The person at the center of this case
Jose Audel Medina
Missing Person · Open
16 years waiting · since 2010
Missing Person: Jose Audel Medina
Justice for Jose Audel Medina — the trail went cold in 2010, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1What happened to the smuggler who was paid to bring Jose back to the US? Could he provide information about Jose's whereabouts or fate?
👁️
witness
Lead #2Did immigration officials document details about Jose's condition, demeanor, or statements during the September 23, 2010 interview that might indicate foul play?
💡
clue
Lead #3Jose's family in Mexico have not seen him since 2010—could he be detained in a Mexican facility, or did something happen to him during the smuggling attempt?
Jose Audel Medina, a 22-year-old Mexican national, went missing in September 2010 after being detained and returned to Mexico by immigration authorities in Calexico, California. His family paid a smuggler to bring him back to the United States, but lost contact with both Jose and the smuggler after being told Jose had been caught by immigration. Despite searches by family in Mexico and investigations by U.S. authorities, Jose has not been located or heard from in over 15 years, leaving his fate unknown.
Case
#4078
Riverside County Sheriff's Department - Perris Station
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
⏰
timeline
Lead #4What is the exact timeline between Jose's detention in Calexico and when the smuggler contacted his father? Did Jose actually make it back to Mexico?
🔍
evidence
Lead #5Are there any immigration records, detention logs, or cross-border documentation from September 2010 that confirm Jose's return to Mexico or his subsequent movements?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP110096. Missing person: Jose Audel Medina.
Last known contact: 2010-09-23 in Calexico, Imperial, CA. Circumstances: Jose was released from Dalano Prison in February 2010.
He was stopped in Fresno and removed and returned to Mexico. In September 2010, Jose was trying to enter the United States illegally a second time.
Jose was stopped and detained. On 09/23/10, he was interviewed and sent back to Mexico.
Jose's family has not spoken to him since then. Jose's sister advised her father had paid someone to try and bring Jose back to the US, but that subject called her father and advised him Jose was caught by immigration.
Jose's family did not have any information for the subject they paid to bring Jose to the US and they have not heard from Jose. Jose did not have a vehicle or a cellphone.
Jose used the names Jose Audel Median and Jose Audel Villacana-Medina. Jose was from Michocan, Mexico.
His family in Mexico have not seen Jose. Jose was about 22 when he was last seen.
Demographics: 22 years, Male, Hispanic / Latino. Physical description: 5 ft 7 in, 154 lbs, hair: Black, eyes: Brown.
Investigating agency: Riverside County Sheriff- Perris Station | PE233380036 | 2016-07-09.
Timeline of Events
🕵️
2010-02-01
Released from Dalano Prison
Jose Audel Medina was released from Dalano Prison in Fresno, California in February 2010.
👁️
2010-09-23
Last known contact in Calexico
Jose was interviewed by immigration authorities in Calexico after being stopped while attempting to enter the United States illegally. He was detained and returned to Mexico. This was the last confirmed contact with Jose.
📞
2010-09-23
Family contact with smuggler
A smuggler hired by Jose's family called his father to report that Jose had been caught by immigration authorities.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:February 1, 2010
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
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Phone: 9512101000
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Case Information
Incident:February 1, 2010
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9512101000
You can remain anonymous