Missing NPF is monitoring the status of the identity of an unidentified-male body that was found while searching for Espinosa. We will release an update once the identity has been made, and released to the public.
The search for a 20-year-old San Diego County man began after authorities became aware that he had not returned from a hike he embarked on over one week ago.
Espinosa was dropped off on May 16 when he was last seen approximately 30 miles east of Twentynine Palms on State Route 62; he was walking south into the desert (see additional image for this area).
Joseph was reportedly wearing a dark shirt with, “Matthew 4:4” on the back, black cargo pants, black shoes and a canteen. Matthew 4:4, from the King James Bible reads, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and the California Highway Patrol are also involved in the search. Anyone with information on Espinosa's whereabouts is asked to contact Detective A. Halloway of the Morongo Basin Sheriff's Station at 760-366-4175, reference Report number 092100902.
Missing NPF Stories
Connected Missing NPF News:
None connected.
Personal Characteristics
Male
20 years old
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 300 lbs.
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Race: HISPANIC OR LATINO
Investigative Overview
Foul Play Suspected: No
Suspected Suicide: Unknown / Undisclosed
Cause of Death: Undetermined / Unreleased
Significant Dates
Reported missing on May 16, 2021 - 746 days, 14 hours, 27 minutes ago
Found on May 26, 2021 - 736 days, 3 hours, 27 minutes ago
This case file was posted on
May 25, 2021 at 22:19
This case file was last modified on
May 28, 2021 at 08:17
This case file has been assigned the Missing Persons ID 4443
Disclaimer
Missing NPF Public Notice
Missing NPF lists “Foul Play Suspected,” “Suspected Suicide,” “Cause of Death,” and other elements of data in association with public reporting. These settings do not reflect the opinions of Missing NPF and/or its staff. Unless explicitly noted, Missing NPF does not publicize opinion, nor are any of the initial reports written – or edited – by members of Missing NPF. All content (with the exception of “IMPORTANT” notices, listed toward the top of applicable case files) are the works of external persons, sources and/or entities. All pictures displayed on this case file have been downloaded from the public domain, unless a user has commented or otherwise transmitted a picture to Missing NPF or its social media accounts. Case updates are derived from external persons, sources, and/or entities, and do not reflect the internal work of Missing NPF, unless expressly noted.
Judaea Rojo
July 11, 2021 at 6:37 pm5/27/21 Update: The body has been identified as Joseph Espinosa. More here: https://hidesertstar.com/news/179142/joey-espinosas-body-found-in-national-park-coroner-confirms/
Judaea Rojo
July 11, 2021 at 6:35 pm5/26/21 Update: A body was found while searching for Joseph Espinosa. More here: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/public-safety/story/2021-05-26/oceanside-man-20-missing-several-days-after-going-for-hike-near-joshua-tree