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Joel Contreras Missing Person Case

Last seen in San Diego, California on May 1, 2000

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Victim Details

Jun 10, 2015

Feb 8, 2018

Joel

Contreras

40

14

67 inches

140 lbs

Hispanic / Latino

Male

May 1, 2000

San Diego

California

San Diego County

29896

San Diego County Sheriff's Office

San Diego

California

,

14158632

San Diego County Sheriff's Office

Black

Brown

Brown

Oct 9, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP29012) and 4 other sources
Joel Joseph Contreras, a 14-year-old boy, went missing from San Diego, California, on May 1, 2000. He was last seen in the local area, and authorities believe he may have left voluntarily. It is suspected that Joel might have traveled to Mexico, but no concrete evidence has surfaced regarding his whereabouts since that day.

At the time of his disappearance, Joel was described as 5'7" tall, weighing 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Despite extensive efforts to locate him, little information has been uncovered about his case over the years. Authorities continue to investigate his disappearance, with his case classified as an endangered runaway.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. Age-progressed images have been released to assist in the search for Joel, reflecting how he might look now as an adult.
Last Seen: May 1, 2000

Links to Additional Sources (4)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Joel Joseph Contreras - The Charley Project
  • Joel Contreras- California- 2000
  • Joel Contreras | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Have you seen this child? Joel Joseph Contreras - Pinterest

    • 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 — San Diego, California - unidentified case UP54015
    John Doe — San Diego, California
    UP54015 • Found Mar 10, 2015
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 14 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 99%14 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 15 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6"–5'9" vs 5'7"
    Weight 91%160–170 lb vs 140 lb
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Jurupa Valley, California - unidentified case UP118442
    John Doe — Jurupa Valley, California
    UP118442 • Found Jun 30, 2022
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 14 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 78%90 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 22 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'4"–5'6" vs 5'7"
    Weight 100%135 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Dulzura, California
    UP55391 • Found Mar 10, 2008
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 14 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 96%26 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'4"–5'8" vs 5'7"
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Lake Elsinore, California - unidentified case UP112534
    John Doe — Lake Elsinore, California
    UP112534 • Found Sep 9, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 14 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 84%66 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'4" vs 5'7"
    Weight 100%127 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP12158
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP12158 • Found Jan 7, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 14–18 vs 14 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 73%111 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–5'11" vs 5'7"
    Weight 100%150–175 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Compton, California
    UP10299 • Found Dec 26, 2011
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–28 vs 14 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 75%102 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'7"
    Weight 87%163 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — San Diego, California
    UP2660 • Found Oct 19, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 59%Est. 25–35 vs 14 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 100%2 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
    Weight 100%141 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — San Diego, California
    UP2675 • Found Aug 24, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 14 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 98%17 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'5" vs 5'7"
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Riverside, California
    UP160854 • Found May 27, 2025
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 14 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 80%82 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 25 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
    Weight 100%135 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Dulzura, California - unidentified case UP130453
    John Doe — Dulzura, California
    UP130453 • Found Sep 12, 2024
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 87%Est. 40–50 vs 14 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 97%23 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 24 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"
    Weight 94%122 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black

    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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Joel Joseph Contreras was 14 when he disappeared from San Diego, California, on May 1, 2000. He was... ...Read More
    09/04/2024

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