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Gustavo Cabrera Missing Person Case

Last seen in El Cajon, California on Dec 6, 1977

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Victim Details

Jun 10, 2013

Jan 12, 2024

Gustavo

Cabrera

74

26

70 inches

170 lbs

Hispanic / Latino

Male

Dec 6, 1977

El Cajon

California

San Diego County

92020

13677

El Cajon Police Department

El Cajon

California

San Diego County

92020

100 Civic Center Way, California

6195793311

Local

Law Enforcement

https://www.cityofelcajon.us/your-government/departments/police

169875

Jun 10, 2013

El Cajon Police Department

Black

Brown

Brown

Oct 15, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP20558) and 7 other sources
Gustavo Juan Cabrera, a 26-year-old Vietnam veteran, was last seen on December 6, 1977, in El Cajon, California. Cabrera suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to his military service and possibly schizophrenia, adding complexity to his case. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a dark brown ankle-length coat. His personal belongings, including uncashed checks, were left behind in his apartment, suggesting his disappearance may have occurred under suspicious circumstances.

Cabrera, nicknamed "Gus," had a birthmark on his upper right arm and a scar on his left hand. His case remains unsolved, with few details available, and authorities continue to seek information regarding his whereabouts. The El Cajon Police Department is handling the investigation and encourages anyone with relevant information to come forward. Despite the many years that have passed, his case is still considered an open missing persons investigation.
Last Seen: Dec 6, 1977

Links to Additional Sources (7)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Gustavo Juan Cabrera | State of California - Department of Justice
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP20558
  • Gustavo Juan Cabrera - The Charley Project
  • Gustavo Juan Cabrera: Missing from El Cajon since 1977 | Missing ...
  • Pin page - Pinterest
  • TheForgottenLives (Facebook Group) | Gustavo Juan Cabrera (27 ...
  • Gustavo Juan Cabrera AKA “Gus” | Investigations | El Cajon

    • 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.

    86%Strong
    John Doe — San Diego, California - unidentified case UP65257
    John Doe — San Diego, California
    UP65257 • Found Sep 22, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 99%14 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%166 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    84%Moderate
    John Doe — San Diego, California - unidentified case UP66339
    John Doe — San Diego, California
    UP66339 • Found Sep 23, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 99%14 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%164 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    84%Moderate
    John Doe — San Diego, California - unidentified case UP97105
    John Doe — San Diego, California
    UP97105 • Found May 6, 1981
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 88%Est. 18–25 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
    Weight 95%149 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    84%Moderate
    John Doe — San Ysidro, California - unidentified case UP134557
    John Doe — San Ysidro, California
    UP134557 • Found Jun 26, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 98%18 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 99%152 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — San Ysidro, California
    UP98943 • Found Jul 19, 1980
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 98%18 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
    Weight 82%138 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — San Ysidro, California - unidentified case UP134559
    John Doe — San Ysidro, California
    UP134559 • Found Aug 13, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 98%18 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%164 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — San Ysidro, California - unidentified case UP148707
    John Doe — San Ysidro, California
    UP148707 • Found Oct 29, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 98%18 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%176 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — San Diego, California - unidentified case UP159311
    John Doe — San Diego, California
    UP159311 • Found Nov 23, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 99%13 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%171 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Coronado, California - unidentified case UP115008
    John Doe — Coronado, California
    UP115008 • Found Jul 4, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–28 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 99%14 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 19 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%169 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Imperial Beach, California
    UP65700 • Found Mar 24, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 98%17 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
    Weight 92%146 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 60%Brown 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)

    Gustavo Juan Cabrera, known as Gus, was 26 and a Vietnam veteran when he was last seen in El Cajon... ...Read More
    11/16/2024

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