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 (MP23008) and 4 other sources
Robert Joel LaPergola Jr., a 28-year-old male, went missing on April 26, 1987, after embarking on a solo hike in Death Valley, California. LaPergola, who stood 5'11" and weighed about 180 pounds, was last seen wearing a green fatigue jacket, a maroon t-shirt, cut-off denim pants, and jungle boots. He also wore prescription sunglasses. He had distinguishing features, including tattoos of skulls and flowers on both arms, and his left ear had a notch from a pulled-out earring.

LaPergola had planned to meet his girlfriend a week later but never arrived at their scheduled location, and he has not been heard from since. Authorities have classified his case as "lost/injured missing," as no significant leads have emerged over the years. The Inyo County Sheriff's Department continues to oversee the investigation into his disappearance, though the harsh and isolated terrain of Death Valley complicates efforts to gather new evidence.

Despite being listed in multiple missing person databases, including NamUs, no trace of LaPergola has been found, leaving his case one of many enduring mysteries from the region.

Last Seen: Apr 26, 1987

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.

80%Moderate
John Doe — Las Vegas, Nevada
UP308 • Found Jun 1, 1989
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–39 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 74%103 mi away
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
Weight 72%223 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
78%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP4120 • Found Jun 23, 1987
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 28
Race 100%White
Location 58%186 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 weeks after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 98%160 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
77%Possible
John Doe — California
UP3941 • Found Oct 28, 1989
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 24–36 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 58%187 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
Weight 98%160 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
77%Possible
John Doe — Santa Monica, California
UP4125 • Found May 9, 1987
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–32 vs 28
Race 100%White
Location 56%195 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 days after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%186 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
76%Possible
John Doe — Calexico, California - unidentified case UP15327
John Doe — Calexico, California
UP15327 • Found Jun 9, 1994
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 47%278 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 68%5'8" vs 5'11"
Weight 70%135 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
Physical features: Tattoo: skull, arm
76%Possible
John Doe — Needles, California
UP1010 • Found Jul 23, 2004
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Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 60%175 mi away, same state
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 68%5'8" vs 5'11"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Physical features: Tattoo: skull, flower, arm
76%Possible
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona - unidentified case UP1971
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona
UP1971 • Found Apr 7, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 40%349 mi away
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 68%5'8" vs 5'11"
Weight 98%160 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
Physical features: Tattoo: flower, arm
76%Possible
John Doe — Barstow, California
UP2539 • Found Dec 31, 1993
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 72%113 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'11"
Weight 88%209 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — California
UP3930 • Found Dec 4, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–28 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 58%187 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
Weight 96%158 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
76%Possible
John Doe — Pasadena, California
UP3957 • Found Aug 31, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 23–29 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 59%178 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 84%6'1" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%185 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel

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.