Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP16658) and 1 other source
In the vast and often unforgiving landscape of the Arizona borderlands, the story of Cornelio Coliz Gonzalez is one of many that ends with an unanswered question. At 48 years old, he was last seen on a Saturday, the 9th of January, 2010. His last known location was near Lukeville, Arizona, a small community that serves as a port of entry to Sonoyta, Sonora, in Mexico. It was at this busy intersection of two nations that Cornelio's known path came to an end. He was in the process of crossing the U.S./Mexico border, a journey undertaken by many, but for him, it was a journey from which he has not yet returned. The day he vanished, he was dressed for travel, wearing black pants and a grey sweater, and carrying a backpack, typical attire for someone on the move.

The details surrounding Cornelio's disappearance are sparse, leaving a void where a clear narrative should be. He was a man in his late forties, with brown hair and brown eyes, standing at approximately five feet six to five feet seven inches tall and weighing around 176 to 180 pounds. These simple facts are some of the few certainties in a case that is otherwise filled with ambiguity. The Pima County Medical Examiner's Office is the investigating agency, a detail that points to the serious nature of his disappearance and the concern for his well-being from the moment he was reported missing. The circumstances simply state he was 'last seen crossing the US/Mexico border,' a phrase that is both straightforward and profoundly open-ended, offering no hint as to what may have happened next.

The overview of Cornelio Coliz Gonzalez's case is a somber reflection of the perils that can befall individuals in the border region. With no confirmed sightings or contact since January 9, 2010, his case has remained open, a lingering question for his family and investigators. The passage of time has only deepened the mystery, transforming him from a person on a journey to a name in a missing persons file. His disappearance is a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by those who traverse this complex and often hazardous terrain. The lack of resolution leaves his loved ones in a state of perpetual uncertainty, holding on to hope while grappling with the painful reality of his prolonged absence.

Last Seen: Jan 9, 2010

Links to Additional Sources (1)

See any mistakes? Let us know!

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.

81%Moderate
John Doe — Lukeville, Arizona - unidentified case UP8657
John Doe — Lukeville, Arizona
UP8657 • Found Nov 25, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 48
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 11 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"–5'7"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Why, Arizona - unidentified case UP14766
John Doe — Why, Arizona
UP14766 • Found Aug 22, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 48 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 96%27 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"–5'7"
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 48 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 94%34 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 91%150 lb vs 176–180 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Lukeville, Arizona - unidentified case UP9085
John Doe — Lukeville, Arizona
UP9085 • Found Jul 4, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 48 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 18 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Lukeville, Arizona - unidentified case UP8831
John Doe — Lukeville, Arizona
UP8831 • Found Feb 20, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 37–52 vs 48 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 13 months after last seen
Height 68%5'3" vs 5'6"–5'7"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Go Vu, Arizona - unidentified case UP8752
John Doe — Go Vu, Arizona
UP8752 • Found Sep 7, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 92%Est. 37–47 vs 48
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%35 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"–5'7"
79%Possible
John Doe — west of Ajo, Arizona - unidentified case UP65367
John Doe — west of Ajo, Arizona
UP65367 • Found May 13, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 48 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 94%34 mi away, same county
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"–5'7"
79%Possible
John Doe — west of Ajo, Arizona - unidentified case UP59932
John Doe — west of Ajo, Arizona
UP59932 • Found May 12, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 48 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 94%34 mi away, same county
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'10" vs 5'6"–5'7"
78%Possible
John Doe — Ajo, Arizona - unidentified case UP12943
John Doe — Ajo, Arizona
UP12943 • Found Apr 30, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–55 vs 48 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 94%34 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"–5'7"
78%Possible
John Doe — Papago Farms, Arizona - unidentified case UP8838
John Doe — Papago Farms, Arizona
UP8838 • Found Apr 18, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 32–48 vs 48 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 95%30 mi away, same county
TimingFound 15 months after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"–5'7"

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.