Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP5744) and 8 other sources
Carmen Burhans, her husband Diego Garcia, and their 8-year-old daughter Barbara Burhans were last seen on March 15, 1982, in Los Angeles, California. The family left their home in a brown 1977 Toyota Corolla and never returned. Carmen’s mother, who lived upstairs, reported that she saw the family during breakfast that morning, and noticed Carmen was visibly upset, though she did not inquire further. Later that day, the family departed without taking any personal belongings, leaving behind their dog, luggage, and clothing.

On April 25, 1982, the family's car was discovered at the bottom of a gorge in the San Gabriel Mountains, buried under five feet of snow. Despite this discovery, no trace of the family was found, and there was no evidence of foul play inside the vehicle. The road where the car was found had been closed since March 16, leading to theories that the car may have been deliberately concealed or accidentally pushed by a snowplow.

Various theories emerged surrounding the disappearance, including rumors of Carmen’s involvement in a cult, and speculations that Diego may have been entangled in criminal activities, prompting the family to flee. There were some reported sightings of Carmen after their disappearance, but none were confirmed. As of today, the whereabouts of Carmen, Diego, and Barbara remain unknown, and the case is still unsolved.

Last Seen: Mar 15, 1982

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.

86%Strong
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP4149 • Found Oct 15, 1986
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Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 40–45 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 90%178 lb vs 210 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP12476
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP12476 • Found Apr 16, 1985
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Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'8" vs 5'6"
Weight 96%185 lb vs 210 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP3145
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP3145 • Found Dec 30, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%2 mi away, same county
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"
Weight 85%173 lb vs 210 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
Jane Doe — California
UP4144 • Found Nov 11, 1986
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Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%199 lb vs 210 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
Jane Doe — Hemet, California
UP7122 • Found Jul 9, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 82%76 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%200 lb vs 210 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
80%Moderate
Jane Doe — Sylmar, California - unidentified case UP4178
Jane Doe — Sylmar, California
UP4178 • Found Feb 15, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 25–42 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%21 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0"–5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 4%108 lb vs 210 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
Jane Doe — California
UP4122 • Found Jun 15, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
78%Possible
Jane Doe — Arleta, California - unidentified case UP104482
Jane Doe — Arleta, California
UP104482 • Found Apr 11, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%17 mi away, same county
TimingFound 41 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2"–5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 53%125–145 lb vs 210 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP94448
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP94448 • Found Jun 18, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%3 mi away, same county
TimingFound 40 years after last seen
Height 84%5'2"–5'4" vs 5'6"
Weight 60%140–150 lb vs 210 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP7520
Jane Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP7520 • Found Jun 7, 2008
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 38–58 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%1 mi away, same county
TimingFound 26 years after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%213 lb vs 210 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

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.