Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 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 (MP34757) and 8 other sources
Darlene M. Ortega, a 47-year-old mother and grandmother, vanished from Zion, Illinois, on June 19, 2016. Known to her loved ones as 'Chuqui,' she was a woman with distinctive tattoos: the name 'Ricky' on her right thigh and another tattoo on her right leg. Described as a White/Caucasian and Hispanic/Latino woman with brown hair and brown eyes, she stood between 4'11' and 5'1' tall and weighed between 155 and 160 pounds. Her disappearance has left her family searching for answers for years, a painful void in their lives that remains unfilled. The circumstances surrounding the day she was last seen are not widely publicized, adding to the mystery and the distress of her family.

The official investigation into Darlene's disappearance was launched on July 4, 2016, by the Zion Police Department. Her case is listed in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System under case number MP34757. Despite the passage of time, information regarding the specifics of her last known whereabouts and what she was wearing remains scarce in public records. The lack of significant public updates or leads over the years has compounded the anguish for her family, who are left to wonder what happened to her.

The investigation into Darlene Ortega's disappearance remains open. Law enforcement has not released details about any potential suspects or persons of interest. The case is a stark reminder of the many individuals who go missing each year, leaving behind families caught in a perpetual state of uncertainty. The overview of this case highlights a situation with limited available information, a common and difficult challenge in many long-term missing persons investigations. Her family and community continue to hope for a resolution and for answers that will bring them peace.

Last Seen: Jun 19, 2016

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

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.

76%Possible
Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP101280 • Found Feb 28, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 47 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%38 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 75%4'8"–5'3" vs 4'11"–5'1"
Hair 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.