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 (MP29281)
Bryan Zavala, a 19-year-old from McAllen, Texas, was last seen on May 29, 2013. His disappearance occurred under troubling circumstances while he was part of a group that had crossed the border from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, into the U.S. The group had been traveling on foot for three days before stopping near a highway due to exhaustion. According to reports, Bryan was left behind with limited supplies, including only a bottle of water and a piece of bread. After being left behind, he was never seen again. There has been no confirmed sighting or communication from Bryan since that day, and his case remains unsolved.

The specific location where Bryan was abandoned is unclear, but authorities believe it was in the vicinity of McAllen, Texas, after the group had been walking for several days on U.S. soil. Despite efforts to locate him, no substantial leads have emerged, leaving family and investigators with few answers. His disappearance is listed in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), but the case has not seen much media attention over the years. Bryan’s case is one among many border-related disappearances, which present unique challenges due to the nature of border crossings and the complexities of search efforts in such areas.

Bryan Zavala’s family continues to seek answers, hoping that anyone with information about his whereabouts will come forward. His case has garnered some attention in online communities dedicated to solving cold cases, but as of now, there has been little progress toward uncovering what happened to him after he was left behind by the group he was traveling with. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance have left many unanswered questions.

Last Seen: May 29, 2013

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.

84%Moderate
John Doe — Mission, Texas
UP81370 • Found May 23, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 16–29 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%3 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 96%167 lb vs 190–195 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
84%Moderate
John Doe — Texas
UP12033 • Found Dec 10, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 13–20 vs 19
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 87%57 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 months after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'7" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 67%140 lb vs 190–195 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Mission, Texas
UP122149 • Found Apr 26, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 12–20 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 100%205 lb vs 190–195 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Pharr, Texas
UP104060 • Found Apr 11, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%3 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 100%192 lb vs 190–195 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
82%Moderate
John Doe — Mission, Texas
UP50806 • Found May 3, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 12–20 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 34%117 lb vs 190–195 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
81%Moderate
John Doe — Hidalgo, Texas
UP12720 • Found Jun 20, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–20 vs 19 when missing
Race 60%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 13 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 100%190 lb vs 190–195 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
80%Moderate
John Doe — Texas
UP52606 • Found May 25, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–27 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 91%43 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4"–5'8" vs 5'6"–5'7"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Rio Grande City, Texas
UP53382 • Found May 23, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–24 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%39 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'6"–5'7"
80%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 19 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 87%57 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"–5'7"
80%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 19 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 87%57 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"–5'7"

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.