Case History
Investigators believe the victim was a guide who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border near Lukeville on May 19, 2001, with a group of 25 Mexican men.
After walking more than 30 miles over four days, John Doe succumbed to the triple-digit heat. He succumbed to desert elements around May 23, 2001.

Others with him who survived said they never knew his last name and were no help in dentifying him. One guide who set out with the group, a man named "Santos," turned back toward Mexico after two days, leading two crossers safely back. Authorities are looking for Santos as a possible means to identify Lauro.
What appears to be a gap in the front teeth shown in the reconstruction is actually a missing left front tooth. It was lost postmortem.
The medical examiners office charted dentals, sent fingerprints to the FBI and Border Patrol and took x-rays and bone samples for DNA. Those samples have all been saved hoping for future identification.

Investigators
If you have any information about this case please contact:
Pima County Forensic Center
Dr. Bruce Anderson
928-336-7019
You may remain anonymous when submitting information.

Agency Case Number:
ML01-3013

Source Information:
Tucson Citizen
NamUs