Left: Barela, circa 1986;
Right: Age-progression to age 39 (circa 2010)
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: November 2, 1986 from San Francisco, California Classification: Endangered Missing Date Of Birth: October 9, 1971 Age: 15 years old Height and Weight: 5'11, 145 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Hispanic male. Brown hair, brown eyes. Clothing/Jewelry Description: Swimming trunks and cut-off gray Nike sweatpants.
Details of Disappearance
Barela was last seen at Ocean Beach near San Francisco, California on November 2, 1986. He left his parents on the south end of the beach at 2:30 p.m. to take his dog for a walk, and never returned. On the day Barela vanished, the Vuarnet Pro-Am surfing tournament was being held at Ocean Beach.Barela has a history of running away from home, but police believe he disappeared in 1986 under suspicious circumstances and not voluntarily. It is also possible that he drowned, but few clues are available in his case, which remains unsolved.
Investigating Agency
Source Information
Updated 2 times since October 12, 2004.
Last updated December 19, 2011; age-progression added.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
San Francisco Police Department
415-553-1321
California Attorney General's Office
NewsLibrary