Mario Rodriguez Hernandez, a 68-year-old jewelry salesman, was last seen on March 17, 2005, in Santa Ana, California. He left his home in the Town and Country Village mobile home park around 8 a.m. for a scheduled appointment to sell jewelry, promising to return before lunch. Hernandez, who had previously suffered strokes and used a cane to walk, was a door-to-door salesman, known for carrying his entire collection of jewelry with him that day. His family became alarmed when he failed to answer phone calls or attend a planned dinner.
A week later, Hernandez's van was found abandoned in Mission Viejo, with a strong smell of gasoline inside, but there were no immediate signs of foul play. Investigations later revealed that one of his clients, Rebeca Diaz-Nivarez, had pawned a significant amount of jewelry, traced back to Hernandez, shortly after his disappearance. Diaz-Nivarez and her son, Ricardo, were eventually charged with his murder, although Hernandez's body has never been found. Both were convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
Despite the convictions, Hernandez's remains have not been recovered, and his disappearance remains an open case.
Last Seen: Mar 17, 2005
