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 (MP9080) and 3 other sources
Modesto Robles Jr., a 43-year-old man from Matagorda, Texas, went missing on September 8, 2000, during a deep-sea fishing trip with two friends, Hilario "Larry" Cardenas and Daniel Gonzales. The trio set out on a 25-foot white Wellcraft boat, equipped with twin 115-horsepower Yamaha outboard engines, from Matagorda Bay. However, they never returned from their trip, and their boat has never been found.

A large-scale search effort was launched by the U.S. Coast Guard, covering over 35,000 square miles, but it yielded minimal results. Only two coolers, one tied to a shoe, were found floating in the water. Ten days after their disappearance, severed leg bones were discovered on Mustang Island, and a few days later, additional skeletal remains were found on Padre Island. DNA testing confirmed the remains belonged to Cardenas and Gonzales, but no trace of Robles or the boat was ever found. The cause of the men's deaths remains undetermined, and Robles continues to be listed as missing.

Despite extensive searches and the recovery of some remains, the mystery surrounding what happened to Robles and the group persists, with no conclusive answers available about their fate. His case remains open, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.

Last Seen: Sep 8, 2000

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.

82%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP599
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP599 • Found Nov 5, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–45 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 80%82 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%202 lb vs 200 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Galveston, Texas
UP3256 • Found Oct 7, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 43–63 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 80%82 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 70%250 lb vs 200 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP7699
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP7699 • Found Jul 17, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 79%84 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 68%5'8" vs 5'11"
Weight 90%230 lb vs 200 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP1842 • Found Nov 23, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 80%82 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
75%Possible
John Doe — Surfside Beach, Texas
UP52406 • Found Jan 9, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%45 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 52%5'0"–5'7" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%130–200 lb vs 200 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Laredo, Texas
UP5048 • Found Sep 25, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 53%224 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%180 lb vs 200 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Texas
UP3287 • Found Oct 5, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 91%Est. 37–42 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 54%207 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 92%172 lb vs 200 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP136464
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP136464 • Found Jan 6, 2025
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 83%74 mi away, same state
TimingFound 24 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 71%249 lb vs 200 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Blue 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.

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