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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 (MP22212) and 1 other source
In the small city of Show Low, Arizona, a quiet and gentle soul named Rueben James Perez was a familiar, albeit nocturnal, presence. At 31 years old, Rueben lived with a mental challenge, and one of his defining routines was to walk through the town at night, sweeping the sidewalks with a broom he often carried. This simple, rhythmic act was a part of the local fabric for those who knew him. However, on or around September 1, 2005, Rueben's familiar presence vanished, leaving his family and community with a profound sense of loss and a multitude of unanswered questions. On that day, Rueben, a Hispanic male with brown hair and brown eyes, standing at five feet, six inches tall, was last seen in his hometown, and the subsequent silence has stretched into years of uncertainty.

The circumstances surrounding Rueben's disappearance are shrouded in mystery, with very few details available to the public or investigators. The primary information known about his last known activities is tied to his nightly ritual of sweeping. It is believed he was engaging in this usual habit when he went missing. The Show Low Police Department opened an investigation into his disappearance, but the case yielded few leads. The lack of witnesses or any signs of foul play has made the investigation particularly challenging. His case was officially entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System years later, highlighting the prolonged and agonizing nature of his family's search for answers.

Years have turned into over a decade, and Rueben Perez's case remains an open and unresolved wound for his loved ones and the community of Show Low. The passage of time has not diminished the hope for answers, but it has certainly deepened the mystery. With no new information or significant developments, his disappearance serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring pain of not knowing. The overview of Rueben's case is one of a vulnerable individual who seemingly vanished without a trace from a place he knew intimately. The absence of his quiet, nightly sweeping is a palpable void, a silent testament to a life interrupted and a community left to wonder what happened to the man who cared for their sidewalks.

Last Seen: Sep 1, 2005

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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Possible Unidentified Matches (7)

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.

77%Possible
John Doe — Comobabi Village, Arizona
UP5454 • Found Aug 2, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 22–35 vs 31
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 58%183 mi away, same state
TimingFound same day as last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Name: same last name as tentative name (Concepcion Perez Alvarado)
76%Possible
John Doe — Tucson, Arizona - unidentified case UP6743
John Doe — Tucson, Arizona
UP6743 • Found Dec 15, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 29–43 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 65%151 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 73%145 lb vs 189 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — North of Choulic village, Arizona - unidentified case UP5409
John Doe — North of Choulic village, Arizona
UP5409 • Found May 20, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 31
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 66%143 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
75%Possible
John Doe — White Horse Pass Village, Arizona - unidentified case UP6418
John Doe — White Horse Pass Village, Arizona
UP6418 • Found Jul 28, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–40 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 70%123 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Casa Grande, Arizona - unidentified case UP6369
John Doe — Casa Grande, Arizona
UP6369 • Found Jul 22, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–40 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 68%137 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
75%Possible
John Doe — Casa Grande, Arizona - unidentified case UP6370
John Doe — Casa Grande, Arizona
UP6370 • Found Jul 22, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 23–32 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 68%137 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–5'8" vs 5'6"
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Amado, Arizona - unidentified case UP6864
John Doe — Amado, Arizona
UP6864 • Found Mar 21, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 31
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 58%186 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 88%159 lb vs 189 lb
Hair 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.

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