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Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP158947)
In the summer of 1991, a 35-year-old man named Juan Deza vanished from Ventura, California, leaving behind a perplexing case that has spanned decades. On July 29, 1991, Deza was last seen by his roommate in their Ventura residence. He was reportedly on his way to Napa for a significant court appearance concerning a child custody hearing. However, Deza never arrived at the Napa courthouse, and what should have been a straightforward trip became the starting point of an enduring mystery. His failure to appear for such a crucial event raised immediate concerns and questions among those who knew him.

The circumstances surrounding Juan Deza's disappearance are sparse and have left investigators with more questions than answers. At the time he went missing, he was described as a 35-year-old Hispanic male, standing at 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 145 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. The central question that has plagued this case from the beginning is whether Deza chose to disappear to avoid the custody hearing or if he met with foul play during his journey from Ventura to Napa. The lack of any communication or evidence of his whereabouts after leaving his roommate's sight has made it incredibly difficult to determine the course of events on that fateful day.

Over the years, the investigation into Juan Deza's disappearance has remained open, yet the trail has grown cold. The Ventura Police Department has been the primary agency handling the case, but despite their efforts, no significant leads have emerged to shed light on his fate. The lack of witnesses, physical evidence, or any clear motive has created a challenging puzzle for law enforcement. The overview of this case is one of an abrupt and unexplained disappearance, a man who was present one moment and gone the next, with the pivotal detail being a missed court date that could be interpreted in multiple ways, leaving his family and investigators in a prolonged state of uncertainty.

Last Seen: Jul 29, 1991

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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.

83%Moderate
John Doe — Lynwood, California
UP3502 • Found Jul 27, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 33–43 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 84%67 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%132 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP3551
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP3551 • Found Feb 4, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 86%62 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%156 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Hollywood, California - unidentified case UP3736
John Doe — Hollywood, California
UP3736 • Found May 15, 1993
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 87%57 mi away, same state
TimingFound 22 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%155 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 90%Black vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Van Nuys, California - unidentified case UP3052
John Doe — Van Nuys, California
UP3052 • Found Nov 4, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 89%50 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%131 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Pacoima, California
UP3436 • Found Oct 15, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 94%Est. 42–52 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 89%50 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 90%167 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Malibu, California
UP3559 • Found Dec 29, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 17–34 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%38 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"
Weight 97%128 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP3667 • Found Sep 15, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 86%62 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%148 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Canoga Park, California - unidentified case UP10664
John Doe — Canoga Park, California
UP10664 • Found Jan 14, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 92%40 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 68%5'0"–5'4" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%115–135 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Hollywood, California - unidentified case UP3843
John Doe — Hollywood, California
UP3843 • Found Aug 3, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 35
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 88%54 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 days after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"
Weight 79%175 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP53058 • Found Oct 3, 1993
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 69%130 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"
Weight 92%165 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
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.