Crime Solvers Central
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 (MP14474) and 2 other sources
In the vast and often unforgiving landscape of the Arizona desert, the story of Francisco Antonio Lopez, a 49-year-old man, unfolds with a quiet and troubling uncertainty. On December 17, 2011, a day that for many was filled with the usual routines and rhythms of life, Francisco, also known to his loved ones as 'Tono,' was last seen in the small border community of Sasabe, Arizona. His disappearance began after he crossed the border at Sasabe; he was reportedly left alone at a location said to be about five hours from Phoenix. From that moment, Francisco vanished, leaving behind a void filled with unanswered questions and the lingering hope of his family.

Francisco is described as a Hispanic male, standing between 5'7' and 5'9' tall, and weighing approximately 190 to 210 pounds at the time he went missing. He had black hair, which he sometimes wore with a mustache, and brown eyes. His loved ones remember distinct physical marks that made him unique: a scar on his right arm from a dog bite and a mole on his right eyebrow. The day he was last seen, he was thought to be wearing a green shirt, a blue shirt, a pair of green dress pants, blue jeans, and a dark blue jacket. He also had on black shoes and a silver watch. He carried with him a black backpack containing his driver's license and a small, cherished wedding photograph, a poignant reminder of the life and connections he left behind.

The circumstances surrounding Francisco's disappearance are sparse and leave much to the imagination. The detail that he was left five hours from Phoenix provides a vast and challenging area for any search efforts. The Pima County Medical Examiner's Office is the investigating agency in his case, a detail that underscores the serious concerns for his well-being from the outset. Without any significant leads or new information, the case has grown cold over the years, a silent testament to the many who disappear without a trace. The overview of Francisco's case is one of an abrupt and perplexing disappearance. A man, in the middle of a journey, is suddenly gone, his destination never reached. The lack of information and the passage of time have created a painful and enduring mystery for his family and all who knew him.

Last Seen: Dec 17, 2011

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.

80%Moderate
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP15182
John Doe — Arizona
UP15182 • Found Dec 7, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 49 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%40 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"–5'9"
79%Possible
John Doe — South Komelic, Arizona - unidentified case UP122557
John Doe — South Komelic, Arizona
UP122557 • Found Aug 19, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 49 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 97%21 mi away, same county
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'7" vs 5'7"–5'9"
79%Possible
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP11297
John Doe — Arizona
UP11297 • Found Apr 28, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 49 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%40 mi away, same county
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'7"–5'9"
77%Possible
John Doe — Rio Rico, Arizona - unidentified case UP122524
John Doe — Rio Rico, Arizona
UP122524 • Found Oct 14, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 49 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 94%33 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'7" vs 5'7"–5'9"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
77%Possible
John Doe — northwest of Lukeville, Arizona - unidentified case UP56491
John Doe — northwest of Lukeville, Arizona
UP56491 • Found Dec 1, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–50 vs 49 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 81%80 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–5'11" vs 5'7"–5'9"
Name: same last name as tentative name (Alejandro Lopez Espinoza)
77%Possible
John Doe — west of Cowlic Village, Arizona
UP53098 • Found Feb 3, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 49 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 94%34 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8"–6'1" vs 5'7"–5'9"
77%Possible
John Doe — Why, Arizona - unidentified case UP14766
John Doe — Why, Arizona
UP14766 • Found Aug 22, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 49 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 78%88 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"–5'9"
77%Possible
John Doe — Tohono O'odham Nation, Arizona - unidentified case UP13878
John Doe — Tohono O'odham Nation, Arizona
UP13878 • Found Oct 30, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 32–48 vs 49 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 90%46 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'7"–5'9"
77%Possible
John Doe — Near Big Field Village, Arizona - unidentified case UP11595
John Doe — Near Big Field Village, Arizona
UP11595 • Found May 8, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 60%Est. 25–45 vs 49 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%40 mi away, same county
TimingFound 17 months after last seen
Height 68%5'4" vs 5'7"–5'9"
Weight 100%176 lb vs 190–210 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Sells, Arizona - unidentified case UP10635
John Doe — Sells, Arizona
UP10635 • Found Jul 10, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 49
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%35 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 months after last seen

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.