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Ernesto Garnica missing person case profile photo

Ernesto Garnica Missing Person Case

Last seen in Brownsville, Texas on Aug 31, 2017

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Victim Details

Jun 17, 2021

Aug 10, 2021

Ernesto

Garnica

32

23

71 inches

74 inches

165 lbs

347 lbs

Hispanic / Latino

Male

Aug 31, 2017

Brownsville

Texas

Cameron County

78520

Unknown

105054

Brownsville Police Department

Brownsville

Texas

Cameron County

78520

600 East Jackson Street, Texas

9565487000

Local

Law Enforcement

https://www.brownsvillepd.com/

17090149

Aug 31, 2017

Brownsville Police Department

6476

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 4, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP81341) and 5 other sources
Ernesto Garnica, a 23-year-old man from Brownsville, Texas, was last seen on August 31, 2017, after traveling to Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico to visit family. He had crossed the border a day earlier, on August 30, after leaving his job in Los Fresnos, Texas. After August 31, Garnica's phone went straight to voicemail, and no further contact was made with him. Days later, his burned-out Jeep Liberty was discovered on the side of a highway near Rio Bravo, but a body found inside was not identified as his. His bank accounts were also emptied shortly after his disappearance.

Despite these concerning developments, Garnica’s mother remains convinced that he is still alive and continues to plea for more information on his whereabouts. His case, along with many others involving U.S. citizens missing in Mexico, highlights the challenges of cross-border disappearances and the ongoing anguish felt by their families.
Last Seen: Aug 31, 2017

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Mothers of two Americans kidnapped years ago in Mexico plea for ...">Mothers of two Americans kidnapped years ago in Mexico plea for ...
  • Ernesto Garnica Jr was last... - Texas Center for the Missing
  • Moms of missing sons demand progress after rescue in Mexico
  • Brownsville mother continues searching for son missing in Mexico ...
  • Texas Missing Persons Clearinghouse Online Bulletin - mpDetails

    • 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 — Texas
    UP52740 • Found Jan 6, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 21–33 vs 23
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 100%10 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'6"–5'10" vs 5'11"–6'2"
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — Texas - unidentified case UP53213
    John Doe — Texas
    UP53213 • Found Jan 6, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 17–29 vs 23
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 100%10 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'10" vs 5'11"–6'2"
    83%Moderate
    John Doe — Texas - unidentified case UP85860
    John Doe — Texas
    UP85860 • Found Jan 5, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–28 vs 23
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 100%10 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'9"–6'0" vs 5'11"–6'2"
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Texas - unidentified case UP79542
    John Doe — Texas
    UP79542 • Found Jan 7, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 22–33 vs 23
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 100%10 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'4"–5'9" vs 5'11"–6'2"
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Texas
    UP52708 • Found Jan 6, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 23–37 vs 23
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 100%10 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'3"–5'9" vs 5'11"–6'2"
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Texas - unidentified case UP83095
    John Doe — Texas
    UP83095 • Found Jan 9, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 22–36 vs 23
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 100%10 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 months after last seen
    Height 75%5'2"–5'9" vs 5'11"–6'2"
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Texas - unidentified case UP82769
    John Doe — Texas
    UP82769 • Found Jan 9, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 23
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 100%10 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 months after last seen
    Height 75%5'5"–6'1" vs 5'11"–6'2"
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Texas - unidentified case UP53236
    John Doe — Texas
    UP53236 • Found Jan 10, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 19–42 vs 23
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 100%10 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 months after last seen
    Height 68%5'3"–5'8" vs 5'11"–6'2"
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Mission, Texas
    UP81370 • Found May 23, 2021
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 16–29 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 91%44 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 36%5'6" vs 5'11"–6'2"
    Weight 100%167 lb vs 165–347 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Sarita, Texas
    UP101771 • Found May 24, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 20–45 vs 23
    Race 100%Hispanic
    Location 79%86 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 9 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'6"–6'0" vs 5'11"–6'2"

    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)

    Ernesto Garnica, 23, of Brownsville, Texas, was last seen August 31, 2017, after traveling to... ...Read More
    06/03/2023

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