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 (MP28020) and 3 other sources
Mario Yerba Meza, a 22-year-old Hispanic male, was last seen on April 4, 2000, at his home in Laguna Niguel, California. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a white shirt, black slacks, and black shoes. Mario has black hair, brown eyes, and stands 5'3" tall, weighing around 160 pounds. A distinguishing feature is the tattoo of his first name, "Mario," on his left finger. Despite his family and authorities' efforts, Mario has never been heard from again, and few details have emerged about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

His case is being handled by the Orange County Sheriff's Department, but after more than two decades, the investigation has not led to any significant breakthroughs. Mario remains listed as a missing person, and his family continues to hope for answers about his whereabouts.

If anyone has any information regarding his case, they are encouraged to contact the authorities.

Last Seen: Apr 4, 2000

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 — Lake Elsinore, California - unidentified case UP112534
John Doe — Lake Elsinore, California
UP112534 • Found Sep 9, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 96%24 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"
Weight 79%127 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP12377
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP12377 • Found Jan 12, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 90%48 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1"–5'5" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%157 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Redlands, California - unidentified case UP9086
John Doe — Redlands, California
UP9086 • Found Jul 27, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 89%50 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%158 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Jurupa Valley, California - unidentified case UP118442
John Doe — Jurupa Valley, California
UP118442 • Found Jun 30, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%37 mi away, same state
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4"–5'6" vs 5'3"
Weight 89%135 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP16226 • Found Dec 2, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 89%49 mi away, same state
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0"–5'6" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%170–200 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Compton, California
UP10299 • Found Dec 26, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–28 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%39 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 84%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%163 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP149750
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP149750 • Found Aug 9, 2025
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–55 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 89%49 mi away, same state
TimingFound 25 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2"–5'4" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%135–150 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP17827
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP17827 • Found Apr 12, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 89%49 mi away, same state
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 84%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%175–190 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — North Hills, California - unidentified case UP17371
John Doe — North Hills, California
UP17371 • Found Dec 23, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 98%Est. 40–55 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%169 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — La Puente, California - unidentified case UP106330
John Doe — La Puente, California
UP106330 • Found Jul 2, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–55 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%37 mi away, same state
TimingFound 23 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0"–5'5" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%140–155 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.