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Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP10584) and 7 other sources
Margaret Elaine Diaz was celebrating her 32nd birthday with her family in Tacoma, Washington, on July 4, 1988, the last day she was ever seen. A mother of three children, Margaret, who was biracial with Black and White heritage, had dark brown hair and green eyes. At approximately 5'5' and 125 pounds, she was a familiar presence in her community. Details about the birthday celebration, such as what she was wearing or her state of mind, remain unclear. It is not publicly known if she left the event by herself or with someone else. The family gathering marks the last confirmed sighting of Margaret, and despite the passage of time, the circumstances of her disappearance are still not fully understood. Also known by her maiden name, Margaret Cohen, and a former married name, Margaret Riley, her absence created a void in the lives of her loved ones.

Despite her connection to what has been described as a 'high-risk lifestyle' and associations with individuals in the Hilltop area of Tacoma, a neighborhood known for drug-related crime at the time, it was considered uncharacteristic for Margaret to cease all communication with her children. She maintained regular contact with them, making her sudden silence all the more alarming. The lack of information following her disappearance has been a significant challenge in the investigation. For years, her family has been left without answers, grappling with the uncertainty of her fate.

The investigation into Margaret Diaz's disappearance has remained open, with the Pierce County Sheriff's Office handling the case. Her case is listed in national databases for missing persons, including NamUs, under the number MP10584. The few available details of her case have been shared publicly in the hopes of generating new leads. Over the years, the lack of progress has been a source of ongoing pain for her family. The overview of this case is one of a loving mother who vanished after what should have been a joyous occasion. The limited information and the passage of decades have made finding answers incredibly difficult, yet the hope that someone will come forward with information that could resolve the case persists.

Last Seen: Jul 4, 1988

Possible Unidentified Matches (3)

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.

77%Possible
Jane Doe — Seattle, Washington - unidentified case UP14084
Jane Doe — Seattle, Washington
UP14084 • Found May 29, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 60–80 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%25 mi away, same state
TimingFound 27 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%137 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
77%Possible
Jane Doe — Kent, Washington - unidentified case UP14083
Jane Doe — Kent, Washington
UP14083 • Found May 27, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%13 mi away, same state
TimingFound 27 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"
Weight 90%106 lb vs 125 lb
75%Possible
Jane Doe — Portland, Oregon - unidentified case UP9599
Jane Doe — Portland, Oregon
UP9599 • Found Sep 7, 1993
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 71%121 mi away
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"
Weight 96%140 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green

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.