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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 (MP159907)
In the late summer of 2013, a sense of unease settled over a family in Homestead, Florida, when 43-year-old Luis Zavala Vanegas seemingly vanished without a trace. On August 13th of that year, Mr. Zavala Vanegas left his residence on foot and was never seen or heard from again. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as a Hispanic and White/Caucasian male, standing between 5'5" and 5'6" tall, and weighing between 120 and 140 pounds. He had black hair and brown eyes. On the day he went missing, he was reportedly wearing a white shirt and light blue denim pants.

The circumstances surrounding Luis Zavala Vanegas's disappearance are unsettling in their simplicity. There were no signs of foul play at his home, no indication of a planned departure, and no contact with family or friends after he walked away from his residence. The Homestead Police Department was notified of his disappearance two days later, on August 15, 2013, and an official investigation was launched. Despite their efforts, leads were scarce, and the trail quickly grew cold. Mr. Zavala Vanegas had a distinct physical characteristic: his right pinkie finger was missing, a detail that authorities hoped would aid in his identification.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and now years have passed since Luis Zavala Vanegas was last seen. His case remains an open and painful chapter for his loved ones, who are left with unanswered questions and the enduring hope for a resolution. The investigation, led by the Homestead Police Department, has been entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System under case number MP159907. This national database serves as a crucial tool for law enforcement agencies and the public to share and cross-reference information on missing persons cases. The overview of this case is one of a sudden and unexplained departure, leaving a void in the lives of those who knew him. With no evidence of his whereabouts or what may have transpired after he left his home, the disappearance of Luis Zavala Vanegas remains a somber mystery.

Last Seen: Aug 13, 2013

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Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

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.

80%Moderate
John Doe — Immokalee, Florida
UP81735 • Found Jul 26, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 78%88 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'5"–5'6"
Weight 65%175 lb vs 120–140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP89163
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP89163 • Found Dec 27, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 43 when missing
Race 60%White
Location 96%26 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'5" vs 5'5"–5'6"
Weight 100%126 lb vs 120–140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black

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.