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Salvador De Los Santos Missing Person Case

Last seen in Sasabe, Arizona on May 20, 2004

Victim Details

Jul 30, 2012

Jul 24, 2023

Salvador

De Los Santos

66

44

59 inches

60 inches

130 lbs

140 lbs

Hispanic / Latino

Male

May 20, 2004

Sasabe

Arizona

Pima County

4292

Pima County Medical Examiner's Office

Tucson

Arizona

Pima County

85714

2825 East District Street, Arizona

5207248600

County

Medical Examiner

FSC MPR 429

Jun 16, 2004

Pima County Medical Examiner's Office

Black

Brown

Brown

Oct 15, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP15779) and 1 other source
On May 20, 2004, a 44-year-old man named Salvador de los Santos vanished under harrowing circumstances in the Arizona desert. A Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes, he was last seen in the area west of Sasabe. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a long-sleeved green shirt, black jeans, and black shoes. His journey began when he crossed the border into Arizona, a trek that would prove to be perilous. For two days, he and a group of others walked through the unforgiving landscape, a testament to the lengths individuals will go for a chance at a different life.

The harsh conditions of the desert began to take their toll on Salvador. As the group traveled, he found it increasingly difficult to maintain their pace. The vast, arid terrain is known for its extreme temperatures and challenging topography, a dangerous combination for even the most prepared individuals. Eventually, he fell behind, a dangerous situation that tragically sealed his fate of becoming separated from his companions. The circumstances of his separation were directly tied to an encounter with law enforcement.

The group Salvador was traveling with was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol. In the ensuing events, Salvador, who had been struggling to keep up, was separated from the others. It was in this moment of confusion and enforcement that he was last seen. The Pima County Medical Examiner's Office is the primary agency handling his case. The case serves as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by those who undertake the difficult journey across the border, and the families left behind to wonder about the fate of their loved ones. The vastness of the desert holds the secrets of what happened to Salvador de los Santos after he became separated, a painful uncertainty for those who knew him.
Last Seen: May 20, 2004

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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  • Missing Person / NamUs

    • 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 — Arivaca vicinity, Arizona - unidentified case UP6856
    John Doe — Arivaca vicinity, Arizona
    UP6856 • Found Dec 5, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 44 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 99%14 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 19 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'0" vs 4'11"–5'0"
    Weight 98%115 lb vs 130–140 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Sierra Vista, Arizona - unidentified case UP8988
    John Doe — Sierra Vista, Arizona
    UP8988 • Found Dec 7, 2004
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 44
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 82%75 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'2" vs 4'11"–5'0"
    Weight 100%130 lb vs 130–140 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Arivaca, Arizona - unidentified case UP5502
    John Doe — Arivaca, Arizona
    UP5502 • Found Jun 2, 2004
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 26–44 vs 44
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 99%14 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 13 days after last seen
    Height 68%5'3" vs 4'11"–5'0"
    Weight 99%116 lb vs 130–140 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Arivaca, Arizona - unidentified case UP5416
    John Doe — Arivaca, Arizona
    UP5416 • Found Apr 7, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 26–44 vs 44 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 99%14 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 23 months after last seen
    Height 68%5'3" vs 4'11"–5'0"
    Weight 100%125 lb vs 130–140 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Cowlic, Arizona - unidentified case UP10264
    John Doe — Cowlic, Arizona
    UP10264 • Found Dec 6, 2011
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 44 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 94%34 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'0" vs 4'11"–5'0"
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Three Points, Arizona - unidentified case UP5476
    John Doe — Three Points, Arizona
    UP5476 • Found May 28, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 44 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 91%43 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 12 months after last seen
    Height 68%5'3" vs 4'11"–5'0"
    Weight 100%120 lb vs 130–140 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Arivaca, Arizona - unidentified case UP8721
    John Doe — Arivaca, Arizona
    UP8721 • Found Feb 1, 2011
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 44 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 99%14 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'1" vs 4'11"–5'0"
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP8669
    John Doe — Arizona
    UP8669 • Found Dec 1, 2010
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 44 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 88%53 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'1" vs 4'11"–5'0"
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Amado, Arizona - unidentified case UP5348
    John Doe — Amado, Arizona
    UP5348 • Found Jul 21, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 44 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 94%32 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'1" vs 4'11"–5'0"
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Lakeville, Arizona - unidentified case UP5352
    John Doe — Lakeville, Arizona
    UP5352 • Found Jun 27, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 26–44 vs 44 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 86%60 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'1" vs 4'11"–5'0"
    Hair 100%Black 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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Hey everyone, I've been following the case of the missing person who crossed into Arizona and got... ...Read More
    08/25/2024

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