Crime Solvers Central
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 (MP55882)
Arturo Zavala Hilerio, a 20-year-old man, disappeared on April 28, 2014, while attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. Originally from Chiapas, Mexico, Arturo had traveled a long distance, intending to reunite with his family in the United States. He last contacted his family from Reynosa, a border town in Mexico, where he told them that the people who were supposed to pick him up had not arrived. Disturbingly, he mentioned that he had been approached by others who were not part of his original plan.

Arturo’s mother, Laura Hilerio, has been tirelessly searching for him ever since. She recalls the last phone call she had with her son on April 25, just days before his disappearance. Despite efforts to contact those who were helping Arturo cross the border, communication became inconsistent, and eventually, Laura learned that her son had been taken to a "safe house" where he could no longer use his phone. After that, she lost all contact with him.

Over the years, Laura has sought help from various organizations, including non-governmental groups like Águilas del Desierto, which specialize in searching for missing migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border. While Laura continues to hope that Arturo is alive, she also fears that he may have fallen victim to kidnapping or other dangers common in border crossings. Despite the lack of new information, her determination to find her son remains unwavering.

Last Seen: Apr 28, 2014

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.

83%Moderate
John Doe — Pharr, Texas
UP104060 • Found Apr 11, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%3 mi away, same county
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%192 lb vs 180–200 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Mission, Texas
UP81370 • Found May 23, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 16–29 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%167 lb vs 180–200 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Mission, Texas
UP122149 • Found Apr 26, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 12–20 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%205 lb vs 180–200 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Mission, Texas
UP50806 • Found May 3, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 12–20 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 47%117 lb vs 180–200 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Rio Grande City, Texas
UP53382 • Found May 23, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–24 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 93%38 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'6"
81%Moderate
John Doe — Texas - unidentified case UP15115
John Doe — Texas
UP15115 • Found Jun 9, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–25 vs 20
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 weeks after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
81%Moderate
John Doe — Texas - unidentified case UP14850
John Doe — Texas
UP14850 • Found Jun 8, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 19–27 vs 20
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 weeks after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Texas
UP73055 • Found Jan 10, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 19–27 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 91%44 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1"–5'5" vs 5'6"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Texas
UP58809 • Found Jan 7, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 23–37 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 91%44 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0"–5'5" vs 5'6"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Texas - unidentified case UP79542
John Doe — Texas
UP79542 • Found Jan 7, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 22–33 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 91%44 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4"–5'9" vs 5'6"

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.