Fernando Preciado Missing Person Case

In the vast and often unforgiving landscape of the Arizona-Mexico border, a 31-year-old man named Fernando Córdova Preciado vanished in the summer of 2010. On August 3rd of that year, Fernando was last known to be attempting to cross the border into the United States. His intended crossing point was either near Lukeville or Nogales, two communities that frequently see such journeys. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as a Hispanic male, standing between 5'6' and 5'8' tall, and weighing between 165 and 185 pounds. He had black hair and black eyes. A distinguishing feature was a pierced ear. When he was last seen, he was wearing light blue jeans and dark brown sandals. He was also carrying a black Nokia cell phone.

The circumstances surrounding Fernando's disappearance are fraught with the inherent dangers of crossing the border in remote and often perilous terrain. The journey itself is a significant risk, with natural hazards such as extreme heat and a lack of water, alongside the potential for encountering dangerous individuals. For families of those who go missing in this region, the uncertainty is a heavy burden. The Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner took a report on his disappearance on December 6, 2010, several months after he was last seen. This suggests that a significant period of time passed before his family was able to officially report him missing, a common occurrence in cases involving border crossings.

The investigation into Fernando Preciado's whereabouts has been ongoing, with his case being listed in national databases for missing persons. His case is a poignant example of the many individuals who disappear while attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, leaving their loved ones in a state of perpetual ambiguity. The lack of concrete leads or witnesses makes these cases incredibly challenging to resolve. The overview of this case is one of a man who undertook a dangerous journey with the hope of a different future, only to disappear without a trace in the Arizona desert, leaving behind a family searching for answers.
Last Seen: Aug 3, 2010

Missing Person / NamUs

Fernando Preciado in people