Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP39808) and 1 other source
Ricardo Medrano, age 33, was last seen on March 30, 1996, in Santa Ana, California. On that day, he informed his roommates that he was heading to Tijuana, Mexico, and planned to return the following day. However, Medrano never returned and has not been heard from since. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as having black hair, standing 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighing around 160 pounds.

Medrano’s case has remained unsolved for decades, with no updates on his whereabouts. Authorities have listed his case in various missing person databases, including NamUs, but no significant leads have emerged. His sudden disappearance after planning what seemed like a routine trip continues to perplex investigators and those who knew him.

The search for Medrano remains ongoing, with investigators urging anyone with potential information to come forward to assist in solving this long-standing case.

Last Seen: Mar 30, 1996

Links to Additional Sources (1)

See any mistakes? Let us know!

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.

84%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP3393 • Found Jun 28, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%30 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 53%110 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Industry, California
UP3422 • Found Dec 7, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%20 mi away, same state
TimingFound 20 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%174 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP79003
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP79003 • Found Mar 8, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%32 mi away, same state
TimingFound 25 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%160–180 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP2984
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP2984 • Found May 14, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–43 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%26 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 95%107–140 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
82%Moderate
John Doe — Lynwood, California
UP3502 • Found Jul 27, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 33–43 vs 33
Race 60%Hispanic
Location 97%23 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 85%132 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Commerce, California - unidentified case UP13339
John Doe — Commerce, California
UP13339 • Found Jul 7, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%24 mi away, same state
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%163 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Bombay Beach, California - unidentified case UP15224
John Doe — Bombay Beach, California
UP15224 • Found Sep 11, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 70%126 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 95%180 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — South Gate, California
UP10986 • Found Oct 2, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–38 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%24 mi away, same state
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–6'1" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%157 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
81%Moderate
John Doe — Long Beach, California
UP7575 • Found Jan 19, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 32–46 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%19 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 83%130 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
81%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP3085
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP3085 • Found Jul 11, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–59 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%34 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black 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.