Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 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 (MP16044) and 1 other source
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

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.

82%Moderate
John Doe — Tucson, Arizona - unidentified case UP4904
John Doe — Tucson, Arizona
UP4904 • Found Aug 1, 2008
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–23 vs 21
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 86%61 mi away, same county
TimingFound 9 months after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'9"–5'11"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 145–165 lb
81%Moderate
John Doe — Sasabe, Arizona - unidentified case UP13814
John Doe — Sasabe, Arizona
UP13814 • Found Jul 24, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–25 vs 21 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"–5'11"
81%Moderate
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 21 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 86%61 mi away, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"–5'11"
Weight 100%155 lb vs 145–165 lb
81%Moderate
John Doe — Sasabe, Arizona - unidentified case UP6372
John Doe — Sasabe, Arizona
UP6372 • Found Jul 24, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 21 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 21 months after last seen
Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"–5'11"
79%Possible
John Doe — San Miguel Village, Arizona - unidentified case UP79930
John Doe — San Miguel Village, Arizona
UP79930 • Found Dec 24, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–23 vs 21 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 98%17 mi away, same county
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'9"–5'11"
79%Possible
John Doe — Sells, Arizona - unidentified case UP14951
John Doe — Sells, Arizona
UP14951 • Found Aug 20, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–40 vs 21 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%35 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"–5'11"
79%Possible
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP12302
John Doe — Arizona
UP12302 • Found Feb 20, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–33 vs 21 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%40 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'9"–5'11"
79%Possible
John Doe — Near Sells, Arizona - unidentified case UP12073
John Doe — Near Sells, Arizona
UP12073 • Found Jun 18, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 19–26 vs 21 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%35 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'9"–5'11"
78%Possible
John Doe — Itak, Arizona - unidentified case UP88822
John Doe — Itak, Arizona
UP88822 • Found Nov 28, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 16–22 vs 21 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 94%31 mi away, same county
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'9"–5'11"
78%Possible
John Doe — west of Sells, Arizona - unidentified case UP54646
John Doe — west of Sells, Arizona
UP54646 • Found Nov 17, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 21 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%35 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10"–6'2" vs 5'9"–5'11"

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.