Hernandez was last seen in Santa Ana, California on March 17, 2005. He left his home in the Town and Country Village mobile home park at 5th Street and Harbor Boulevard to go to a business meeting, and has never been heard from again. He was employed as a jeweler at the time of his disappearance, selling jewelry out of his blue 1993 Mazda MPV van. His last appointment was with Rebeca Diaz-Nivarez. About a week after Hernandez's disappearance, his van was found abandoned in Mission Viejo, California. There has been no activity on Hernandez's bank accounts since his disappearance, and his loved ones stated it was uncharacteristic of him to leave without warning.

In November 2007, two and a half years after Hernandez's disappearance, Rebeca was arrested and charged with his robbery and murder. Authorities believe she killed Hernandez and pawned dozens of pieces of his jewelry. Her son, Ricardo Dagoberto Diaz-Nivarez, was also charged with murder. Authorities were initially unable to locate him, but he was later arrested in his native Mexico and was extradited to California in August 2008. Photographs of Ricardo and Rebeca are posted below this case summary.

Rebeca and Ricardo are awaiting trial. Authorities stated they still hoped to find Hernandez's body. He has never been located, but foul play is suspected in his case due to the circumstances involved.

Left: Rebeca Diaz-Nivarez;
Right: Ricardo Diaz-Nivarez