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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 (MP16727) and 2 other sources
In the vast and often harsh landscape of the Arizona borderlands, the story of Lorenzo Isaias Lopez Cruz's disappearance is a somber reminder of the perils faced by many. At the age of 24, Lorenzo was last seen on March 16, 2011, near the small community of Sasabe, Arizona, a remote outpost on the U.S.-Mexico border. The circumstances surrounding his last known moments are sparse; it is understood that he was in the process of crossing the border from Mexico into the United States. The unforgiving terrain and the inherent dangers of such a journey cast a shadow over his sudden and troubling vanishing.

Lorenzo, a Hispanic male, was described as being 5'3' and weighing approximately 150 pounds, with black hair and dark brown eyes. His appearance was further distinguished by a few unique features: his left ear was pierced, a 3-centimeter lengthwise scar marked his left cheek, and a green tattoo of the letter 'L', about 5 centimeters in length, was on his right hand. On the day he went missing, he was reportedly wearing blue 'Flak Jean' brand jeans in a size 32, a black belt, white socks, and size 6.5 MX 'Kiwi' brand shoes with synthetic white laces. He also carried a green camouflage 'Wilson' brand backpack, which held personal items including a black 'Flexi' cap with the letter 'F', a blue 'Casio' watch, a Virgen de Guadalupe, and his birth certificate. These personal effects paint a picture of a young man on a journey, carrying with him items of both practical and personal significance.

The investigation into Lorenzo's disappearance was opened on April 27, 2011, and is being handled by the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office. The official report of his disappearance was created over a year later, on July 30, 2012. The case of Lorenzo Lopez Cruz is a poignant one, representing the countless individuals who have gone missing in the border region. The lack of information and the passage of time have made the search for answers increasingly difficult, leaving his family and loved ones with a heavy burden of uncertainty. His story underscores the human element behind the complex issues of border crossings and the profound sense of loss that accompanies an unresolved disappearance.

Last Seen: Mar 16, 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.

Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–36 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 94%34 mi away, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%136 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — San Miguel, Arizona - unidentified case UP13163
John Doe — San Miguel, Arizona
UP13163 • Found Jul 1, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–31 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 98%17 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
Weight 80%120 lb vs 150 lb
83%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 24 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%40 mi away, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"
Weight 85%176 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%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 24 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%37 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 months after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
83%Moderate
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 24
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%35 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
Height 84%5'5" vs 5'3"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — northeast of Sasabe, Arizona - unidentified case UP52993
John Doe — northeast of Sasabe, Arizona
UP52993 • Found Aug 7, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–25 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
82%Moderate
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP13034
John Doe — Arizona
UP13034 • Found Jun 25, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%40 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
82%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 24 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 87%59 mi away, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"
Weight 97%133 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Queenswell Village, Arizona - unidentified case UP9067
John Doe — Queenswell Village, Arizona
UP9067 • Found Jul 7, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 24
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 88%53 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
80%Moderate
John Doe — Sells, Arizona - unidentified case UP92525
John Doe — Sells, Arizona
UP92525 • Found May 31, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%35 mi away, same county
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1"–5'5" vs 5'3"
Hair 100%Black vs Black

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.