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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 (MP16418) and 2 other sources
In the vast and often unforgiving landscape of the Arizona borderlands, the story of Mauricio Martinez Barrera is one of many that speaks to the perils faced by those seeking a new life. At 30 years old, Mauricio was last seen between March 14th and March 18th, 2010, in the vicinity of Sasabe, Arizona, a small, remote community situated on the U.S.-Mexico border. His disappearance occurred as he was attempting to cross the border, a journey fraught with known dangers. The Pima County Medical Examiner's Office is the investigating agency in his case. His loved ones last had contact with him on March 14, 2010, and he has not been seen or heard from since.

Mauricio is described as a Hispanic male with black hair and dark brown eyes. At the time of his disappearance, he stood between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed between 199 and 229 pounds. He has a few distinguishing marks, including a three- to four-centimeter scar on his forehead and another scar on his upper lip. When he was last seen, he was wearing a plain black dress shirt, a black jacket with the 'Adidas' logo across the back, black Levi's brand jeans, and white socks. For footwear, he had on black and white Nike tennis shoes. He was also carrying a black backpack and wore a black Levi's belt. Additionally, he had black-framed glasses and was in possession of 1000 pesos and 200 dollars.

The circumstances surrounding Mauricio Martinez Barrera's case are, like many others who have vanished in the border region, shrouded in uncertainty. He was undertaking a journey that countless individuals attempt, often with little more than the clothes on their back and hope for a better future. The terrain near Sasabe is rugged and can be treacherous for those unfamiliar with it. His case is a poignant reminder of the human element behind the complex issue of border crossings. Despite the passage of time, the investigation into his disappearance remains open, a silent testament to a life interrupted and a family left without answers. The lack of any new information has left his case cold, a story of ambiguous loss for those who knew and loved him.

Last Seen: Mar 14, 2010

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.

84%Moderate
John Doe — Cowlic, Tohono O'Odham Nation, Arizona - unidentified case UP12076 View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–36 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 94%34 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 58%136 lb vs 199–229 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
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 93%35 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
84%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 95%28 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
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 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%40 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 99%176 lb vs 199–229 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Arivaca, Arizona - unidentified case UP8711
John Doe — Arivaca, Arizona
UP8711 • Found Aug 19, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–38 vs 30
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 99%14 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"–5'7"
82%Moderate
John Doe — Arivaca, Arizona - unidentified case UP10663
John Doe — Arivaca, Arizona
UP10663 • Found Jul 23, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 99%14 mi away, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'5"–5'7"
82%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 30 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%37 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
82%Moderate
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP9621
John Doe — Arizona
UP9621 • Found Jul 13, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 30
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%40 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'5"–5'7"
82%Moderate
John Doe — Sells, Arizona - unidentified case UP8703
John Doe — Sells, Arizona
UP8703 • Found Jul 12, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 30
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%35 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"–5'7"
81%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 92%40 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'5"–5'7"
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.