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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 (MP16585) and 1 other source
In the vast and often unforgiving landscape of the Arizona desert, the story of Jose Manuel Cortez Garcia's disappearance began on July 11, 2010. At 27 years old, he was last seen in Lukeville, a small community on the U.S.-Mexico border in Pima County. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance are sparse, with the primary detail being that he was last known to be crossing the border from Mexico into the United States. His case is a somber reminder of the perils faced by those who undertake such journeys, often disappearing into the harsh environment without a trace. The official report was filed with the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office on July 27, 2010, sixteen days after he was last seen.

At the time he went missing, Jose was described as a Hispanic male, standing at 5'3' and weighing between 110 and 120 pounds. He had black hair and brown eyes. Distinguishing features included two tattoos: one of Christ on the right side of his back and another on his chest depicting hands holding a rosary. He was reportedly wearing a yellow and white plaid shirt, a white t-shirt with blue stripes, another white T-shirt, beige pants, black socks, and boxers. For footwear, he had on Nike tennis shoes and was carrying a backpack. These personal details paint a picture of the young man who vanished, leaving behind unanswered questions and a family undoubtedly hoping for news.

The investigation into Jose Cortez Garcia's disappearance is being handled by the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office. His case is cataloged under the NamUs number MP16585. Despite the passage of time, his case remains open, a silent testament to a life interrupted. The vague nature of his last known whereabouts, simply 'crossing the U.S.-Mexico border,' highlights the immense challenges faced by investigators in such cases. The border region is vast and remote, making search efforts incredibly difficult. The overview of this case is one of profound uncertainty and the quiet grief of a family left without answers, a narrative all too common in the borderlands where many have disappeared under similar circumstances.

Last Seen: Jul 11, 2010

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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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.

88%Strong
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 27 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 88%55 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 months after last seen
Height 84%5'5" vs 5'3"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
Physical features: Tattoo: christ
84%Moderate
John Doe — Cowlic, Tohono O'Odham Nation, Arizona - unidentified case UP12076 View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–36 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 90%49 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"
Weight 92%136 lb vs 110–120 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%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 27
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%41 mi away, same county
TimingFound 12 months after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
82%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 27 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 77%93 mi away, same state
TimingFound 19 months after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%114 lb vs 110–120 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Charlotte, North Carolina - unidentified case UP149533
John Doe — Charlotte, North Carolina
UP149533 • Found Nov 29, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 27 when missing
Race 60%White
Location 7%1,847 mi away
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0"–5'2" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%116 lb vs 110–120 lb
Name: remains tentatively named Jose Garcia
80%Moderate
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP14066
John Doe — Arizona
UP14066 • Found Oct 21, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%35 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"
80%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 27 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 85%64 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%120 lb vs 110–120 lb
80%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 27 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 84%68 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
80%Moderate
John Doe — Near Ajo, Arizona - unidentified case UP12917
John Doe — Near Ajo, Arizona
UP12917 • Found Jul 15, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–55 vs 27 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 67%150 lb vs 110–120 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Topawa, Arizona - unidentified case UP10581
John Doe — Topawa, Arizona
UP10581 • Found Mar 27, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 87%58 mi away, same county
TimingFound 21 months after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'3"

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.