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 (MP1420) and 5 other sources
Ronald Dean La Valley, a 20-year-old male, went missing on January 7, 1988, from Boulder Creek, Santa Cruz County, California. He was last seen by his roommates, who later reported him missing. Ronald, who was also known by the nickname "Ronnie," was described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He had distinguishing features such as a scar on his right cheek and a pierced left ear.

Ronald's case has remained unsolved for many years, and his father has expressed concerns that foul play may have been involved in his disappearance. Despite the passage of time, there have been no significant developments in the investigation. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department continues to seek information, with dental records and DNA available to aid in identifying Ronald if new evidence arises.

His case remains active, with authorities encouraging anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to come forward. Ronald's disappearance, like many other cold cases, has left his family and community searching for answers decades after he was last seen.

Last Seen: Jan 7, 1988

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.

80%Moderate
John Doe — California - unidentified case UP17689
John Doe — California
UP17689 • Found May 10, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 79%87 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%170 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Glamis, California - unidentified case UP15319
John Doe — Glamis, California
UP15319 • Found Oct 2, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–22 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 75%Same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Turlock, California
UP50957 • Found Jul 11, 2001
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 82%74 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%130–180 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Stockton, California - unidentified case UP50599
John Doe — Stockton, California
UP50599 • Found Jul 12, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 81%79 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 89%135 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Palo Alto, California - unidentified case UP127061
John Doe — Palo Alto, California
UP127061 • Found May 23, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 68%Est. 30–50 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%29 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%157–172 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP125517
John Doe — San Jose, California
UP125517 • Found Feb 11, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%27 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 36%5'3" vs 5'8"
Weight 76%125 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Calexico, California
UP15316 • Found Jun 10, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 75%Same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP7082 • Found Aug 21, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 20 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Hazel vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Tiburon, California
UP7084 • Found Aug 20, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–40 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%67 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 83%130 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — California
UP3992 • Found Mar 12, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 19–29 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 46%293 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%145 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
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.