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Darinel Morales Morales Missing Person Case

Last seen in Durham, North Carolina on Feb 15, 2023

Victim Details

Created

Dec 18, 2023

Case Added

Dec 22, 2023

First Name

Darinel

Last Name

Morales Morales

Current Age

Age At Disappearance

Height

63 inches

Height To

64 inches

Weight

130 lbs

Ethnicity

Hispanic / Latino

Gender

Male

Last Seen

Feb 15, 2023

City

Durham

State

North Carolina

County

Durham County

Zip Code

27704

Tribal Land

Agency ID

133141

Agency Name

Durham Police Department

Agency City

Durham

Agency State

North Carolina

Agency County

Durham County

Agency Zip Code

27701

Agency Contact

Joshua Sokal

Contact Job Title

Investigator

Agency Address

602 East Main Street, North Carolina

Agency Phone

9195604600

Agency Jurisdiction

County

Agency Type

Law Enforcement

Agency Website

http://durhamnc.gov/149/Police-Department

Agency Case #

23-022408

Primary Agency

Durham Police Department

Case Contributors

2088

Hair Color

Black

Left Eye Color

Brown

Right Eye Color

Brown

Last Updated

Oct 19, 2026

Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!

Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP113310) and 1 other source

In the winter of 2023, a young man named Darinel Wilber Morales Morales vanished from his new home in Durham, North Carolina. Only 17 years old at the time, Darinel was last seen on February 15th of that year. Originally from Guatemala, he had been placed with relatives in Durham through arrangements made by immigration authorities. It was from this residence in the 27704 zip code that the teenager disappeared, leaving behind a community and family to wonder what had become of him. The circumstances surrounding his departure were not immediately clear, adding a layer of complexity to the unfolding situation.

The initial belief was that Darinel had not met with foul play but had instead chosen to leave. It was thought that he had traveled to Florida with another family member shortly after he was last seen in mid-February. This belief, however, did not immediately trigger an official search or investigation. A significant and concerning delay occurred between his last known whereabouts and the time he was formally reported as a missing person. It wasn't until June of 2023, a full four months after he was last seen, that the Durham Police Department was officially notified of his disappearance. This substantial gap in time presented considerable challenges for law enforcement in their efforts to piece together his movements and whereabouts.

The Durham Police Department opened an investigation, assigning case number 23-022408 to Darinel's disappearance. Public outreach and alerts were initiated by both local authorities and the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons in an effort to gather any information that could lead to finding him. Despite these efforts, significant leads have been elusive, and the case remains unresolved. Darinel's case is a somber reminder of the many juvenile missing person cases in the state, and the lack of contact since he went missing has raised serious concerns for his well-being. The investigation continues, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward to help bring closure to his family.
Last Seen: Feb 15, 2023

Links to Additional Sources (1)

See any mistakes? Let us know!

Darinel Morales Morales Missing Person Flyer - CaseTrace

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

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.

76%Possible

John Doe — Bowie, Maryland

UP117344 • Found Sep 8, 2023

View case

Sex ✓Male

Age 83%Est. 19–39 vs 17

Race 100%Hispanic

Location 52%233 mi away

TimingFound 7 months after last seen

Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"–5'4"

Weight 100%128 lb vs 130 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.

Darinel Morales Morales Missing Person Case

Last seen in Durham, North Carolina on Feb 15, 2023

Victim Details

Case Description

Links to Additional Sources (1)

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

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