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 (MP32164) and 5 other sources
Christopher Stevens Sylvia, a 28-year-old hiker, went missing on February 16, 2015, while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in San Diego County, California. Sylvia began his hike on February 12, 2015, heading south from the Anza area toward Campo. On February 16, he called a friend, asking to be picked up the following day at a Buddhist Temple on Chihuahua Valley Road near Warner Springs. However, Sylvia never arrived at the rendezvous point.

On February 20, another hiker discovered Sylvia's gear, including his backpack, sleeping bag, and identification, abandoned near mile marker 127 of the PCT, close to Mike's Place, a known location for hikers. Despite extensive search efforts involving search and rescue teams, no further clues to Sylvia's whereabouts were found, and he remains missing. Sylvia was described as an experienced outdoorsman, and his family has stated it was uncharacteristic of him to hike alone or leave his gear behind.

The search for Sylvia has continued, with organizations and hikers maintaining awareness, but as of today, his case remains unsolved.

Last Seen: Feb 16, 2015

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.

82%Moderate
John Doe — Indio, California
UP17830 • Found Jul 26, 2016
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%40 mi away, same state
TimingFound 17 months after last seen
Height 68%5'5" vs 5'8"–5'9"
Weight 100%142 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
81%Moderate
John Doe — La Habra, California - unidentified case UP16279
John Doe — La Habra, California
UP16279 • Found Oct 18, 2015
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 27–28 vs 28
Race 100%White
Location 79%87 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"–5'9"
Weight 100%141 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
80%Moderate
John Doe — Ocotillo, California
UP16346 • Found Jan 15, 2017
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%53 mi away, same state
TimingFound 23 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"–5'9"
79%Possible
John Doe — Calexico, California - unidentified case UP15235
John Doe — Calexico, California
UP15235 • Found May 13, 2016
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Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 18–40 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 81%78 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 months after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'8"–5'9"
Weight 100%170 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
78%Possible
John Doe — San Diego, California - unidentified case UP54015
John Doe — San Diego, California
UP54015 • Found Mar 10, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 28
Race 60%Hispanic
Location 88%55 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 weeks after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'9" vs 5'8"–5'9"
Weight 100%160–170 lb vs 155 lb
77%Possible
John Doe — Hawthorne, California - unidentified case UP88645
John Doe — Hawthorne, California
UP88645 • Found Jan 11, 2022
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Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 74%107 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'11" vs 5'8"–5'9"
Weight 100%140 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
77%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP16874
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP16874 • Found Jul 20, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 75%102 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10"–6'2" vs 5'8"–5'9"
77%Possible
John Doe — Winterhaven, California
UP15584 • Found May 30, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 70%123 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 months after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"–5'9"
Weight 88%130 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
77%Possible
John Doe — Riverside, California
UP17829 • Found Sep 26, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 60%Est. 20–50 vs 28
Race 100%White
Location 85%64 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 months after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'8"–5'9"
Weight 100%166 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP137125
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP137125 • Found Nov 16, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 74%105 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"–5'9"
Weight 100%155 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 30%Blue vs Hazel

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.