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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 (MP16835) and 3 other sources
In the late summer of 2011, a young man named Josue Cruz Roman, aged 20, embarked on a journey with his father that would tragically separate them. On August 21, 2011, while crossing the U.S.-Mexico border near San Luis, Arizona, Josue vanished. The details surrounding the exact moment and reason for their separation remain unclear, leaving his family with unanswered questions and profound grief. At the time of his disappearance, Josue was described as a Hispanic male, standing between 5'6' and 5'7' tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds. He had brown hair and brown eyes, with a distinctive cloudy left eye. His body was adorned with several tattoos: the name 'Aralezi' from his right elbow to his hand, the letters 'M' and 'A' from his left elbow to his hand, and the word 'Guadalupe' in the middle of his back. He also had a piercing in his right ear and a three-centimeter scar on his forehead, just above his right eye.

Josue was last seen wearing a light grey short-sleeved t-shirt with an Arizona Cardinals logo, size 34 light blue jeans with small side pockets, and light blue boxer shorts. He also had on a two-sided Nautica windbreaker, one side light grey and the other red and white, with the brand's logo on the left arm. For footwear, he wore grey and black 'Jordan' brand tennis shoes. He carried a 'Southpole' brand backpack and wore a green camouflage hat. Among his belongings was a bus ticket in his name for the 'TRANSPORTE DEL NORTE DE SONORA' with a route from Distrito Federal to San Luis Rio Colorado. These specific details about his clothing and possessions offer a poignant glimpse into the last known moments before he went missing, painting a picture of a young man on a significant journey that took an unforeseen and heartbreaking turn.

The circumstances of Josue Cruz Roman's disappearance highlight the perilous nature of border crossings and the profound human stories that are often lost in the broader narrative of immigration. For his family, the lack of information and the passage of time without any new leads have undoubtedly been a source of immense and ongoing pain. His case is a somber reminder of the many individuals who go missing each year, leaving behind families to grapple with the ambiguity and sorrow of not knowing what happened to their loved ones. The investigation into his disappearance, led by the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office, continues in the hope that one day, answers may be found and his family may finally have some measure of closure. The overview of this case underscores the vulnerability of individuals in transient situations and the enduring hope of those who are left behind to search for answers.

Last Seen: Aug 21, 2011

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.

81%Moderate
John Doe — Calexico, California - unidentified case UP14740
John Doe — Calexico, California
UP14740 • Found Jul 28, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 91%44 mi away
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 90%170 lb vs 200 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Ocotillo, California - unidentified case UP12337
John Doe — Ocotillo, California
UP12337 • Found Sep 12, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 83%73 mi away
TimingFound 3 weeks after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'6"–5'7"
79%Possible
John Doe — Yuma, Arizona - unidentified case UP95028
John Doe — Yuma, Arizona
UP95028 • Found Jul 27, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 98%17 mi away, same county
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Calexico, California
UP11876 • Found Oct 27, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 60%White
Location 91%44 mi away
TimingFound 14 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 80%160 lb vs 200 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Near Dateland, Arizona - unidentified case UP17417
John Doe — Near Dateland, Arizona
UP17417 • Found Oct 10, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 82%75 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"–5'7"
77%Possible
John Doe — Winterhaven, California
UP15584 • Found May 30, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 97%Est. 25–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 60%White
Location 97%19 mi away
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 42%130 lb vs 200 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Yuma, Arizona - unidentified case UP13188
John Doe — Yuma, Arizona
UP13188 • Found Nov 4, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 20 when missing
Race 60%White
Location 98%16 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 80%160 lb vs 200 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Compton, California
UP10299 • Found Dec 26, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–28 vs 20
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 53%221 mi away
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 83%163 lb vs 200 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Papago, Arizona - unidentified case UP9196
John Doe — Papago, Arizona
UP9196 • Found Jul 23, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 20
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 60%174 mi away, same state
TimingFound same day as last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — San Ysidro, California
UP89850 • Found Jan 29, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 95%Est. 30–45 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 69%132 mi away
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 100%190 lb vs 200 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 90%Black 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.