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Crime Solvers Central
302 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 (MP16459) and 1 other source
In the vast and often unforgiving landscape of the Arizona desert, the story of Felix Suarez Cruz's disappearance began on April 19, 2010. At 30 years old, Felix, a Hispanic male, was last seen in the area of Santa Rosa, Arizona, a place that would become the last known location in his journey. He was in the process of crossing the U.S.-Mexico border with a group of other individuals. The circumstances surrounding his separation from this group are harrowing; he was reportedly left behind at a location said to be about a seven-hour walk from where the group was ultimately picked up and transported to Tucson. Those he was with left him with matches, a small but potentially life-saving tool, with the hope that he could start a fire and signal for help. It is a detail that paints a stark picture of his isolation and the perilous situation he faced. At the time he went missing, he was using the alias "Ines Salazar Diaz."

Felix is described as being between 5'4" and 5'7" tall and weighing between 130 and 150 pounds. He has black hair and black eyes. A distinguishing physical feature is a scar on his right eyebrow. When he was last seen, he was wearing blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and a blue or white hat. On his feet, he wore either white or black sneakers. Among his possessions was a driver's license bearing the name of his alias, Ines Salazar Diaz. The Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner, through their Missing Migrant Project, is the primary investigating agency in his case, which was officially reported on April 30, 2010. The case was created in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System on July 30, 2012.

The narrative of Felix Suarez Cruz's disappearance is one that is echoed in the stories of many who attempt to cross the border, a journey fraught with uncertainty and danger. The details of his case, from the location he was last seen to the items he had with him, provide a fragmented glimpse into his final known moments. The alias he was using, along with the fact that he was left behind by his group, adds layers of complexity to the investigation. The Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner's involvement underscores the serious and often tragic outcomes of such border crossings. The overview of this case highlights the vulnerability of individuals in these situations and the enduring pain and uncertainty that families are left to grapple with when a loved one vanishes.

Last Seen: Apr 19, 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.

Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–36 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%36 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Weight 100%136 lb vs 130–150 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 90%Brown vs Black
85%Strong
John Doe — Marana, Arizona - unidentified case UP8606
John Doe — Marana, Arizona
UP8606 • Found Sep 17, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 30
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 90%48 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Weight 100%126 lb vs 130–150 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
84%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 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 95%30 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 90%Brown vs Black
84%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 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 98%19 mi away, same county
TimingFound 15 months after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
83%Moderate
John Doe — Ajo, Arizona - unidentified case UP8757
John Doe — Ajo, Arizona
UP8757 • Found Aug 20, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 30
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 90%48 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
83%Moderate
John Doe — Topawa, Arizona - unidentified case UP8737
John Doe — Topawa, Arizona
UP8737 • Found Jul 13, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 30
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%37 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
82%Moderate
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP14499
John Doe — Arizona
UP14499 • Found Jun 30, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–32 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 95%29 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'4"–5'7"
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 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 95%29 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
82%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 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 95%29 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Weight 83%176 lb vs 130–150 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 90%Brown 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 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 89%51 mi away, same state
TimingFound 21 months after last seen
Height 84%5'2" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Weight 97%114 lb vs 130–150 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 90%Brown 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.