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Gabriela Gonzalez Missing Person Case

Last seen in San Diego, California on Apr 5, 2002

Victim Details

Apr 15, 2010

Jun 27, 2017

Gabriela

Gonzalez

38

14

61 inches

115 lbs

Hispanic / Latino

Female

Apr 5, 2002

San Diego

California

San Diego County

92154

26591

Chula Vista Police Department

Chula Vista

California

,

02-13490

Apr 7, 2002

Chula Vista Police Department

Brown

Brown

Brown

No

Oct 10, 2026


Area Last Seen:

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missing person Gabriela Gonzalez Chula Vista CA

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP6124) and 10 other sources
Gabriela Leticia Gonzalez, a 14-year-old girl from San Diego, California, disappeared on April 5, 2002, after being dropped off at school by her mother. That day, however, Gabriela did not attend classes and was last seen visiting her 19-year-old boyfriend, Juan Jose Vera, in Chula Vista. Despite initial assumptions that she may have run away, authorities now believe foul play was involved in her disappearance. Gabriela left a note for her mother expressing love and indicating she was going out, but she has not been heard from since.

Investigators have pointed to Vera, who had ties to local gangs and a criminal record, as a person of interest in the case. He was reportedly abusive toward Gabriela, heightening suspicions about his involvement. Although police searched the Otay River Bottom in 2005, suspecting her remains might be buried there, no conclusive evidence was found. The investigation has since remained active, with authorities treating her disappearance as a potential homicide. Despite the lack of solid leads, the FBI and local police have continued efforts to resolve the case.

Gabriela was a freshman at Montgomery High School, known to have been close with her family despite struggling academically. Now a cold case, her disappearance has left her loved ones without answers for more than two decades, and the community continues to hope for closure. The Chula Vista Police Department, in collaboration with the FBI, has periodically reignited efforts to find her or bring those responsible to justice.
Last Seen: Apr 5, 2002

Links to Additional Sources (10)

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  • Police seek clues in 2002 murder of South Bay teen | cbs8.com
  • Gabriela Leticia Gonzalez | State of California - Department of Justice
  • 3129DFCA - Gabriela Leticia Gonzalez - Doe Network
  • New clues, search in Otay Mesa teen's 2002 disappearance
  • Gabriela Leticia Gonzalez - The Charley Project
  • New Push for Leads on Mysterious 2002 Cold Case of Missing ...
  • Gaby Gonzales Cold Case Investigation Revisited - FBI
  • FBI to search Otay River Valley for body of missing Gabriela 'Gaby ...
  • The
  • Investigators search South Bay riverbed for teen missing since 2002

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (5)

    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
    Jane Doe — California - unidentified case UP54236
    Jane Doe — California
    UP54236 • Found Aug 9, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 12–20 vs 14 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 98%17 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 16 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'1" vs 5'1"
    Weight 100%111 lb vs 115 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    Jane Doe — San Ysidro, California
    UP57196 • Found Aug 12, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 92%Est. 20–30 vs 14 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 100%9 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'4" vs 5'1"
    Weight 23%163 lb vs 115 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    Name: same last name as tentative name (Ana Gonzalez-Portugal)
    76%Possible
    Jane Doe — Alpine, California
    UP107707 • Found Jun 5, 2023
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 14 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 98%18 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 21 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'3"–5'7" vs 5'1"
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Long Beach, California - unidentified case UP91724
    Jane Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP91724 • Found Apr 20, 2022
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 92%Est. 35–45 vs 14 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 72%113 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 20 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'0"–5'3" vs 5'1"
    Weight 100%125–140 lb vs 115 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Dulzura, California
    UP2898 • Found Sep 27, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 82%Est. 20–30 vs 14 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 100%10 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 68%4'10" vs 5'1"

    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 (2)

    Hey everyone, I’ve been looking into Gabriela Gonzalez’s case lately, and there’s something about... ...Read More
    06/12/2023
    I’ve just been revisiting Gabriela Gonzalez's case, and something that has always puzzled me is the... ...Read More
    02/03/2023

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