Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 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 (MP4224) and 4 other sources
In the late 1980s, Manuel Vargas, a 49-year-old man, vanished from his home in Metairie, Louisiana. He was last seen leaving his residence on Cleary Avenue. Following his departure, he was never heard from or seen again, leaving behind a void of information and a case with very few details for investigators to pursue. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain largely unknown, casting a long shadow of uncertainty for his family and community. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office took on the case, but the trail quickly went cold.

At the time he went missing, Vargas was described as a White male with graying hair and brown eyes. He stood at approximately five feet, three inches tall and weighed around 125 pounds. His appearance was marked by several distinct features, including scars on his right arm and on his face. He also had several tattoos on his right arm and forearm, which included the name 'Jesus,' an anchor, a ship's wheel, and the image of a woman. These defining characteristics were recorded in the hopes that they might one day lead to his identification.

Decades have passed since Manuel Vargas was last seen, and his case has grown cold with the passage of time. The lack of significant leads has left his whereabouts an enduring mystery. The investigation, managed by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, remains open, a silent testament to a life interrupted without explanation. The overview of this case is one of sudden and complete disappearance, a man who walked out of his home one day and was never accounted for again, leaving only questions in his wake.

Last Seen: Sep 13, 1988

Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

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.

78%Possible
John Doe — Metairie, Louisiana
UP16659 • Found Aug 12, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 49 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%3 mi away, same county
TimingFound 28 years after last seen
Height 84%5'1" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%125 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 70%Black vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Baton Rouge, Louisiana
UP14646 • Found Feb 4, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 49 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%70 mi away, same state
TimingFound 17 months after last seen
Height 20%5'9" vs 5'3"
Weight 50%165 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
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.