274 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Hector Cottrell Missing Person Case

Last seen in Oceanside, California on Dec 20, 2004

Victim Details

Created

Apr 26, 2019

Case Added

Mar 23, 2022

Firstname

Hector

Lastname

Cottrell

Current Age

Age At Disappearance

Height

69 inches

Weight

180 lbs

Ethnicity

White / Caucasian

Gender

Male

Last Seen

Dec 20, 2004

City

Oceanside

State

California

County

San Diego County

Zip Code

92054

Tribal Land

Agency ID

49250

Agency Name

Oceanside Police Department

Agency City

Oceanside

Agency State

California

Agency County

San Diego County

Agency Zip Code

92054

Agency Contact

Elizabeth Bunn

Contact Job Title

Senior Field Evidence Technician

Agency Address

3855 Mission Avenue, California

Agency Phone

7604354900

Agency Jurisdiction

Local

Agency Type

Law Enforcement

Agency Website

https://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/gov/police/default.asp

Agency Case #

05017731

Agency Report Date

2005-07-18

Primary Agency

Oceanside Police Department

CaseContributors

9686

Hair Color

Brown

Left Eye Color

Brown

Right Eye Color

Brown

Last Updated

07/23/2026

Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!

Hector Christopher Cottrell, a 56-year-old man, was last seen on December 20, 2004, in Oceanside, California. Cottrell, also known by his nickname "Chris," disappeared without a trace, and very little information has emerged about his case since. He was last seen wearing layers of clothing, flip-flops, and socks. Described as a Caucasian male with brown hair and brown eyes, he stood 5'9" and weighed around 180 pounds at the time of his disappearance.

Cottrell had fiv ...

MEMBER ACCESS

Continue reading the complete case summary

Unlock the full case narrative for Hector Cottrell, all available source links, additional videos, and member discussions.

Unlock Full Case Access — $3.97/month

Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in

Last Seen: Dec 20, 2004

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!

Hector Christopher Cottrell | State of California - Department of Justice

Hector Christopher Cottrell - The Charley Project

MEMBER ACCESS

Unlock 3 additional sources

View the complete collection of available reporting and reference links for this case.

View All Case Sources — $3.97/month

Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in

Hector Cottrell Missing Person Case

Last seen in Oceanside, California on Dec 20, 2004

Victim Details

Case Description

Continue reading the complete case summary

Links to Additional Sources (5)

Unlock 3 additional sources

Latest News

New footage reveals details of the In-N-Out Idaho shooting that killed 3, injured 7

The Disappearance of Kurt Lee Jensen

Harrowing police footage shows gunman's deadly rampage at Idaho In-N-Out Burger

The Disappearance of Jonathon Ellis

FAA orders inspections on hundreds of Boeing 737 Max jets for fuselage cracks

The Disappearance of Lashaya Stine

Idaho In-N-Out shooting victims remembered by loved ones: "She lit up a room"

The Disappearance of Sandra Eckert

Amanda Knox defends comedy show amid sensitivity criticisms

The Disappearance of John Kapaun

Forum Posts (1)

Join the discussion for Hector Cottrell

Other Missing Cases from Oceanside, California