Ruben Humberto Herrera was 14 when he disappeared from El Paso, Texas, on April 27, 1983. He left home that morning to walk to Eastwood Heights Elementary School and never arrived. A ransom call to Ruben’s maternal uncle demanded $300,000 and used personal nicknames, suggesting the caller knew the family; a drop-off was arranged but no contact occurred.

Investigation produced an arrest: Raymond Henry Acosta, the stepfather’s brother, was caught making calls tied to the ransom and had written instructions about where to leave money. Acosta told investigators Ruben was already dead and was later convicted of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, but he never disclosed Ruben’s location or produced a body. Authorities believe Ruben may have been taken to Mexico in a silver and green Cadillac that was later recovered. In 2013 a man claiming to be Ruben contacted a South American organization about immigration status, but that claim has not been confirmed.

Ruben’s whereabouts remain unknown and foul play is strongly suspected. If anyone has information about Ruben, his movements on April 27, 1983, or the Cadillac mentioned, please come forward.