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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 (MP16163) and 2 other sources
In the vast and often unforgiving landscape of the Arizona desert, a story of uncertainty and quiet concern began to unfold. Cristian Ivan Parrada, a 28-year-old Hispanic male, was last seen on October 2, 2008. At the time of his disappearance, he was in Altar, Arizona, a place that marks a significant point for many journeys. The circumstances surrounding his last known moments are sparse, with reports indicating he was last seen crossing the border in the desert. This detail paints a picture of a journey fraught with potential perils, leaving loved ones to wonder about the challenges he may have faced in the harsh and remote environment.

Cristian is described as being between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a weight ranging from 210 to 230 pounds. He has black hair and black eyes. His appearance is further distinguished by several scars and piercings. He has a scar under his mouth on one side of his chin and another on one of his ears from a piercing that had torn. Both of his ears are pierced. When he was last seen, he was wearing a dark blue long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and white sneakers. He also wore a significant personal item, an escapulario with a white cross and a blue string, a detail that speaks to his identity and perhaps his faith during his journey.

The investigation into Cristian's disappearance was opened the day after he was last seen, with the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office handling the case. Despite the passage of time, his case remains a quiet but persistent question in the vast archive of the missing. The lack of resolution leaves a void for those who knew him, a narrative without an ending. The official records hold the known facts of his case, a collection of details that form an incomplete picture of a man who vanished while undertaking a difficult and dangerous crossing. The overview of this case is one of many that highlight the human stories behind the statistics of those who go missing near the border, each one representing a family left in limbo, holding onto hope while grappling with the painful reality of not knowing.

Last Seen: Oct 2, 2008

Links to Additional Sources (2)

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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.

85%Strong
John Doe — Tucson, Arizona - unidentified case UP8671
John Doe — Tucson, Arizona
UP8671 • Found Jan 25, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–29 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%3 mi away, same county
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'4"–5'6"
Weight 70%155 lb vs 210–230 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 90%Brown vs Black
83%Moderate
John Doe — San Simon, Arizona - unidentified case UP8741
John Doe — San Simon, Arizona
UP8741 • Found Sep 28, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 23–32 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%8 mi away, same county
TimingFound 24 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'4"–5'6"
83%Moderate
John Doe — Tucson, Arizona - unidentified case UP6388
John Doe — Tucson, Arizona
UP6388 • Found Sep 12, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–28 vs 28
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%3 mi away, same county
TimingFound 11 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"–5'6"
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
82%Moderate
John Doe — Picture Rocks, Arizona - unidentified case UP10503
John Doe — Picture Rocks, Arizona
UP10503 • Found Jan 10, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 98%17 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'4"–5'6"
82%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 28 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 88%55 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"–5'6"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 90%Brown vs Black
82%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 28 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 97%22 mi away, same county
TimingFound 24 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"–5'6"
Weight 33%126 lb vs 210–230 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
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 28 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 88%55 mi away, same county
TimingFound 21 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"–5'6"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
82%Moderate
John Doe — White Horse Pass Village, Arizona - unidentified case UP6418
John Doe — White Horse Pass Village, Arizona
UP6418 • Found Jul 28, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–40 vs 28
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 90%47 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"–5'6"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
81%Moderate
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP13034
John Doe — Arizona
UP13034 • Found Jun 25, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%40 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'4"–5'6"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
81%Moderate
John Doe — Cowlic, Tohono O'Odham Nation, Arizona - unidentified case UP12076 View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–36 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 85%64 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'4"–5'6"
Weight 46%136 lb vs 210–230 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 90%Brown 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.