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Crime Solvers Central
298 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 (MP23411) and 3 other sources
In the quiet, rural community of Orondo, Washington, a story of profound uncertainty began to unfold around the first of January, 2014. On that day, Joaquin Bernal-Valenzuela, a 45-year-old Hispanic/Latino and White/Caucasian male, was last seen. The exact details of his activities on that day remain unclear to the public, but it marked the last time friends or family would have contact with him. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as being between 5'9' and 5'10' tall and weighing between 200 and 230 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. The day he went missing was the start of a long and painful journey for his loved ones, a journey marked by unanswered questions and the ache of an absence that has yet to be explained.

Following his disappearance, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office opened an investigation into the case of Joaquin Bernal-Valenzuela. However, the public record holds very little information about the specifics of their efforts or any leads that may have been pursued. Unlike many other missing person cases that draw significant media attention and public campaigns, Joaquin's story has largely remained out of the spotlight. This lack of public information has created a void for those who knew him and for a community left to wonder about the fate of one of their own. The silence surrounding his case is a heavy one, leaving a palpable sense of unresolved loss and a mystery that has deepened with each passing year.

The case of Joaquin Bernal-Valenzuela is a somber reminder of the many individuals who vanish without a trace, leaving behind families to grapple with the ambiguity of their whereabouts. With no clear indications of his state of mind, his plans, or any individuals he may have been with, investigators have been left with a difficult puzzle to solve. The official circumstances of his disappearance are simply stated as him being last seen at his address. This lack of detail provides a stark and unsettling overview of a case that has grown cold over time, yet remains an open wound for the family and friends who continue to hope for answers and closure. The passage of time has not diminished the need for resolution, and the question of what happened to Joaquin Bernal-Valenzuela in the winter of 2014 remains unanswered.

Last Seen: Jan 1, 2014

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.

75%Possible
John Doe — Oregon - unidentified case UP13740
John Doe — Oregon
UP13740 • Found Apr 4, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 45 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 64%153 mi away
TimingFound 15 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"–5'10"
Hair 60%Brown 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.