Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Fernando Valenzuela missing person case profile photo

Fernando Valenzuela Missing Person Case

Last seen in South Gate, California on Feb 21, 1990

Victim Details

Jul 27, 2024

Aug 7, 2024

Fernando

Valenzuela

65

29

72 inches

200 lbs

Hispanic / Latino

Male

Feb 21, 1990

South Gate

California

Los Angeles County

90280

No

150773

Los Angeles Police Department- Adult Missing Persons Unit

Los Angeles

California

Los Angeles County

90012

100 West 1st Street, California

8772755273

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.lapdonline.org/

920902158

Feb 21, 1990

Los Angeles Police Department- Adult Missing Persons Unit

na

Black

Brown

Brown

Sep 17, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP126398) and 4 other sources
Fernando Valenzuela, a 29-year-old man, was last seen on February 21, 1990, in South Gate, California. His disappearance remains unsolved, and few details have emerged regarding the circumstances surrounding the case. At the time of his disappearance, Fernando's case was categorized as missing, with no clear indication of whether foul play was involved or if he left of his own volition.

Despite the efforts of law enforcement and family members, Fernando's whereabouts remain unknown, and his case has become one of many long-standing missing person investigations in California. Authorities continue to appeal to the public for any information that might provide leads, but so far, there has been no significant breakthrough. The case remains active in missing persons databases as officials and loved ones hold out hope for answers.

Fernando's disappearance is part of a larger pattern of unresolved cases in California during the late 20th century, with many details shrouded in mystery and limited updates over time. The search continues, and any new information that surfaces could be critical in shedding light on what happened on that day in February 1990.
Last Seen: Feb 21, 1990

Links to Additional Sources (4)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP126398
  • Fernando Valenzuela - Dodger Thoughts
  • How Fernando Valenzuela could be in the Baseball Hall of Fame
  • Cardinals @ Dodgers 6/29/1990 (Fernando Valenzuela's No Hitter)

    • 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.

    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP3419
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP3419 • Found Mar 9, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 100%8 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 77%157 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP3582
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP3582 • Found Oct 7, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 22–32 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 100%10 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 52%5'8" vs 6'0"
    Weight 95%175 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Hollywood, California - unidentified case UP3736
    John Doe — Hollywood, California
    UP3736 • Found May 15, 1993
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 99%13 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'5"–5'9" vs 6'0"
    Weight 75%155 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    Eyes 90%Black vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Santa Ana, California - unidentified case UP7678
    John Doe — Santa Ana, California
    UP7678 • Found Jan 28, 1992
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 21–30 vs 29 when missing
    Race 60%White
    Location 96%24 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 23 months after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"
    Weight 74%154 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP17827
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP17827 • Found Apr 12, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 100%10 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 28 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'5"–5'9" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%175–190 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Riverside, California
    UP7243 • Found Jul 11, 1992
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 29 when missing
    Race 60%White
    Location 90%47 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%202 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Hollywood, California - unidentified case UP3843
    John Doe — Hollywood, California
    UP3843 • Found Aug 3, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 99%15 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 17 months after last seen
    Height 52%5'8" vs 6'0"
    Weight 95%175 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP79792
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP79792 • Found Mar 7, 2015
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 40–64 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 100%8 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 25 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6"–5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 90%170 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP60986
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP60986 • Found Sep 22, 2019
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 29 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 100%8 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 30 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'5"–5'9" vs 6'0"
    Weight 74%154 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Camp Pendleton North, California - unidentified case UP108109
    John Doe — Camp Pendleton North, California
    UP108109 • Found Jul 18, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 29
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 85%66 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 months after last seen
    Height 36%5'7" vs 6'0"
    Weight 88%168 lb vs 200 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.

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (2)

    I've been following Fernando Valenzuela's case for a while now, and I'm curious if anyone has more... ...Read More
    09/06/2024
    Has anyone else noticed the number of cases in Southern California from the late '80s and early '90s... ...Read More
    08/18/2023

    Other Missing Cases from South Gate, California

    Alejandro Rojas missing person case in South Gate, California

    Alejandro Rojas

    Missing: Nov 19, 2005
    Alejandro Rojas, a 4-year-old boy, was last seen on November 19, 2005, in South Gate, California. It ...Read More
    Kevin Vargas missing person case in South Gate, California

    Kevin Vargas

    Missing: Dec 31, 2008
    Kevin Josue Vargas, a 17-year-old male, was last seen on December 31, 2008, in South Gate ...Read More
    Anthony Thomas missing person case in South Gate, California

    Anthony Thomas

    Missing: Apr 16, 2025
    In the spring of 2025, a young man named Anthony Michael Thomas, 25 years old, vanished from the ...Read More
    Ever Acosta missing person case in South Gate, California

    Ever Acosta

    Missing: Sep 10, 2018
    Ever Acosta, a 33-year-old man, was last contacted on September 10, 2018, in South Gate, California. ...Read More
    Manuel Munguia missing person case in South Gate, California

    Manuel Munguia

    Missing: Apr 28, 2021
    Manuel Munguia, a 27-year-old man, was last seen on April 28, 2021, in South Gate, California. ...Read More
    Omar Ramirez Palafox missing person case in South Gate, California

    Omar Ramirez Palafox

    Missing: Jul 7, 2021
    Omar Ramirez Palafox, a 45-year-old man, was last seen on July 7, 2021, in South Gate, California. ...Read More