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 (MP3925) and 3 other sources
In the spring of 1992, a sense of unease settled over a family in Phoenix, Arizona, with the disappearance of 37-year-old Israel Quintana, Sr. A Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes, Israel was last seen at his home near 14th Avenue and Van Buren Street on May 3, 1992. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as being between 5'7' and 5'8' tall and weighing between 135 and 145 pounds. He was also known to have a mustache and a full beard. His family and friends have not heard from him since that day, and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance have led investigators to suspect foul play.

Distinctive physical characteristics might have made Israel Quintana, Sr. easily recognizable. He had a noticeable bump on the top of one of his shoulders, believed to be the right one, which was the result of a previous fracture. Additionally, he had several scars, including one across his right knee, another on one of his heels, and a third on the upper bridge of his nose, situated between his eyes. These identifying marks, along with his general description, were circulated in the hopes that someone might come forward with information. The Phoenix Police Department has been handling the investigation into his disappearance.

Years have turned into decades, yet the case of Israel Quintana, Sr.'s disappearance remains unresolved, leaving his loved ones with unanswered questions. Also known by the name Israel Contreras-Quintana, his case is a somber reminder of the many individuals who vanish under troubling circumstances. The lack of significant leads over the years has been a source of ongoing pain for his family. The initial investigation noted that foul play was suspected, a detail that has cast a long shadow over the case. The official missing persons report was created years after he was last seen, on December 12, 2009. The passage of time has not diminished the hope for answers, and the case remains a poignant example of the enduring mystery and heartache that surrounds a long-term missing person investigation.

Last Seen: May 3, 1992

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 — Phoenix, Arizona - unidentified case UP1949
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona
UP1949 • Found Aug 4, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 37 when missing
Race 60%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 84%5'5" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%130 lb vs 135–145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Near Sacaton, Arizona - unidentified case UP17515
John Doe — Near Sacaton, Arizona
UP17515 • Found Aug 26, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 77%Est. 18–35 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 94%32 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 68%5'4" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%132 lb vs 135–145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona - unidentified case UP819
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona
UP819 • Found Aug 2, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 37 when missing
Race 60%White
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%155 lb vs 135–145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Apache Junction, Arizona - unidentified case UP6490
John Doe — Apache Junction, Arizona
UP6490 • Found May 2, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 26–44 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 95%30 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 79%106 lb vs 135–145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
79%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 37 when missing
Race 60%White
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 99%160 lb vs 135–145 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Casa Grande, Arizona - unidentified case UP4938
John Doe — Casa Grande, Arizona
UP4938 • Found Sep 24, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%41 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 97%119 lb vs 135–145 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP1977
John Doe — Arizona
UP1977 • Found Nov 10, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 37 when missing
Race 60%White
Location 96%23 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 84%5'5" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%123 lb vs 135–145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Laveen, Arizona
UP1930 • Found Sep 11, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 37 when missing
Race 60%White
Location 100%8 mi away, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 77%175 lb vs 135–145 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP11043
John Doe — Arizona
UP11043 • Found Jul 2, 1993
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 77%Est. 20–35 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 85%63 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 months after last seen
Height 68%5'4" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%124 lb vs 135–145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Mesa, Arizona - unidentified case UP842
John Doe — Mesa, Arizona
UP842 • Found Dec 30, 1992
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 37
Race 60%White
Location 99%14 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"–5'8"

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.