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Antonio Gonzales Vega Cruz missing person case profile photo

Antonio Gonzales Vega Cruz Missing Person Case

Last seen in Lukeville, Arizona on Feb 25, 2004

Victim Details

Jul 30, 2012

Jul 24, 2023

Antonio

Gonzales Vega Cruz

40

18

65 inches

67 inches

155 lbs

165 lbs

Hispanic / Latino

Male

Feb 25, 2004

Lukeville

Arizona

Pima County

4279

Pima County Medical Examiner's Office

Tucson

Arizona

Pima County

85714

2825 East District Street, Arizona

5207248600

County

Medical Examiner

FSC MPR 248

Nov 6, 2004

Pima County Medical Examiner's Office

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Oct 11, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP15764) and 1 other source
In the vast and often unforgiving landscape of the Arizona borderlands, the story of Antonio Gonzales Vega Cruz's disappearance unfolds. At the age of 18, the young man was last seen on February 25, 2004, near Lukeville, Arizona, a small community in Pima County. He was not alone on his journey, having traveled from Magdalena, Sonora, with at least one other person. Their path had taken them towards State Route 83 near Sonoita, a region characterized by its rugged terrain. It was in this challenging environment that Antonio's journey took an unfortunate turn.

The circumstances leading to Antonio's disappearance are distressing. According to reports, he fell ill while traveling through the Box Canyon area. His companion made the difficult decision to leave him by the side of the road to go into a nearby town for help. This was the last time Antonio was reportedly seen. When his companion returned, Antonio was gone, having vanished into the harsh landscape without a trace. He was last known to be wearing a black shirt with a basketball image on it.

Distinctive physical characteristics might have made Antonio identifiable. He had a pierced left ear and several scars, one on his right leg and another on his right chest. He also had tattoos: a dove on his back and an eagle on his shoulder. These details paint a picture of the young man who was lost to his family and friends. The Pima County Medical Examiner's Office is the investigating agency in his case, holding the file for a young man who embarked on a journey with hopes for a different future, only to become a long-unanswered question. The overview of his case is a heart-wrenching tale of a journey cut short, a companion's desperate search, and the enduring mystery of his whereabouts.
Last Seen: Feb 25, 2004

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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  • Antonio Gonzales Vega Cruz | Missing Person | CrimeTea

    • 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 — San Simon Village, Arizona - unidentified case UP5401
    John Doe — San Simon Village, Arizona
    UP5401 • Found Jun 20, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 94%32 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'5"–5'7"
    Weight 76%120 lb vs 155–165 lb
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Ajo, Arizona - unidentified case UP6748
    John Doe — Ajo, Arizona
    UP6748 • Found May 21, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 94%34 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'5"–5'7"
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Near Ajo, Arizona - unidentified case UP5373
    John Doe — Near Ajo, Arizona
    UP5373 • Found Dec 6, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 16–22 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 94%34 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"–5'7"
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Vicinity of Childs, AZ, Arizona - unidentified case UP5393
    John Doe — Vicinity of Childs, AZ, Arizona
    UP5393 • Found Jul 30, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 16–21 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 92%39 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'5"–5'7"
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Sasabe, Arizona - unidentified case UP5495
    John Doe — Sasabe, Arizona
    UP5495 • Found Sep 6, 2004
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 16–20 vs 18
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 81%80 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 6 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'5"–5'7"
    Weight 94%134 lb vs 155–165 lb
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Cowlic, Tohono O'Odham Nation, Arizona - unidentified case UP12076
    John Doe — Cowlic, Tohono O'Odham Nation, Arizona
    UP12076 • Found Jul 5, 2013
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–36 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 90%49 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"–5'7"
    Weight 96%136 lb vs 155–165 lb
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Ajo, Arizona - unidentified case UP9045
    John Doe — Ajo, Arizona
    UP9045 • Found Mar 12, 2010
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 22–35 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 94%34 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'5"–5'7"
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Chico Shunie VIllage, Arizona - unidentified case UP5469
    John Doe — Chico Shunie VIllage, Arizona
    UP5469 • Found Jul 4, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 17–21 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 94%32 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 16 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'9" vs 5'5"–5'7"
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Gu Vo Village, Arizona - unidentified case UP5486
    John Doe — Gu Vo Village, Arizona
    UP5486 • Found Nov 20, 2004
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 20–30 vs 18
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 97%20 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 9 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"–5'7"
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP14730
    John Doe — Arizona
    UP14730 • Found Sep 7, 2015
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 18 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 96%27 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"–5'7"

    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)

    Has anyone else been piecing together Antonio's movements before his disappearance? I find it... ...Read More
    02/25/2023

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