On September 6, 2009, 39-year-old Enrique Pulido de la Cruz was last seen in a remote area of Arizona. He was with a group of people attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border near Lukeville. At some point during their journey, de la Cruz reportedly became exhausted. Near the town of Why, Arizona, situated between Gila Bend and Ajo, he made the decision to turn back and head south. It was at this juncture that he was last seen by the members of his group, and he has not been heard from since.
Enrique de la Cruz is described as a Hispanic male, standing between 5'4' and 5'6' tall and weighing approximately 130 to 140 pounds at the time of his disappearance. He has brown hair and brown eyes. A distinguishing physical characteristic is a burn scar on the back of his left leg. When he was last seen, he was wearing a blue T-shirt, black 'EGO' pants, which may have been Dickies, a black hat, and white tennis shoes.
He was also carrying a black backpack. His case was formally reported to the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office on December 15, 2009.
The circumstances surrounding Enrique de la Cruz's disappearance paint a harrowing picture of the dangers faced by those crossing the border in the harsh desert environment. Having become fatigued during the journey, his decision to turn back alone in such a vast and unforgiving landscape was fraught with peril. The Pima County Medical Examiner's Office is the primary investigating agency for his case. Despite the passage of time, his case remains open, one of many individuals who have vanished in the border region. The lack of available photographs has made public appeals for information more challenging. This case serves as a somber reminder of the human element and the inherent risks involved in border crossings, and the profound uncertainty left for the families of those who go missing.Last Seen: Sep 6, 2009
