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 (MP13520) and 6 other sources
Maria De Lourdes Pahl, a 35-year-old mother of six, was last seen on August 1, 1980, in Vinton, Texas, a small town near El Paso. That day, she had an argument with her husband and left her home, stating that she was going to take a bus to Anthony, New Mexico, to buy groceries. She never returned. At the time, Maria did not have a driver's license, and her eldest daughter, who was away, returned home to care for her younger siblings, one of whom was less than a year old.

Maria's disappearance remained largely uninvestigated for many years, and no significant leads were found immediately after she went missing. It wasn't until 2000 that her case was reopened, but no evidence of foul play was uncovered during investigations, including an excavation of her former home. Described as a devoted mother, Maria was not believed to have willingly abandoned her children, and the lack of information surrounding her disappearance has left her case unsolved to this day.

Authorities continue to seek any information regarding Maria's whereabouts, and her case is considered an endangered missing person case. Despite the decades that have passed, her family still hopes for answers.

Last Seen: Aug 1, 1980

Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

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.

82%Moderate
Jane Doe — Texas
UP3790 • Found Feb 26, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%17 mi away, same county
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1" vs 4'1"–5'0"
Weight 100%112 lb vs 100–140 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — Santa Teresa, New Mexico
UP133008 • Found Jun 22, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 23–36 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%11 mi away
TimingFound 43 years after last seen
Height 75%4'5"–5'0" vs 4'1"–5'0"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown

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.