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 (MP1273) and 6 other sources
Hector Javier Lopez-Ruiz, a 20-year-old man, was last seen in Vista, California, on October 15, 1997. At the time of his disappearance, Hector was described as 5'8" tall, weighing 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He had a tattoo of the letter "V" on his left middle finger and may have had additional tattoos on his back, possibly the words "Vista" or "Sandie."

The circumstances of his disappearance are largely unknown, as few details have emerged over the years. He was last seen in the San Diego County area, but since then, no one has heard from him. His case remains unsolved, and law enforcement continues to investigate, hoping for any new information that could provide clues about his whereabouts.

Hector's case is listed in multiple missing person databases, including the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) and the California Department of Justice. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Last Seen: Oct 15, 1997

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.

84%Moderate
John Doe — Campo, California
UP56619 • Found Feb 18, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 86%61 mi away, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
Weight 91%128 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
84%Moderate
John Doe — Pine Valley, California
UP56812 • Found Dec 4, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 20
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 89%49 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 weeks after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%146 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Jamul, California
UP56776 • Found Apr 25, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%40 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 months after last seen
Height 68%5'5" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%149 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Julian, California
UP56915 • Found Oct 3, 1997
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 19–27 vs 20
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%38 mi away, same county
TimingFound same day as last seen
Height 84%5'3"–5'6" vs 5'8"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
82%Moderate
John Doe — San Diego, California
UP2660 • Found Oct 19, 2007
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 94%34 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%141 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Bell Gardens, California
UP3399 • Found Nov 25, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 82%74 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 months after last seen
Height 68%5'5" vs 5'8"
Weight 93%130 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Escondido, California - unidentified case UP55597
John Doe — Escondido, California
UP55597 • Found Jul 12, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 99%14 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%138 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
80%Moderate
John Doe — Bonita, California
UP55887 • Found Feb 5, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%39 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'7" vs 5'8"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Carlsbad, California
UP56666 • Found Jan 31, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 68%5'0"–5'5" vs 5'8"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Compton, California
UP10299 • Found Dec 26, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–28 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 82%74 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%163 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Black 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.