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 (MP6096) and 9 other sources
Angelica Maria Gandara, an 11-year-old girl from Temple, Texas, was last seen on July 14, 1985. She disappeared while walking home from her grandmother’s house, a short distance from her own home. Witnesses reported seeing Angelica in a 1977 Chevrolet pickup truck, accompanied by an unidentified Caucasian male and female. The truck was described as being in disrepair with distinctive red, white, and blue paint. Angelica was never seen again, and despite extensive searches by her family and authorities, her whereabouts remain unknown.

Prior to her disappearance, Angelica had an unsettling encounter the day before when a driver in a blue car attempted to give her a ride, though she refused and continued walking. This incident was not reported to her family at the time. Following her disappearance, there were unconfirmed reports of a girl resembling Angelica being seen in a San Antonio convenience store, about 150 miles away, further complicating the case.

Over the years, two men have been identified as potential suspects. David Elliot Penton, a convicted child murderer, and Ramiro Rubi Ibarra, a convicted rapist and murderer, have both been linked to the case, but no concrete evidence has been found to directly tie them to Angelica’s disappearance. Despite advances in forensic technology, Angelica’s case remains unsolved, and her family continues to search for answers, holding out hope for closure after nearly four decades. Foul play is strongly suspected in her disappearance.

Last Seen: Jul 14, 1985

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

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.

75%Possible
Jane Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP2191
Jane Doe — Houston, Texas
UP2191 • Found Dec 15, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 17–25 vs 11 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 64%154 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%4'9" vs 4'10"
Weight 58%110 lb vs 85 lb
Eyes 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.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.