Elijah “Bear” Diaz, a 20-year-old member of the Barona Band of Mission Indians, disappeared from his home on Joey Avenue in El Cajon, California, on the night of August 29, 2015. The disappearance of Elijah Bear Diaz remains open and unsolved nearly a decade later, with no suspects publicly named and a reward outstanding for information that leads to him.1Charley Project. Elijah Runningbear Diaz
What Happened on August 29, 2015
His mother, Lelanie Thompson, dropped him off at his residence around 10:00 p.m. He sent her a text at 11:19 p.m. That was the last communication anyone received from him.1Charley Project. Elijah Runningbear Diaz When Thompson came back the next afternoon around 4:00 p.m. with dinner, he was gone. She reported him missing immediately.2NBC San Diego. San Diego Man’s 2015 Disappearance Still a Mystery
El Cajon Police detectives found several items missing from Diaz’s bedroom: a 50-inch television, bedsheets and a comforter, the contents of a safe, and a red and black backpack holding roughly ten days’ worth of diabetes medication. His crutches were gone too, along with a single glove and a single sandal. He left behind things he used daily, including his black-rimmed eyeglasses, his toothbrush, and his phone charger.1Charley Project. Elijah Runningbear Diaz3NBC San Diego. Search Continues for Missing El Cajon Teen
Why the Family Calls It Suspicious
Diaz was seriously ill. He had Type 1 diabetes and was insulin-dependent, and diabetic neuropathy had left open wounds on his feet that needed daily bandaging. He weighed 110 pounds and could not walk without crutches or a wheelchair.1Charley Project. Elijah Runningbear Diaz
Trish Stockton, a private investigator hired by the family, estimated Diaz had only about a week’s worth of insulin with him. Within two weeks that supply would have run out. Stockton called the case “highly suspicious” and concluded that someone had to have picked him up.3NBC San Diego. Search Continues for Missing El Cajon Teen His grandfather, Charles “Beaver” Curo, put it more directly: “He didn’t drive away. Somebody drove him away.”4NBC San Diego. Elijah Bear Diaz San Diego Disappearance Still a Mystery
The Silence After August 30
Diaz’s cell phone was turned off on August 30, 2015, and was never turned back on.2NBC San Diego. San Diego Man’s 2015 Disappearance Still a Mystery Since that date there has been no activity on his bank account, no social media use, and no contact with friends or family. As a member of the Barona Band of Mission Indians he was entitled to tribal member checks, but he has not collected or deposited one since August 2015. He also missed a doctor’s appointment scheduled for the day after he vanished.1Charley Project. Elijah Runningbear Diaz
Where the Investigation Stands
The case belongs to the El Cajon Police Department’s Crimes of Violence Unit. Early on, the department’s public posture was cautious. In September 2015, Lt. Frank Lahaye told reporters officers were “actively investigating” but did not consider the disappearance suspicious at that time, noting that Diaz had “a history of taking off.”5NBC San Diego. Joey Avenue Search for Missing El Cajon Man Elijah Bear Diaz By January 2016 that had shifted. A press release from Detective Barber said police “do not know if Elijah Bear Diaz is voluntarily missing or if he has been a victim of foul play.”6City of San Diego. El Cajon Police Department Missing Person Release
No suspects or persons of interest have ever been publicly named. The case remains open.
The Bring Bear Home Campaign
Thompson and Curo have led a years-long effort to keep the case visible. In September 2015, family members and volunteers canvassed Joey Avenue and surrounding streets.5NBC San Diego. Joey Avenue Search for Missing El Cajon Man Elijah Bear Diaz They put up a billboard on southbound State Route 67 at Mapleview Street in Lakeside and hung a “Bring Bear Home” banner outside the residence.7NBC San Diego. Elijah Bear Diaz San Diego Disappearance Still a Mystery
Two Investigation Discovery features brought national attention to the case: an episode of Disappeared (“Every Mother’s Son,” Season 8, Episode 5, first aired April 23, 2017) and an episode of In Pursuit with John Walsh (Season 2, Episode 1, aired January 15, 2020).8Bring Bear Home. Bring Bear Home In later interviews, Curo said the family has come to believe Diaz is no longer alive and hopes to recover his remains for a proper burial.
The Reward and How to Submit Tips
In January 2020, a $10,000 reward was announced, made up of $9,000 from the Diaz family and $1,000 from San Diego County Crime Stoppers.9Fox 5 San Diego. $10K Reward Announced in Missing Person Case The family’s website now lists a $50,000 reward for information leading to Diaz.8Bring Bear Home. Bring Bear Home
- San Diego County Crime Stoppers (anonymous): 888-580-8477 or sdcrimestoppers.org
- El Cajon Police Department Crimes of Violence Unit: (619) 441-5530
- Family tip line: TIP@BringBearHome.com
Identifying Details
Elijah Bear Diaz was born August 19, 1995. He has a bear claw tattoo on his inner left forearm. He was last seen wearing a gray sleeveless shirt and white basketball shorts.10California Department of Justice. Missing Person: Elijah Diaz The El Cajon Police Department case number is 15007451.