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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 (MP36185) and 4 other sources
Erwin Ernest Bunge, a 34-year-old personal trainer, was last seen on October 10, 1988, in San Bruno, California. He had recently returned from the Seoul Olympic Games, where he had coached boxer Henry Martinez, who competed for El Salvador. On the day of his disappearance, Erwin met with his business partner from his painting contracting company. He left the meeting with plans to return later in the day and to meet a friend in South San Francisco to buy tires, but he never arrived at the meeting, and no one was able to contact him afterward.

Erwin's vehicle, a white 1985 Chevrolet Blazer S-10 with the California license plate 1MOT343, also vanished along with him. Despite efforts to locate him, both Erwin and his vehicle remain missing, and foul play is suspected in his disappearance. Erwin had distinguishing physical features, including a four-inch scar on the back of his left hand, and he stood 5'11" tall, weighing approximately 180 pounds. He was of Hispanic descent and had brown hair and brown eyes.

The case remains unsolved, and authorities continue to seek any information that could lead to a breakthrough. The San Bruno Police Department is handling the investigation, and Erwin’s case is classified as endangered missing. His disappearance has left friends and family searching for answers for more than three decades.

Last Seen: Oct 10, 1988

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.

85%Strong
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5935 • Found Jan 18, 1993
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%10 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
84%Moderate
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP17718 • Found Sep 9, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%16 mi away, same state
TimingFound 23 months after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
Weight 98%160 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Gray vs Brown
84%Moderate
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5927 • Found Oct 2, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 34
Race 100%White
Location 100%10 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 months after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 92%205 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP7082 • Found Aug 21, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%16 mi away, same state
TimingFound 19 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 98%160 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Hazel vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP91361 • Found Feb 5, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 60–70 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%11 mi away, same state
TimingFound 33 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%191 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — San Jose, California
UP127425 • Found Jun 14, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 90%46 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 74%139 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Palo Alto, California - unidentified case UP127061
John Doe — Palo Alto, California
UP127061 • Found May 23, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%21 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 84%5'7"–5'9" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%157–172 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Brisbane, California - unidentified case UP12987
John Doe — Brisbane, California
UP12987 • Found Sep 17, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 26 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 180 lb
80%Moderate
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5946 • Found Jul 7, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%10 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
Weight 98%200 lb vs 180 lb
80%Moderate
John Doe — Burlingame, California
UP9898 • Found Oct 5, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 33–46 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 52%5'7" vs 5'11"
Weight 78%142 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
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.