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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 (MP153313)
Carlos Enrique Mendoza Santos, a 42-year-old Hispanic male, has been missing since October 28, 2012. He was last seen in Los Angeles, California. At the time of his disappearance, Mendoza Santos was 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed approximately 190 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. His case is being handled by the Los Angeles Police Department- Adult Missing Persons Unit, under case number 122019765.

The circumstances surrounding Mendoza Santos's disappearance are distressing. He was reportedly traveling alone by car on a journey to El Salvador. His last known communication with his family was from a city in Mexico, near the border with El Salvador. After this final contact, he was never heard from again. The family's belief that he was kidnapped is supported by a subsequent extortion attempt they received.

The investigation into his disappearance is ongoing. DNA samples have been submitted by two of his daughters to the California Department of Justice Jan Bashinski DNA Laboratory to aid in identification efforts. His case is listed in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System under case number MP153313. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Carlos Enrique Mendoza Santos is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.

Last Seen: Oct 28, 2012

Links to Additional Sources (0)

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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.

86%Strong
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 42 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%2 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%175–190 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
85%Strong
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP12867 • Found May 3, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 42 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 18 months after last seen
Height 100%5'0"–5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%200–250 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
84%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP12379
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP12379 • Found Jan 26, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 42 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 15 months after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'8" vs 5'6"
Weight 88%150–160 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
84%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP12377
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP12377 • Found Jan 12, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 78%Est. 25–40 vs 42 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%3 mi away, same county
TimingFound 15 months after last seen
Height 100%5'1"–5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 85%157 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
84%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP154628
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP154628 • Found Dec 8, 2025
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 42 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–5'9" vs 5'6"
Weight 88%150–160 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
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 42 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'6"
Weight 82%154 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — North Hills, California - unidentified case UP17371
John Doe — North Hills, California
UP17371 • Found Dec 23, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 42 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 99%15 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 68%5'3" vs 5'6"
Weight 98%169 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP16226 • Found Dec 2, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 78%Est. 25–40 vs 42 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%1 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0"–5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%170–200 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
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 42 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'11" vs 5'6"
Weight 99%170 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP17844
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP17844 • Found Apr 20, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 42 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'8" vs 5'6"
Weight 99%160–170 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 60%Brown 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.