Crime Solvers Central
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 (MP15770) and 1 other source
In the vast and often unforgiving landscape of the Arizona desert, the story of one man's disappearance has become a quiet but persistent mystery. Martin Pacheco Hernandez, a 41-year-old Hispanic male, was last seen on March 9, 2004, in the remote area of Three Points, Arizona. On that day, he was with a group attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, a journey fraught with peril and uncertainty. The hope of a new beginning was overshadowed by the harsh realities of the desert terrain and the risks inherent in such a passage. The specific details of the initial part of his journey are sparse, but it is known that he was among others who shared similar aspirations, moving together through the challenging environment under circumstances that remain largely untold.

The last known moments of Martin's presence are tied to a specific and desolate location known as 'El Papalote Ranch,' situated north of Sasabe and Three Points. It was here that the group he was traveling with reportedly abandoned him. The reasons for this are not documented, leaving a void of information that speaks to the vulnerability of individuals in such situations. Left alone in a remote and difficult environment, Martin was wearing blue jeans, a white shirt, a long-sleeved beige shirt in size large, and a blue sweater with a red line, also size large. On his feet, he wore white tennis shoes. He was a man of about 5 feet 5 to 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing between 200 and 210 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Distinctive marks, including a scar on his right hand and marks on both feet, offer poignant details that might help identify him, yet they also underscore the personal and physical toll of his life and final known journey.

The investigation into Martin Pacheco Hernandez's disappearance, managed by the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office, has been open for years, a silent testament to a life that seemingly vanished into the desert. The circumstances of him being left behind at 'El Papalote Ranch' form the critical and most tragic element of his case. Without any further contact or sightings, his case has grown cold, the narrative of his life ending abruptly in the official records. The overview of this case is one of profound sadness and unanswered questions, highlighting the dangers faced by migrants. It is a story of a man who embarked on a journey for a different future, only to be lost along the way, his fate unknown and his absence a lingering sorrow for those who may still be waiting for news.

Last Seen: Mar 9, 2004

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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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.

83%Moderate
John Doe — Tucson, Arizona - unidentified case UP6743
John Doe — Tucson, Arizona
UP6743 • Found Dec 15, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 29–43 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 97%22 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 65%145 lb vs 200–210 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
82%Moderate
John Doe — Near Big Field Village, Arizona - unidentified case UP11595
John Doe — Near Big Field Village, Arizona
UP11595 • Found May 8, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 97%21 mi away, same county
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 97%176 lb vs 200–210 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Gunsight, Arizona - unidentified case UP4924
John Doe — Gunsight, Arizona
UP4924 • Found Jun 24, 2008
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
82%Moderate
John Doe — Robles Junction, Arizona - unidentified case UP5342
John Doe — Robles Junction, Arizona
UP5342 • Found Oct 6, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 29–41 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"–5'7"
81%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 41 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 96%25 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 39%126 lb vs 200–210 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
81%Moderate
John Doe — Cowlic, Arizona - unidentified case UP4932
John Doe — Cowlic, Arizona
UP4932 • Found Jan 23, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 91%44 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 78%157 lb vs 200–210 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Marana, Arizona - unidentified case UP10250
John Doe — Marana, Arizona
UP10250 • Found Nov 5, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 96%25 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'5"–5'7"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP9621
John Doe — Arizona
UP9621 • Found Jul 13, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 97%21 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'5"–5'7"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Amado, Arizona - unidentified case UP6864
John Doe — Amado, Arizona
UP6864 • Found Mar 21, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 95%29 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 80%159 lb vs 200–210 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
80%Moderate
John Doe — Tucson, Arizona - unidentified case UP5473
John Doe — Tucson, Arizona
UP5473 • Found Jun 17, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 97%22 mi away, same county
TimingFound 15 months after last seen
Height 68%5'10" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 94%173 lb vs 200–210 lb
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.