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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 (MP16228) and 1 other source
In the vast and often unforgiving landscape of the Sonoran Desert, another story of hope and uncertainty began on May 13, 2009. Adolfo Miramontes Meda Leyva, a 38-year-old Hispanic male, was last seen on this day near the small border community of Lukeville, Arizona. He was at a crossroads of his life, attempting to cross the border between the United States and Mexico when he vanished. At the time of his disappearance, Adolfo was between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a slender build, weighing between 130 and 135 pounds. He had brown hair, brown eyes, and a mustache. The day he was last seen, he was wearing a distinctive red plaid short-sleeved shirt, black Levi's denim pants, and a white sleeveless undershirt. He also had on black lace-up boots, white socks, and a black belt. It is possible he was also wearing a brown hat.

The details surrounding what Adolfo was carrying offer a small glimpse into his life at that moment; he had a black wallet with an unknown amount of money. There are conflicting reports about other clothes he may have had with him, including a navy blue shirt and matching pants with a white stripe, a hooded vest, and a black hooded sweatshirt with a dove printed on the front. This collection of clothing suggests someone prepared for a journey, facing the elements with the few possessions they could carry. His disappearance was reported over a year later, on July 15, 2010, which added to the difficulty of the investigation initiated by the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office.

Years have passed since Adolfo Miramontes Meda Leyva was last seen, and his case remains a quiet testament to the perils that many face. There is no information available about the specific circumstances that led to him going missing, other than the fact that he was in the process of crossing the border. For his family, the lack of answers leaves a void filled with questions and the enduring pain of ambiguity. The overview of this case is one of an individual who undertook a perilous journey and disappeared without a trace. The investigation, hampered by the passage of time and the harsh environment where he was last seen, has yielded no significant leads. His story is a somber reminder of the countless individuals who vanish while seeking a different future, leaving loved ones to navigate a world of unanswered questions and fading hope.

Last Seen: May 13, 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.

84%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 38
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 95%28 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"–5'8"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Lukeville, Arizona - unidentified case UP11061
John Doe — Lukeville, Arizona
UP11061 • Found Nov 22, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'6"–5'8"
82%Moderate
John Doe — Lukeville, Arizona - unidentified case UP6414
John Doe — Lukeville, Arizona
UP6414 • Found Jul 23, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 38
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 2 months after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"–5'8"
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Gunsight Village, Arizona - unidentified case UP11275
John Doe — Gunsight Village, Arizona
UP11275 • Found Jul 1, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 23–40 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 96%23 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'6"–5'8"
Weight 100%133 lb vs 130–135 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Kupt Village, Arizona - unidentified case UP9335
John Doe — Kupt Village, Arizona
UP9335 • Found Sep 9, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%41 mi away, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'6"–5'8"
81%Moderate
John Doe — Ajo, Arizona - unidentified case UP8756
John Doe — Ajo, Arizona
UP8756 • Found Feb 25, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 94%34 mi away, same county
TimingFound 21 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'6"–5'8"
81%Moderate
John Doe — Go Vu, Arizona - unidentified case UP8752
John Doe — Go Vu, Arizona
UP8752 • Found Sep 7, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 37–47 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%35 mi away, same county
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"–5'8"
81%Moderate
John Doe — Lukeville, Arizona - unidentified case UP6395
John Doe — Lukeville, Arizona
UP6395 • Found Oct 20, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 89%Est. 27–37 vs 38
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 5 months after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'6"–5'8"
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 38 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"–5'8"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Ajo, Arizona - unidentified case UP13829
John Doe — Ajo, Arizona
UP13829 • Found Dec 3, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–40 vs 38 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 94%34 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"–5'8"

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.