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 (MP24054) and 2 other sources
In the summer of 1997, a family was forever changed by the disappearance of Maritza Montoya. At thirty-seven years old, Maritza was last known to have been in West New York, New Jersey, a town in Hudson County. The last contact her family had with her was on an unknown day in early August of that year. After that point, her presence in the lives of those who knew her ceased, leaving behind a void filled with unanswered questions and a deepening sense of concern. In the initial stages of any missing person investigation, every detail is crucial, every memory recounted by loved ones is a potential lead. However, the specific details surrounding the moment Maritza was last seen are not publicly available.

As days turned into weeks, and weeks into years, the investigation into Maritza Montoya's disappearance continued, led by the West New York Police Department. The passage of time often presents significant challenges in such cases; memories can fade, and potential evidence can be lost. Despite these obstacles, law enforcement agencies and her family have kept the hope of finding answers alive. The case of Maritza Montoya is a poignant reminder of the silent suffering that accompanies the disappearance of a loved one. Her family has endured decades of uncertainty, a unique and profound form of grief that lacks the finality of closure. Each passing day, each uncelebrated birthday, and each holiday spent with an empty chair serves as a painful reminder of her absence.

The circumstances surrounding Maritza Montoya's disappearance remain a mystery to the public. There is no available information detailing what she was wearing, who she might have been with, or her state of mind in the days leading up to her last contact with family. This lack of public information creates a challenging landscape for those who wish to help or bring renewed attention to her case. The overview of Maritza's case is one of quiet persistence in the face of sparse details. It is a testament to the enduring hope of a family and the dedication of investigators who continue to seek answers in a case that has spanned more than two decades. The hope remains that one day, new information will come to light, providing the long-awaited answers and a measure of peace to those who have never stopped searching for Maritza.

Last Seen: Aug 4, 1997

Links to Additional Sources (2)

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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
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5768
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP5768 • Found Mar 13, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%8 mi away
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 84%5'5" vs 5'3"
Weight 79%138 lb vs 175–185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
Jane Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP6051
Jane Doe — Queens, New York
UP6051 • Found Jun 6, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 99%Est. 40–55 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%12 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 84%5'1" vs 5'3"
Weight 79%138 lb vs 175–185 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
Jane Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP2721
Jane Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP2721 • Found Jan 12, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 79%85 mi away
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 175–185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
Jane Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP6822
Jane Doe — Queens, New York
UP6822 • Found Aug 17, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 37
Race 100%White
Location 99%12 mi away
TimingFound 13 days after last seen
Height 84%5'1" vs 5'3"
Weight 51%118 lb vs 175–185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
Unidentified Person — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5639
Unidentified Person — Brooklyn, New York
UP5639 • Found Nov 6, 2005
View case
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%10 mi away
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 84%5'5" vs 5'3"
Weight 89%147 lb vs 175–185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
Jane Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP2801
Jane Doe — Queens, New York
UP2801 • Found Jul 25, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%12 mi away
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
Weight 59%123 lb vs 175–185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP2771
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP2771 • Found Apr 7, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%8 mi away
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 84%5'1" vs 5'3"
Weight 17%96 lb vs 175–185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
Jane Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP6124
Jane Doe — New York, New York
UP6124 • Found May 8, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 77%Est. 25–35 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%5 mi away
TimingFound 21 months after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
Weight 62%125 lb vs 175–185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
Jane Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP6119
Jane Doe — Queens, New York
UP6119 • Found Mar 17, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%12 mi away
TimingFound 19 months after last seen
Height 52%4'11" vs 5'3"
Weight 51%118 lb vs 175–185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
Jane Doe — Staten Island, New York - unidentified case UP6118
Jane Doe — Staten Island, New York
UP6118 • Found Mar 11, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%17 mi away
TimingFound 19 months after last seen
Height 84%5'1" vs 5'3"

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.