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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 (MP16866) and 2 other sources
In the vast and often unforgiving landscape of Arizona, the story of Sergio Roniel Zambrano Moreira's disappearance began on November 11, 2011. At the age of 25, the young Hispanic male was last seen attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border into the state. Details surrounding his exact last known location within Arizona remain vague, adding a layer of complexity to the efforts to find him. Sergio was described as being between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 to 160 pounds. He had black hair and black eyes. The Pima County Medical Examiner's Office became the primary investigating agency for his case, which was officially reported on February 19, 2012.

The circumstances of Sergio's disappearance are fraught with the inherent dangers of a border crossing. Many individuals who undertake this perilous journey face numerous risks, from the harsh environmental conditions to the potential for encountering dangerous individuals. For the families left behind, the lack of information and the unknown fate of their loved ones create a profound and enduring sense of grief and uncertainty. The case of Sergio Zambrano Moreira highlights the silent crisis of the many who vanish in this border region, often with very few leads for investigators to follow.

Years have passed since Sergio was last seen, and his case remains an open wound for his family and a somber entry in the national database for missing persons. Despite the passage of time, the official record, as maintained by NamUs provides a stark and unchanging summary of his last known moments. The case, NamUs #MP16866, serves as a digital placeholder for a life interrupted, a reminder of the human story behind the statistics of those who go missing. The investigation, led by the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office, represents the official effort to bring answers, yet the trail has grown cold. The overview of this case is one of ambiguous loss, a narrative common to many families whose loved ones have disappeared while seeking a new life across the border.

Last Seen: Nov 11, 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.

83%Moderate
John Doe — Maricopa, Arizona - unidentified case UP10459
John Doe — Maricopa, Arizona
UP10459 • Found Jan 30, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 25
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 94%34 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 months after last seen
Height 84%5'2" vs 5'4"–5'6"
Weight 74%114 lb vs 150–160 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 90%Brown vs Black
81%Moderate
John Doe — Cowlic, Tohono O'Odham Nation, Arizona - unidentified case UP12076 View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–36 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 71%119 mi away, same county
TimingFound 20 months after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'4"–5'6"
Weight 100%136 lb vs 150–160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 90%Brown vs Black
80%Moderate
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona
UP106028 • Found Jun 21, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 33–58 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%11 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'4"–5'6"
Weight 62%203 lb vs 150–160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 90%Brown vs Black
80%Moderate
John Doe — South Tucson, Arizona - unidentified case UP12008
John Doe — South Tucson, Arizona
UP12008 • Found May 9, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 18–35 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 74%107 mi away, same county
TimingFound 18 months after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'4"–5'6"
Weight 98%133 lb vs 150–160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 90%Brown vs Black
80%Moderate
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 85%Est. 25–45 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 74%103 mi away, same county
TimingFound 18 months after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'4"–5'6"
Weight 99%176 lb vs 150–160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 90%Brown vs Black
79%Possible
John Doe — Picacho, Arizona - unidentified case UP10351
John Doe — Picacho, Arizona
UP10351 • Found Dec 29, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 25
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 86%61 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 weeks after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'4"–5'6"
78%Possible
John Doe — South Mountain, Arizona - unidentified case UP67431
John Doe — South Mountain, Arizona
UP67431 • Found Mar 8, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 16–30 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 98%16 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 84%4'10"–5'2" vs 5'4"–5'6"
78%Possible
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP14499
John Doe — Arizona
UP14499 • Found Jun 30, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–32 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 74%103 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'4"–5'6"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
78%Possible
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP13034
John Doe — Arizona
UP13034 • Found Jun 25, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 74%103 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'4"–5'6"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
78%Possible
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP12091
John Doe — Arizona
UP12091 • Found Sep 24, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 23–38 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 86%61 mi away, same state
TimingFound 22 months after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'4"–5'6"

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.