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
📞
contact
Lead #1What happened to Walter between late December 2025 and February 2026 when he was reported missing?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2Who stole Walter's money in late December 2025, and could this incident be related to his disappearance?
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witness
Lead #3Are there other homeless individuals or service providers in the Santa Cruz area who may have seen Walter after 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 when he mentioned that money had been stolen from him but that he intended to recover it; contact was then lost due to a changed phone number. The circumstances of his disappearance remain unclear, and investigators are seeking information about his whereabouts and what may have happened to him since his last confirmed sighting.
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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 #4Has Walter been spotted in other areas of Santa Cruz or nearby communities since September 2025?
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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
Last known phone contact
Walter spoke with family in late December 2025, stating that some of his money had recently been stolen and that he intended to get it back. Contact was lost after this conversation due to a lost phone and changing numbers.
🕵️
2026-02-11
Reported missing
Walter Tinsley was reported missing by family on February 11, 2026, approximately 2.5 months after last known contact.
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