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 (MP16322) and 1 other source
In the summer of 2009, a 31-year-old man named Luis Ernesto Carbajal Alvarado vanished under unsettling circumstances. On August 24th, he made a phone call to his family from an airport in Guanajuato, Mexico, informing them of his intention to cross the border into the United States through Sonora, with his last known location being Lukeville, Arizona. This was not an unfamiliar journey for Luis, as he had crossed the border numerous times before. However, this time was different. Following that phone call, an unnerving silence descended, and his family never heard from him again. His history of frequent travel and consistent communication with his loved ones made this sudden lack of contact deeply concerning and out of character.

Luis is described as a Hispanic male, standing between 5 feet 2 inches and 5 feet 4 inches tall, and weighing between 165 and 175 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. His appearance is distinguished by several tattoos: the words 'East Side' in large letters on his stomach, 'Traviesos' on his back, and 'Carbajal' on one of his arms. He also has either three dots or the letter 'L' tattooed on his right hand. A large, round mole on his left knee serves as another identifying mark. At the time of his disappearance, he had a sparse beard and mustache. He was believed to be wearing a long-sleeved blue t-shirt, black denim pants, dark grey boxer shorts, and white socks. He also had both a black and a gray sweater with him. For footwear, he had on green hiking boots. His personal belongings included a black leather belt and a black backpack.

The circumstances surrounding Luis Carbajal Alvarado's disappearance remain shrouded in mystery. The call from the airport in Guanajuato was the last piece of information his family received about his whereabouts and plans. Despite his experience with crossing the border, something went wrong during this particular journey. The lack of any communication since that day has left his family in a state of prolonged uncertainty and distress. The Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner is listed as the investigating agency for his case. The complete absence of contact is a significant deviation from his established pattern, suggesting an unforeseen and serious event occurred after his last communication. The case is an overview of a journey that began with a familiar plan but ended in an unresolved mystery, leaving a family searching for answers about the fate of their loved one.

Last Seen: Aug 24, 2009

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.

84%Moderate
John Doe — Cowlic, Tohono O'Odham Nation, Arizona - unidentified case UP12076 View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–36 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 90%49 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'2"–5'4"
Weight 86%136 lb vs 165–175 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%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 31 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 88%55 mi away, same state
TimingFound 23 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'2"–5'4"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%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 31 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%41 mi away, same county
TimingFound 22 months after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'2"–5'4"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
82%Moderate
John Doe — Ajo, Arizona - unidentified case UP8757
John Doe — Ajo, Arizona
UP8757 • Found Aug 20, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 88%Est. 20–30 vs 31
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 94%34 mi away, same county
TimingFound 12 months after last seen
Height 52%5'8" vs 5'2"–5'4"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Physical features: Tattoo: dot
82%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 31
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 87%58 mi away, same county
TimingFound 11 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'2"–5'4"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
82%Moderate
John Doe — Charco Village, Arizona - unidentified case UP6393
John Doe — Charco Village, Arizona
UP6393 • Found Oct 15, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–44 vs 31
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 95%28 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 weeks after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'2"–5'4"
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
81%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 31 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 84%68 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'2"–5'4"
Weight 100%176 lb vs 165–175 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%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 31 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 94%34 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'2"–5'4"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 165–175 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%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 31
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 88%55 mi away, same county
TimingFound 11 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'2"–5'4"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Sells, Arizona - unidentified case UP10439
John Doe — Sells, Arizona
UP10439 • Found May 1, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 88%55 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'2"–5'4"

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.