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 (MP21136) and 5 other sources
Guadalupe "Lupe" Dailey, aged 26, was last seen on August 31, 1997, in Santee, California. She was preparing to go on a trip to Las Vegas over the Labor Day weekend with a male friend but never showed up. After her disappearance, her white Toyota pickup truck was discovered at the La Petite Academy, where she worked as a co-director. Inside her apartment, investigators found all of her personal belongings, including photos of her children, indicating that her departure was sudden and unplanned.

Guadalupe was in the process of divorcing her husband, James Dailey, at the time. He was described as being verbally abusive and obsessed with violent thoughts, reportedly telling coworkers he could make her disappear without a trace. Despite these concerning statements, there had been no prior incidents of violence between them. James claimed that they argued the day she disappeared, after which he went boating to relax. However, investigators found inconsistencies in his story, and he was later charged and convicted of her murder in 2001, despite her body never being found.

Guadalupe's case is classified as endangered missing, and her remains have never been recovered. James Dailey was sentenced to 25 years to life for her murder. The case continues to be of interest to law enforcement and the public, and Guadalupe's family still seeks closure.

Last Seen: Aug 31, 1997

Possible Unidentified Matches (6)

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.

78%Possible
Jane Doe — Camp Pendleton South, California
UP152658 • Found Sep 11, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 26 when missing
Location 94%33 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'3"
Weight 93%125 lb vs 110 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — El Cajon, California - unidentified case UP109913
Jane Doe — El Cajon, California
UP109913 • Found Sep 22, 2023
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 26 when missing
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 26 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%111 lb vs 110 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — El Cajon, California
UP55892 • Found Jun 11, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 26 when missing
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1"–5'4" vs 5'3"
76%Possible
Jane Doe — Palm Springs, California - unidentified case UP161439
Jane Doe — Palm Springs, California
UP161439 • Found Jul 18, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 26 when missing
Location 83%72 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%102 lb vs 110 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
Jane Doe — Carlsbad, California - unidentified case UP128322
Jane Doe — Carlsbad, California
UP128322 • Found Aug 12, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 26 when missing
Location 96%27 mi away, same county
TimingFound 27 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%111 lb vs 110 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
Jane Doe — Oceanside, California - unidentified case UP11738
Jane Doe — Oceanside, California
UP11738 • Found Aug 11, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 88%Est. 15–25 vs 26 when missing
Location 94%31 mi away, same county
TimingFound 23 months after last seen
Height 84%5'1" vs 5'3"
Weight 56%143 lb vs 110 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.