crossing the border and has not been heard from since. This summary of his case is a somber reflection of the reality for many families whose loved ones have vanished in similar circumstances. The hope for answers and for Hector's safe return endures, a testament to the unwavering love of a family waiting for a resolution that has been years in the making. The overview of this case is one of profound uncertainty and the enduring pain of not knowing the fate of a loved one.

Last Seen: Aug 15, 2015

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.

79%Possible
John Doe — Winterhaven, California
UP15584 • Found May 30, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 98%Est. 25–35 vs 24
Race 100%White
Location 71%122 mi away
TimingFound 10 months after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 93%130 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Eloy, Arizona
UP97199 • Found Jan 16, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 23–34 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 76%95 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4"–5'9" vs 5'8"
76%Possible
John Doe — Lukeville, Arizona - unidentified case UP56605
John Doe — Lukeville, Arizona
UP56605 • Found Dec 20, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 24 when missing
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–6'1" vs 5'8"
76%Possible
John Doe — Winterhaven, California
UP16884 • Found Mar 28, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 18–40 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 71%122 mi away
TimingFound 19 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 150 lb
76%Possible
John Doe — 30 miles west of Ajo, Arizona
UP52756 • Found Feb 10, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 17–30 vs 24 when missing
Location 94%34 mi away, same county
TimingFound 18 months after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'7" vs 5'8"
75%Possible
John Doe — Menagers Dam, Arizona - unidentified case UP106624
John Doe — Menagers Dam, Arizona
UP106624 • Found Feb 4, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–40 vs 24 when missing
Race 60%Hispanic
Location 98%16 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4"–5'8" vs 5'8"
75%Possible
John Doe — Ajo, Arizona - unidentified case UP80720
John Doe — Ajo, Arizona
UP80720 • Found Nov 29, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–32 vs 24 when missing
Race 60%Hispanic
Location 94%34 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'8"
75%Possible
John Doe — west of Ajo, Arizona - unidentified case UP69109
John Doe — west of Ajo, Arizona
UP69109 • Found Nov 30, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 24 when missing
Race 60%Hispanic
Location 94%34 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'8"
75%Possible
John Doe — Calexico, California - unidentified case UP15235
John Doe — Calexico, California
UP15235 • Found May 13, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 18–40 vs 24
Race 100%White
Location 62%166 mi away
TimingFound 9 months after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
Weight 93%170 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Arizona
UP15183 • Found Dec 31, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 23–30 vs 24
Race 60%Hispanic
Location 84%68 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 months after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"

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.