The person at the center of this case
Walter Louis Tinsley
Missing Person · Open
1 year waiting · since 2025
Missing Person: Walter Louis Tinsley
Justice for Walter Louis Tinsley — the trail went cold in 2025, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
💡
clue
Lead #1What happened to the money Walter mentioned was stolen in late December 2025, and did this incident relate to his disappearance?
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witness
Lead #2Did anyone in the Santa Cruz homeless community or Ocean Street area see Walter after September 2025?
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contact
Lead #3What was Walter's phone number or carrier information before he lost contact, and can records help locate his last known cell tower pings?
Walter Louis Tinsley, a 61-year-old Black male, was reported missing on February 11, 2026, after last being seen in September 2025 in Santa Cruz, California, where he was experiencing homelessness. His last known contact with family occurred in late December 2025, during which he mentioned money had been stolen but he intended to recover it before losing touch due to a changed phone number. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is investigating, and his current whereabouts remain unknown despite the months elapsed since last contact.
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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.
📍
location
Lead #4Where might Walter have relocated if he left the Santa Cruz tent community, and did he have connections to Chicago or other areas?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP156393. Missing person: Walter Louis Tinsley.
Last known contact: 2025-09-30 in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA. Circumstances: Walter Tinsley was reported missing by family on 02/11/2026.
He is known to be experiencing homelessness and living in a tent in the Santa Cruz, California area, having previously relocated from Chicago. The last known phone contact with family occurred approximately late December 2025.
During that conversation, Walter stated that some of his money had recently been stolen, but he intended to get it back. Family lost contact shortly after this conversation due to a lost phone and changing numbers.
Walter's last known physical location was in the 500 block of Ocean Street in Santa Cruz in September 2025. Demographics: 61 years, Male, Black / African American.
Physical description: 6 ft 0 in, 250 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown. Investigating agency: Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office | 2601009 | 2026-02-11.
Timeline of Events
👁️
2025-09-30
Last Known Physical Location
Walter Tinsley was last physically seen in the 500 block of Ocean Street in Santa Cruz, California.
📞
2025-12-31
late DecemberLast Known Phone Contact
Walter spoke with family and mentioned that some of his money had recently been stolen but that he intended to get it back. Family lost contact shortly after due to lost phone and changing numbers.
👤
2026-02-11
Reported Missing
Walter Louis Tinsley was reported missing by family to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:September 30, 2025
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
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Phone: 8314711121
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Case Information
Incident:September 30, 2025
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 8314711121
You can remain anonymous