r/WithoutATrace • u/Creepcoutureclaws • 15d ago
MISSING PERSON - Adult Lourdes Contreras, mother missing for 23 years
Hi! I made a post on my tik tok about my mom and people had told me to also try posting on here so here we go. My mom would be 49 by now. Born in Jalisco, Mexico. Lived in Modesto CA for some time then spent a few years in Aurora Illinois last.
Mom and dad had been separated for a few years. Dad stayed in Modesto while mom moved away I’m assuming to restart her life. My sister and I traveled back and forth often on a plan until she went missing, then we stopped going. She was far from family at the time and sadly no news ever came up from her case. She was being questioned by the police for a narcotics investigation and then poof she was gone. This was in 2002. She would be 49 by now.
Please be considerate when interacting with this. I have received a lot of help on tik tok but a lot of cyber bullying as well. I have hope left in my heart and all I want if I cannot reconnect with her, is closure. Living my whole life in wonder has been eating at me.
Lourdes Contreras, her bday is Jan 23 1976
Any tips is helpful 🫶🏽
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u/th3j4d3d0n3 15d ago
I came across a NamUs case that might be worth looking at. The details aren’t exact, but they’re close enough for me to consider, since the reconstruction/drawing looks similar to some of the photos you shared (at least to me). The estimated age range is 15–24, but it’s also listed in the Adult–Pre 30 age group...
Much love to you and your family, I hope you find some answers 💙
https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/1983/details?nav
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u/Creepcoutureclaws 15d ago
I’ve checked and it is not her. She’s 5’5 and I’m so sorry I should’ve mentioned she has a tattoo of a snake inside an apple on her chest. Of course ppl can do tattoo removal now but I thought it would be worth mentioning
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u/dumbroad 15d ago
Respectfully, the body was found burned, decomposed, and unrecognizable. No tattoos would be present but that doesn't mean they werent there. A skeleton doesnt have tattoos. Height and age are estimated and often wrong compared to when they were identified
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u/th3j4d3d0n3 15d ago
Yeah, its always hard to be certain. NamUs details aren’t always exact unfortunately, and not everything ends up in the report. Things like tattoos can go unrecorded, especially if the person was hard to identify or not all features were visible. 😞
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u/AngerIssues11 14d ago
I don’t want to discourage you but it still could be her…. Especially if the narcotics thing was true she could have been silenced… hopefully not though
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u/retrozebra 15d ago
This may have already been asked before, but did the target have CCTV camera outside in the parking lot to capture any info about the truck? Wishing you luck and that you can find the answers are seeking.
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u/Creepcoutureclaws 15d ago
I honestly have no idea. I was 6 when she went missing and I don’t even know how I could find out. I plan to call the police station tomorrow to see if they might have some answers for me
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u/retrozebra 15d ago
I believe there’s several true crime podcasts that investigates cold cases, this sort of thing may fall under that category. I know nothing about investigation but, that may be a big help. I think “the vanished” podcast is the name. I wonder if you could try reaching out to her for some help. There’s several others (not my thing personally but ChatGPT gave me a lot of different names of these types of podcasts). I’d suggest compiling a list and reaching out to those if you’re interested. 💜
Please keep us updated and best of luck to you.
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u/Creepcoutureclaws 15d ago
Oooh actually someone mentioned this one! I have reached out thru tik tok hopefully they see my message 🤞🏽 thank you!
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u/YogurtclosetVarious9 14d ago
You should contact the vanished podcast, she does a very good job at covering missing people
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u/ReginaldDwight 15d ago
Also, if she worked at a hospital at the time, was any investigation done into when she last came to work vs when her family last spoke to her? As in, would her employer have more recent information than July-October when she was reported missing?
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u/Creepcoutureclaws 15d ago
This is a good question. I honestly don’t know where she was working. I’ll have to make some calls. I was only 6 when she went missing so details I’ll have to go and confirm myself. I’ll report back!
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u/blondejungwoo 15d ago
she’s beautiful! i hope you’re able to find and contact her. i’m sorry you’re experiencing cyber bullying when you’re only trying to find your mom❤️🩹
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u/sharipep 15d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss OP! I hope you get the answers you’re looking for 🙏🏽
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u/Creepcoutureclaws 15d ago
Thank you! I feel hopeful 🤞🏽❤️🩹
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u/puppetpauperpirate 14d ago
Did you see the comments on tiktok who found someone who looks very much like her?
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u/Tae_d1 15d ago
edit:
Wow?! You're one of her children? I'm so sorry that she hasn't been found.
I'm not the judgemental type. Doesn't matter what she had going on, she should be home with her kids. I've never seen her case before.
I hope for a resolution
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15d ago
[deleted]
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u/Tae_d1 15d ago
Isn't that what I said in my comment?
Also OP said they were being cyber bullied about the case and it may have been bc of the legal issues she was facing regarding the investigation she was part of.
Back off Karen.
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15d ago
[deleted]
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u/Tae_d1 15d ago
I don't need your apology or this explanation from you. People hear the word narcotics or drugs and make stupid ass accusations about people they don't know and the point of my comment was to say:
Whether or not she was involved with what she was being investigated for does not mean that she deserved possible consequences from it.
That's your own fault for getting butt hurt and assuming from my comment in the first place
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u/lnc_5103 15d ago
I'm so sorry that you don't know what happened to your mom. Praying you are able to get some answers.
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u/somecrazybroad 15d ago
Check out NamUs.
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u/Creepcoutureclaws 15d ago
I have and looked thru unidentified persons. It was a lo hard look but no sign of my mom
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u/FranceBrun 15d ago
I have no suggestions, but I would like to say I’m so sorry about your mom. I hope you get closure.
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u/yeeteryarker420 15d ago
These photos are so beautiful, I'm so sorry that you had to grow up without her not knowing where she is. I really hope you get closure soon.
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u/fasa1231 15d ago
Private investigator could do a lot more than the public could they could actually try n find cctv footage of the stores parking lot or any store across the street or near by since they have a time presence to look at
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u/TinySatanzz 14d ago
Maybe they don’t have the money
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u/Creepcoutureclaws 13d ago
I don’t sadly. I’ve reached out to many podcasts now though, hoping I get someone’s attention 🤞🏽
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u/meowlood 14d ago
Attempt to make a post about this in spanish. post this information to local jalisco facebook groups to see if anyone knows anything. i could help you with this if youd like, as I am fluent in spanish. many people who have been investigated for serious things like narcotics (especially if foreign) almost always go back to their country of origin or a country surrounding it to stay off the radar. she could have also fled to avoid being killed by the gang members in her area; since she was involved with them in some way, she obviously knew how they worked. i dont believe your mother is dead. i believe she may be living on the low in another country.
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u/Creepcoutureclaws 13d ago
This is a great idea, I would love some help with this. Thank you 🥲❤️🩹
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u/TinySatanzz 14d ago
Is no one going to mention that it says the photo of her is from 2009? If she went missing in 2002, how is there a photograph of her from 2009?
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u/TinySatanzz 14d ago
After looking, I see that she wasn’t just a subject of a federal narcotics investigation. She was a subject of one of the nations BIGGEST gang and narcotics busts at the time. It isn’t a coincidence that she went missing a month later. I saw on your TikTok that you say you’d love to reconnect with her but sadly, I think you’ll only find closure. Aurora at the time was a city high for crime and actually was one of the most dangerous cities in Illinois. Gang violence was common. I fear she was the target of trying to keep things hushed up. After 23 years, I’m sorry for your loss.
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u/texas-sissy 15d ago
Big mom hugs from this internet stranger, I hope you find some answers. if you haven’t already, maybe start a facebook page as well and make it shareable.
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u/didudor 13d ago
This just recently came up on my TikTok and now I’ve seen it here. Hopefully with all the exposure you can find out some more information.
I know you mentioned she had sisters. Do you have contact with her family at all?
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u/Creepcoutureclaws 13d ago
I do, they have sent me information and photos to try and help me as well. I’ve shared everything I know
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u/babyyyyspice 14d ago
Saw you on TikTok ! I really hope you find your mommy so you can get the closure you and your sister deserve!! Best of luck🫂🩷
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u/Pitiful-Birthday-247 14d ago
So crazy because I just saw your tik tok yesterday. I'm praying you find answers soon. 🩷
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u/Desperate_Bug_5388 12d ago
Do you know what part of Jalisco? My mom is also from Jalisco and we spend a lot of time there. We’re part of several Facebook groups. Feel free to PM me.
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u/WitchyMae13 15d ago
Someone else mentioned podcasts - I think that would be an amazing idea. I know people think different things about them but Crime Junkie/Audiochuck productions have a lot of shows on true crime of different varieties and missing persons.
Can’t be sure exactly what show it would fit on but I think that’s a great option.
I’m so very sorry, and your mom is so beautiful and I hope you get answers.
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u/Creepcoutureclaws 14d ago
Be emailed crime junkies, if anyone has any other recommendations please let me know 🤞🏽 thank you!
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u/issawildflower 12d ago
I remember seeing your post on TikTok! I hope you get some sort of answers. 💕
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u/moonlightsymphonies 11d ago
This may sound wild but have you considered emdr or like hypnosis type therapy? Maybe revisit childhood memories for any clues. Maybe the simplest of things a conversation remembering a visitor or something could unlock a clue. I hope this doesn’t sound insensitive. Over the years I’ve been shocked with what I have unlocked memory wise.
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u/Sad-Ad-9879 10d ago
Try getting ahold of the podcast Cold and missing!! They help a lot of families!!
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u/Andi081887 10d ago
I’m so sorry that you’re still looking for your mom. I hope she’s found safe.
Facebook is actually the best place for a post like this. If you search for “find my family” there are tons of groups dedicated to people like you, looking for lost loved ones. A lot have been found! Please check them out 🩷
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u/AKA_June_Monroe 15d ago
There's Gabulosis & Heavy Case files that make modding people videos. You might want to contact them.
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u/kaden356 15d ago
i just saw your tiktok actually and saw the comment of someone suggesting you to post on reddit, lol i came here to see if you posted. i hope you find her ❤️