(FIRST) USBP apprehension photo (Dated 01 June 2010)
(SECOND) USBP apprehension photo (Dated 23 July 2000)
(THIRD) USBP apprehension photo (Undated)
Items discovered (“Dallas Cowboys” hat, light blue boxer shorts with white stripes, brown belt with large silver buckle, and hiking boots)
Ajo John Doe/”Armando Lopez-Rivera” (July 15, 2012)
- DATE OF DISCOVERY: July 15th, 2012
- LOCATION OF DISCOVERY: Ajo, Pima County, Arizona, 85321, USA (32°24’10.6″N 112°50’36.2″W (32.402930, -112.843380))
- ESTIMATED YEAR OF DEATH: 2012
- POSTMORTEM INTERVAL: Weeks
- CONDITION OF REMAINS: Not recognizable – Mummified
- CAUSE OF DEATH: Probable hyperthermia (exposure)
- SEX: Male
- ESTIMATED AGE: 30 – 55 years old (Humane Borders notes “49”)
- RACE: Hispanic
- WEIGHT (ESTIMATED): 150 pounds (68.0389 kg)
- HEIGHT (MEASURED): 5’4” (64 inches; 162.56 cm)
- EYE COLOUR: Brown
- HAIR: Black with some gray
- DISTINGUISHING MARKS/FEATURES: None noted
BACKGROUND
On July 15th, 2012, mummified remains were discovered in a remote desert area near Ajo, Arizona. The individual is believed to have been a Hispanic male between 30 to 55 years of age (as per NamUs; Humane Borders notes his age as “49”. I am unsure where this was obtained, it may have been from one of the times he was apprehended by the USBP.) He weighed approximately 150 pounds (68.0389 kg) and stood at 5’4” (64 inches; 162.56 cm) in height. He had brown eyes and his hair was black with some gray in it.
The man’s fingerprints were run and matched to US Border Patrol (USBP) records for “…including multiple arrests and under several names, including Armando Lopez-Rivera. None of the names are verified.” (NamUs) NamUs notes that he was arrested under “several names” but only notes the one.
As per NamUs, the man had been released from a US prison in May of 2012 and was subsequently deported to Mexico on June 17th, 2012. His remains were discovered 28 days after this deportation.
He was found wearing dark jeans, a brown belt with a large silver buckle, gray socks, and brown shoes (they definitely look to be hiking boots and do not look brown to me or at least are not fully brown). Discovered near his body was a tan or white t-shirt, light blue boxer shorts with white stripes, a Dallas Cowboys hat (dark coloured, likely dark blue, with a white star), toiletries (no further information or description on this), and a tan rope.
There are three photos of him alive from previous apprehensions by the USBP. One from July 23rd, 2000, one from June 1st, 2010, and an undated one. I will include those photos, of course.
He likely attempted to cross the border again and sadly succumbed to the elements. This was likely not long after being deported in June as he is believed to have been deceased “weeks” (as per NamUs), possibly 3 weeks or less (as per Humane Borders) and he was discovered 4 weeks after being deported in June.
CLOTHING/ITEMS – On the body, the following was noted
- Dark jeans (No brand or size noted)
- Brown belt with large silver buckle (No brand or size noted)
- Gray socks (No brand or size noted)
- Brown shoes (No brand or size noted) (From the photos they appear to be hiking boots and do not look brown to me or at least are not fully brown)
Near the body, the following was noted
- Tan or white t-shirt (No brand or size noted)
- Light blue with white stripes boxer shorts (No brand or size noted)
- “Dallas Cowboys” hat (Dark coloured; possibly dark blue, with a white star)
- Tan rope
- Toiletries (No further information/description provided)
IDENTIFIERS
- Dentals: Unknown
- Fingerprints: Unknown
- DNA: Unknown
INVESTIGATING AGENCY & OTHER CASE INFORMATION
AGENCY ONE
- Agency Name: Pima County Sheriff’s Office
- Agency Phone Number: 520-803-3280
- Agency Case Number: 12 07 15 059
AGENCY TWO
- Agency Name: Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office
- Agency Contact Person: Bruce Anderson (Forensic Anthropologist)
- Agency Phone Number: 520-724-8600
- Agency Case Number: ML 12-01693
OTHER INFORMATION/CASE NUMBERS
- NamUs Case Number: #UP12917
- DoeNetwork Case Number: 4865UMAZ
REFERENCES
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