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Jeanette Espeleta Missing Person Case

Last seen in Fullerton, California on Jul 17, 1998

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Victim Details

Jan 3, 2014

Nov 4, 2022

Jeanette

Espeleta

48

20

64 inches

130 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Jul 17, 1998

Fullerton

California

Orange County

14722

Fullerton Police Department

Fullerton

California

Orange County

92832

237 West Commonwealth Avenue, California

7147386700

Local

Law Enforcement

https://www.fullertonpd.org/

01-2417

Fullerton Police Department

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 13, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP23098) and 9 other sources
Jeanette Gomez Espeleta, aged 20, was last seen on July 17, 1998, after leaving her job at a Bank of America branch in Fullerton, California. Jeanette, who was eight months pregnant at the time, was preparing to move back in with her family in Moreno Valley and was excited about becoming a single mother. However, after she left work that day, she disappeared without a trace. Her friends and family grew concerned as it was highly unusual for her to not stay in contact with loved ones.

Authorities later suspected that Jeanette had been abducted and murdered shortly after her disappearance. Her former boyfriend, Richard Tovar, who was believed to be the father of her unborn child, was arrested and charged with her murder. Investigators believed that Tovar, along with two accomplices, killed Jeanette to avoid child support responsibilities. Her body was believed to have been dumped in the ocean near Long Beach after being wrapped in chains or rope. Despite extensive searches, her remains have never been recovered, and her car was reportedly found burned near Rosarito Beach in Mexico.

The case took several legal turns, with one of Tovar's accomplices, Henry Rodriguez, initially convicted but later receiving retrials due to legal complications. Rodriguez eventually pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2020 after serving approximately 20 years in prison. Though Jeanette's body was never found, the case is considered resolved due to the convictions related to her death.
Last Seen: Jul 17, 1998

Links to Additional Sources (9)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Jeanette Gomez Espeleta - The Charley Project
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP23098 | NamUs
  • Boyfriend, 2 Others Jailed in Pregnant Woman's Death
  • Jeanette Gomez Espeleta | State of California - Department of Justice
  • 2210DFCA - Jeanette Gomez Espeleta - Doe Network
  • Hunt on for Woman Missing for a Week - Los Angeles Times
  • Bail cut in half for man awaiting trial in Fullerton double-homicide
  • Jeanette Gormez Espeleta murder - Newspapers.com™
  • Man granted third trial in Orange County double murder - ABC7

    • 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.

    81%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Arleta, California - unidentified case UP104482
    Jane Doe — Arleta, California
    UP104482 • Found Apr 11, 2023
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%39 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 25 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'2"–5'5" vs 5'4"
    Weight 100%125–145 lb vs 130 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Cerritos, California - unidentified case UP85998
    Jane Doe — Cerritos, California
    UP85998 • Found Oct 19, 2021
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 18–25 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%8 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 23 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'2"–5'8" vs 5'4"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP81695
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP81695 • Found Jun 26, 2021
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%24 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 23 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'0"–5'6" vs 5'4"
    Weight 100%136 lb vs 130 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Trabuco Canyon, California - unidentified case UP7691
    Jane Doe — Trabuco Canyon, California
    UP7691 • Found Jan 31, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%24 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'1" vs 5'4"
    Weight 94%113 lb vs 130 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    Jane Doe — Camp Pendleton South, California
    UP152658 • Found Sep 11, 2001
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 78%Est. 25–35 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 88%54 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'2" vs 5'4"
    Weight 100%125 lb vs 130 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP59708
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP59708 • Found Aug 24, 2019
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 40–65 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%23 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 21 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'0"–5'6" vs 5'4"
    Weight 100%110–130 lb vs 130 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — Santa Clarita, California
    UP11671 • Found Apr 10, 2013
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 98%Est. 35–45 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%50 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 15 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3" vs 5'4"
    Weight 100%120 lb vs 130 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    77%Possible
    Jane Doe — Stanton, California - unidentified case UP7690
    Jane Doe — Stanton, California
    UP7690 • Found Sep 11, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 19–30 vs 20 when missing
    Location 100%6 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3" vs 5'4"
    Weight 65%165 lb vs 130 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    Jane Doe — Carlsbad, California - unidentified case UP128322
    Jane Doe — Carlsbad, California
    UP128322 • Found Aug 12, 2024
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 75%Est. 50–60 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 86%61 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 26 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3" vs 5'4"
    Weight 91%111 lb vs 130 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP94448
    Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP94448 • Found Jun 18, 2022
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 61%Est. 50–60 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%20 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 24 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'2"–5'4" vs 5'4"
    Weight 100%140–150 lb vs 130 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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Jeanette Gomez Espeleta, 20, was last seen on July 17, 1998, after leaving her job at a Bank of... ...Read More
    12/14/2023

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