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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 (MP16350) and 1 other source
In the fall of 2009, 37-year-old Armando Sandoval Rangel vanished, with the last known contact occurring on October 30, 2009. At the time of his disappearance, the Hispanic male was in Pima County, Arizona, and was reportedly in the process of crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Rangel is described as being between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing between 150 and 170 pounds. He has been known to use the aliases David Sandoval and Jose Hernandez. The Pima County Medical Examiner's Office is the primary agency investigating his case, which was officially entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System on July 30, 2012.

When he was last seen, Armando was wearing a blue shirt, blue jeans, and a distinctive red sweatshirt that featured the logo of the University of Phoenix. He was also wearing a black belt with white and blue tennis shoes. Significantly, he was carrying numerous important personal documents at the time of his disappearance. These items included his voter ID, birth certificate, various photographs, his driver's license, vehicle registration, and his passport. The circumstances surrounding why he was crossing the border and what may have happened to him remain unclear, creating a challenging situation for investigators.

The investigation into Armando Sandoval Rangel's disappearance has been hampered by a lack of specific information regarding his exact whereabouts when he went missing. The fact that his last known activity was crossing the border introduces a range of complex possibilities, but offers few definitive leads for law enforcement to follow. Years have passed without any resolution, and his case remains an active and unsolved missing person investigation. His family and loved ones are left with lingering questions and the deep uncertainty of not knowing what became of him after he set out on his journey. The case is a poignant example of the ambiguous and painful reality faced by the families of those who go missing near the border.

Last Seen: Oct 30, 2009

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.

80%Moderate
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 37
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 73%112 mi away, same county
TimingFound 11 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'3"–5'5"
Weight 90%126 lb vs 150–170 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
78%Possible
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona
UP106028 • Found Jun 21, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 33–58 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 84%69 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"–5'5"
Weight 79%203 lb vs 150–170 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
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 37 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 67%142 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"–5'5"
Weight 100%176 lb vs 150–170 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona - unidentified case UP88971
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona
UP88971 • Found Dec 3, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 94%Est. 50–55 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 84%5'1" vs 5'3"–5'5"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Big Fields Village, Arizona - unidentified case UP80776
John Doe — Big Fields Village, Arizona
UP80776 • Found Jan 16, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%4'10"–5'2" vs 5'3"–5'5"
77%Possible
John Doe — Cowlic, Tohono O'Odham Nation, Arizona - unidentified case UP12076 View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 89%Est. 25–36 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 62%163 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"–5'5"
Weight 100%136 lb vs 150–170 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — South Tucson, Arizona - unidentified case UP12008
John Doe — South Tucson, Arizona
UP12008 • Found May 9, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 77%Est. 18–35 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 69%128 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"–5'5"
Weight 99%133 lb vs 150–170 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Maricopa, Arizona - unidentified case UP10459
John Doe — Maricopa, Arizona
UP10459 • Found Jan 30, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 77%Est. 20–35 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 78%88 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'3"–5'5"
Weight 75%114 lb vs 150–170 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Maricopa, Arizona - unidentified case UP8769
John Doe — Maricopa, Arizona
UP8769 • Found Sep 18, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 37
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 78%88 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 months after last seen
Height 84%5'7" vs 5'3"–5'5"
76%Possible
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP13034
John Doe — Arizona
UP13034 • Found Jun 25, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 67%142 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"–5'5"
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.