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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 (MP161447) and 2 other sources
In the quiet city of Asheboro, North Carolina, the new year of 2007 began with a sense of unease for the family of Jose Manuel Bravo Zagada. On January 1st, the 20-year-old Hispanic male was last seen, and as the days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, his absence became a profound and unanswered question. Standing at approximately 5 feet 7 to 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing between 125 and 135 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, Jose was a familiar face in his community. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance were troubling from the outset, with investigators from the Asheboro Police Department indicating that foul play was suspected in his case.

The investigation into what happened to Jose Zagada was launched after he was officially reported missing on April 14, 2007, more than three months after he was last seen. This delay in reporting can often complicate the initial and most crucial stages of a missing person investigation, as memories fade and potential evidence can be lost. The Asheboro Police Department, under case number 07AS06092, began the difficult task of piecing together the last known moments of the young man's life. Despite their efforts, the trail grew cold, and the specific details of what transpired on that New Year's Day have remained shrouded in mystery, leaving his loved ones in a state of perpetual uncertainty.

Years have passed since Jose Zagada vanished, and his case has transitioned into a long-standing cold case. The silence surrounding his disappearance is a heavy burden for his family and the investigators who have worked on his case. With no new leads or information being released to the public, the narrative of Jose's life has been tragically suspended at the age of 20. The overview of this case is one of sudden and unexplained absence, with the persistent belief by law enforcement that he met with foul play. The lack of public information and the passage of time have made it an incredibly challenging case to solve, yet the hope for answers and a resolution for Jose's family endures.

Last Seen: Jan 1, 2007

Links to Additional Sources (2)

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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.

75%Possible
John Doe — Mount Airy, North Carolina - unidentified case UP60335
John Doe — Mount Airy, North Carolina
UP60335 • Found Mar 29, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 84%Est. 32–44 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 84%70 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1"–5'7" vs 5'7"–5'8"
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.