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 (MP36755) and 9 other sources
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

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.

83%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP3022 • Found Jul 25, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 62–72 vs 68 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%30 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
Weight 99%155 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Black
81%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP13458
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP13458 • Found Oct 7, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 65–80 vs 68 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%30 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'10" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%134 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Black
Eyes 60%Hazel vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP3030
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP3030 • Found Apr 9, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 60–80 vs 68 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%30 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'5"
Weight 58%99 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Sylmar, California - unidentified case UP15197
John Doe — Sylmar, California
UP15197 • Found Oct 8, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 70 vs 68 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%51 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 84%4'10"–5'3" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%141 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — California - unidentified case UP2965
John Doe — California
UP2965 • Found Dec 17, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 68 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%30 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
Weight 62%179 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP3088
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP3088 • Found May 4, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 65–85 vs 68
Race 100%White
Location 95%30 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 weeks after last seen
Height 68%5'8" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%138 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP77704
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP77704 • Found Dec 31, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 68 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%30 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'8" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%140–160 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Jurupa Valley, California
UP109282 • Found Nov 1, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 78–92 vs 68 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%31 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 68%5'8" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%138 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Hemet, California
UP118449 • Found Feb 14, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 68 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%51 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 84%5'3" vs 5'5"
Weight 77%110 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP101827
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP101827 • Found Feb 10, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 60–70 vs 68 when missing
Race 60%Hispanic
Location 96%26 mi away, same state
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4"–5'6" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%140–160 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 70%Gray 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.