Account
Dec 12, 2008
May 30, 2023
Jesus
Valdovinos
45
19
70 inches
145 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
In the pre-dawn hours of April 18, 1998, a 19-year-old U.S. Navy sailor named Jesus Cardoza Valdovinos vanished while on a ferry ride from Seattle to Bremerton, Washington. At the time, Valdovinos was an apprentice fireman and engineman striker assigned to the U.S.S. Ranier (AOE-7), which was homeported in Bremerton. He was last definitively seen on the ferry sometime between 4:00 a.m. and 5:15 a.m. The young sailor, known to some by the nickname "Chewey," was of Hispanic and White/Caucasian descent, with black hair and brown eyes. He stood at approximately 5'10" and weighed around 145 pounds. The disappearance of this young man, who was just beginning his military career, would leave a void of unanswered questions for his family and investigators. The circumstances surrounding Jesus Valdovinos's disappearance are shrouded in ambiguity. While he was last seen on the ferry heading towards Bremerton, a crewmember reported a possible sighting of an individual matching his description on the ferry's return trip to Seattle later that same morning. However, it has never been confirmed if this individual was indeed Valdovinos. This tantalizing but unverified detail adds another layer of complexity to an already baffling case. No other credible sightings or reports of his whereabouts have surfaced since that fateful day. The lack of concrete evidence has made it difficult for investigators to piece together the events that transpired during those early morning hours on the Puget Sound. The investigation into the disappearance of Jesus Valdovinos was handled by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). Despite their efforts, the case grew cold over the years, with few leads to follow. Valdovinos, who was born in Arteaga, Mexico, seemingly vanished without a trace, leaving behind a life and a military career. The case remains an unsolved missing persons investigation, a poignant reminder of a young life interrupted. The official narrative is one of a man who embarked on a routine ferry ride and was never seen again, a story that offers no closure to those who knew and loved him. The overview of this case is one of enduring mystery, with the passage of time offering no new insights into what became of the young sailor.
Apr 18, 1998
Seattle
Washington
King County
No
6852
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
Bremerton
Washington
,
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
4973
Black
Brown
Brown
06/08/2026
