In the spring of 2009, 62-year-old Manuel Valdez Perez, a Hispanic male, was on the cusp of a journey that would leave his loved ones with unending questions. On April 1, 2009, he made a phone call from Tijuana, Mexico, informing his family that he was about to cross the border near Nogales, Arizona. This communication would be the last anyone has heard from him.
At the time of his disappearance, he was described as being between 5'6' and 5'8' tall, weighing between 150 and 170 pounds, with graying light brown hair and a very wide mustache. He also had a distinctive physical characteristic: an underdeveloped chest on the left side, a result of his twin's position in the womb.
Manuel was well-prepared for his travels, carrying a significant amount of cash, approximately 4,000 USD, along with a brown wallet and a black suitcase. His attire was layered, consisting of a light blue long-sleeved shirt, a black sweater, and a Denver Broncos sweatshirt paired with navy blue jeans and white socks. He wore large, black, square glasses and was known for wearing numerous silver chains around his neck. His footwear included both white tennis shoes and brown dress shoes, and he carried a brown belt. Among his personal effects was a cherished photo of his children. His body bore several scars: one on his left arm, others on his hand near his fingers, and another below his head. These details paint a picture of a man on the move, with personal items that held both monetary and sentimental value.
The circumstances surrounding Manuel Valdez Perez's disappearance remain shrouded in mystery. His last known intention was to cross the border, a journey that countless individuals undertake. However, for Manuel, this crossing marked a point of no return into silence. The Pima County Medical Examiner's Office is the investigating agency in his case. Despite the passage of time, his case remains open, a painful testament to the ambiguity and sorrow that his family has endured. The overview of his case is a stark reminder of the countless individuals who vanish, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a void in the lives of those who await their return. The last update on his case was on August 12, 2020.Last Seen: Apr 1, 2009
