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 (MP16847) and 2 other sources
On August 30, 2011, a 34-year-old man named Edwin Ernesto Aleman Garcia vanished under concerning circumstances. He was last seen in the area of Nogales, Arizona, at a vulnerable moment, having just crossed the U.S. Mexico border. His disappearance left his loved ones with a profound sense of uncertainty and worry, as the details surrounding the last time anyone had contact with him were sparse, marking the beginning of a long and painful search for answers. At the time he went missing, Edwin, also known by the nickname 'Pelon,' was a Hispanic man, standing at approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 175 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

When he was last seen, Edwin was wearing a black cotton t-shirt and black pants, both size 38. He was also carrying a black backpack, which likely held his personal belongings. These few items are the last known possessions he had with him, painting a stark picture of his final known moments. His family and authorities were left to piece together the puzzle of his disappearance with very little information to go on, a common and heartbreaking reality for many who go missing near the border, a region known for its harsh conditions and inherent dangers. The lack of witnesses and the transient nature of the area made the investigation incredibly challenging from the outset.

Edwin had several distinct physical characteristics that his family hoped would aid in his identification. He had a scar on his left forearm, a small but permanent mark from his past. More prominent were his numerous tattoos, each telling a piece of his life's story. His own name, 'Edwin,' was inked on his back, and the name 'Tomasa' was on his left forearm. His body art also included a cobweb on his left elbow and another on his knee, a skull on his left shoulder, and a peacock on his right calf. On his chest, he had a tattoo of a hand forming horns with the letters M and S on either side, along with the numbers 1 and 3. An image of a gangster was tattooed on his stomach above his belly button, next to a large letter 'M'. The circumstances of Edwin's case are shrouded in ambiguity; he was last seen crossing into Arizona, and then all communication ceased. His case is a somber reminder of the countless individuals who disappear while undertaking perilous journeys, leaving their families in a state of perpetual waiting and hoping for any news.

Last Seen: Aug 30, 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.

82%Moderate
John Doe — Arivaca, Arizona - unidentified case UP10663
John Doe — Arivaca, Arizona
UP10663 • Found Jul 23, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 34
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 95%29 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
82%Moderate
John Doe — Nogales, Arizona - unidentified case UP10775
John Doe — Nogales, Arizona
UP10775 • Found May 12, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–39 vs 34
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 8 months after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Cowlic, Tohono O'Odham Nation, Arizona - unidentified case UP12076 View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–36 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 83%70 mi away, same state
TimingFound 22 months after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"
Weight 75%136 lb vs 175 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Sells, Arizona - unidentified case UP10439
John Doe — Sells, Arizona
UP10439 • Found May 1, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 34
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 84%68 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
79%Possible
John Doe — Near Choulic Village, Arizona - unidentified case UP16478
John Doe — Near Choulic Village, Arizona
UP16478 • Found Sep 12, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–40 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 88%55 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
79%Possible
John Doe — vicinity of New Fields, Arizona - unidentified case UP14173
John Doe — vicinity of New Fields, Arizona
UP14173 • Found Jan 29, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–40 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 89%49 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
79%Possible
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP11971
John Doe — Arizona
UP11971 • Found Jul 28, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 23 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
79%Possible
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 34 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 87%59 mi away, same state
TimingFound 20 months after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"
Weight 72%133 lb vs 175 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%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 85%Est. 25–45 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 20 months after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%176 lb vs 175 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Onion Stand, Tohono O'odham Res, Arizona - unidentified case UP10075 View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 34
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 81%79 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 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.