Santana Ornelas Missing Person Case

Santana Ornelas Jr., a 24-year-old man, was last seen on April 1, 1990, in Novato, California. At the time of his disappearance, Ornelas was facing legal troubles, having been charged with robbery in 1989 while attending Marin Junior College. He missed a court appearance scheduled for after his disappearance, and a warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest. Authorities believed that Ornelas may have fled to the Colfax area in California to avoid prosecution. Despite these leads, no concrete evidence has surfaced regarding his whereabouts, and the charges against him have since been dropped due to the statute of limitations expiring.

Ornelas left home after packing his belongings and has not been heard from since. His family remains deeply concerned, especially due to his father's medical condition, which could potentially be improved by a kidney transplant for which Ornelas might be a match. Investigators have speculated that Ornelas may be living under a new identity, possibly using a different Social Security number. Despite the efforts of local authorities and continued interest in the case, it remains unsolved.

Though Ornelas is no longer wanted for any crimes, the mystery of his disappearance endures. His family, and particularly his father, continues to hope for answers, as the possibility of Ornelas being alive under a new name remains. The case has not seen significant developments in recent years, leaving the question of what happened to him unanswered.
Last Seen: Apr 1, 1990

Santana Ornelas Jr. - The Charley Project

Missing Person / NamUs #MP12133

Santana Ornelas - California - 1990

Santana Ornelas | State of California - Department of Justice