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 (MP13604) and 1 other source
Jose Herrera Avila, a 40-year-old man, was last seen on July 19, 2008, in Gainesville, Texas. On that day, he contacted his family, but after this call, he was never heard from again. The circumstances of his disappearance remain unclear, and very little information has surfaced since then. His case is classified as endangered missing.

Herrera was described as having black hair and brown eyes, standing between 5'6" and 5'7" tall, and weighing around 140 to 165 pounds at the time of his disappearance. He had several distinguishing features, including chickenpox scars on his leg, arm, and left cheek, as well as scars on his right forearm, wrist, and ankle. He may have been wearing a cream-colored shirt, light-colored pants, and black shoes, and he was possibly carrying a card with a cross and stones.

Despite efforts from local authorities, including the Gainesville Police Department, no significant leads have been uncovered. The case remains open, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the authorities.

Last Seen: Jul 19, 2008

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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Possible Unidentified Matches (8)

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 — Dallas, Texas - unidentified case UP142230
John Doe — Dallas, Texas
UP142230 • Found Sep 26, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 87%57 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 92%119 lb vs 140–165 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Mesquite, Texas - unidentified case UP155844
John Doe — Mesquite, Texas
UP155844 • Found Feb 4, 2026
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 84%67 mi away, same state
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 95%121 lb vs 140–165 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Fort Worth, Texas
UP67514 • Found Feb 8, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 140–165 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Dallas, Texas
UP95339 • Found Jun 24, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 94%Est. 55–70 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 88%55 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 100%146 lb vs 140–165 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Dallas, Texas - unidentified case UP103780
John Doe — Dallas, Texas
UP103780 • Found Jul 23, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–45 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 87%59 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 68%5'3" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 100%129 lb vs 140–165 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Dallas, Texas - unidentified case UP142645
John Doe — Dallas, Texas
UP142645 • Found Jan 6, 2025
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 92%Est. 58–72 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 88%53 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 85%113 lb vs 140–165 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Dallas, Texas - unidentified case UP61482
John Doe — Dallas, Texas
UP61482 • Found Aug 1, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–59 vs 40 when missing
Race 60%White
Location 86%62 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"–5'7"
Weight 100%152 lb vs 140–165 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Riviera, Texas
UP107062 • Found Aug 14, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 40 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 75%Same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1"–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.