The person at the center of this case
Walter Louis Tinsley
Missing Person · Open
333 days waiting
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 specific incident or person was Walter referring to when he mentioned stolen money in late December 2025?
👁️
witness
Lead #2Has anyone in the Santa Cruz homeless community seen Walter since September 2025 or recall interactions with him?
⏰
timeline
Lead #3Why was there a gap of approximately three months between his last known physical sighting (September 2025) and his last phone contact (late December 2025)?
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 that money had been stolen from him but that he intended to recover it; family subsequently lost contact due to a lost phone and changing numbers. The circumstances of his disappearance remain unclear, and investigators are seeking information about his whereabouts and activities following that final phone conversation.
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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.
📞
contact
Lead #4Can family members or investigators locate the phone number or records from the late December 2025 call to establish more precise timing and details?
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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 known to be in the 500 block of Ocean Street in Santa Cruz, California.
📞
2025-12-31
Last known phone contact
Walter spoke with family in late December 2025, stating that some of his money had been stolen but that he intended to get it back. Family subsequently lost contact due to a lost phone and changing numbers.
🕵️
2026-02-11
Missing person report filed
Walter Tinsley was reported missing by family on February 11, 2026.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:September 30, 2025
Last Updated:August 29, 2026
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Phone: 8314711121
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Case Information
Incident:September 30, 2025
Last Updated:August 29, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 8314711121
You can remain anonymous