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Saul Curiel Missing Person Case

Last seen in Santa Barbara, California on Jul 15, 1996

Victim Details

Nov 26, 2012

Jun 25, 2018

Saul

Curiel

64

34

71 inches

170 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jul 15, 1996

Santa Barbara

California

Santa Barbara County

12681

Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Department

Santa Barbara

California

,

96-0012396

Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Department

Black

Brown

Brown

Sep 30, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP18181) and 3 other sources
Saul Ayala Curiel, a 34-year-old man, was last seen on July 15, 1996, in Santa Barbara County, California. At the time of his disappearance, Curiel was described as 5'11" tall, weighing around 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He also had a small scar on one side of his nose, and he may have had a mustache or beard.

Very few details are available regarding the circumstances of Curiel's disappearance, and no significant leads have emerged over the years. His case is classified as missing, and authorities have yet to uncover evidence that could explain his sudden disappearance. Despite efforts by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, Curiel has not been located, and his case remains unsolved.

Law enforcement agencies continue to encourage anyone with information regarding Curiel’s whereabouts to come forward. His case remains active in missing persons databases, including NamUs.
Last Seen: Jul 15, 1996

Links to Additional Sources (3)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Saul Ayala Curiel | State of California - Department of Justice - CA.gov
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP18181 - Office of Justice Programs
  • Saul Ayala Curiel - The Charley Project

    • 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 — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP3455
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP3455 • Found Sep 15, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 79%87 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 14 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
    Weight 78%134 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Riverside, California - unidentified case UP7016
    John Doe — Riverside, California
    UP7016 • Found Jan 5, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 68%136 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 18 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
    Weight 100%172 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — South El Monte, California
    UP3396 • Found May 7, 1999
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–43 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 76%98 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
    Weight 91%145 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Whittier, California
    UP3420 • Found Dec 30, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 75%100 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 18 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
    Weight 33%105 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP14611
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP14611 • Found Sep 9, 2015
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 79%86 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 19 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
    Weight 91%145 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — South Gate, California
    UP10986 • Found Oct 2, 2012
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–38 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 78%91 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 16 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–6'1" vs 5'11"
    Weight 100%157 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Porter Ranch, California - unidentified case UP2962
    John Doe — Porter Ranch, California
    UP2962 • Found Jan 19, 2008
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 37–47 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 85%66 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7"–5'9" vs 5'11"
    Weight 100%185–200 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Long Beach, California - unidentified case UP3074
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP3074 • Found Oct 24, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 75%101 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
    Weight 94%148 lb vs 170 lb
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Buena Park, California - unidentified case UP12758
    John Doe — Buena Park, California
    UP12758 • Found Jul 1, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 74%105 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 18 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
    Weight 100%183 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Castaic, California - unidentified case UP7578
    John Doe — Castaic, California
    UP7578 • Found Mar 8, 2010
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 22–35 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 86%61 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
    Weight 46%113 lb vs 170 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.

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    Forum Posts (3)

    Hey everyone, I was digging into Saul Ayala Curiel's case recently, and something caught my... ...Read More
    04/10/2024
    Did anyone else find it odd that there aren't many details about Saul Ayala Curiel's lifestyle or... ...Read More
    09/09/2023
    I was doing some digging into Saul Ayala Curiel's case, and it seems like there's hardly any... ...Read More
    06/26/2023

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