In the autumn of 2007, a young man named Rafael Trevedan Barreras, at the age of 21, vanished near the Arizona-Mexico border. He was last seen on October 23, 2007, in the remote area of Sasabe, a small community in Pima County, Arizona. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as a Hispanic male, standing between 5'9' and 5'11' tall, and weighing between 145 and 165 pounds. Accounts of his disappearance indicate he was in the process of crossing the border between the United States and Mexico when he was last seen. The circumstances surrounding why he was crossing and what his ultimate destination was remain unclear, adding to the mystery of his case.
The day he went missing, Rafael was reportedly wearing distinctive clothing: red or pink pants with a red or pink undershirt that had colorful pictures on it, and a brown hat. He was also carrying a small black backpack. He had a few distinguishing physical features, including a white mole on his neck and a scar on his right eyebrow. These details provide a snapshot of the young man in the moments before he disappeared, but they have yet to lead to his whereabouts. The lack of information regarding his hair and eye color further complicates identification efforts.
Years have passed since Rafael Trevedan Barreras was last seen, and his case remains an open and unresolved missing person investigation. The Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner, through the Pima County Missing Migrant Project, has been involved in the case. A report was filed on July 10, 2009, nearly two years after he was last seen. The official record of his disappearance was created in the NamUs database on July 30, 2012. The overarching summary of Rafael's case is that he was last known to be crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, a journey that many undertake with hopes for a different future, but for Rafael, it marked the beginning of a long and painful period of uncertainty for his loved ones. His case is a somber reminder of the perils faced by those who make such crossings and the enduring questions that remain when they disappear without a trace.
Last Seen: Oct 23, 2007
