Right 2: Age-Progression by NCMEC to age 39 years; 44 years
Right 2: Age-Progression by NCMEC to age 39 years; 44 years
Name: Nelida De Jesus Del Valle
Case Classification: Non Family Abduction
Missing Since: December 20, 1976
Location Last Seen: Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Date of Birth: July 9, 1967
Age: 9 years old
Race: Hispanic
Gender: Female
Height: 4'0
Weight: 50 pounds
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown eyes
Nickname/Alias: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown
Dentals: Unknown
Fingerprints: Unknown
DNA: Unknown
Clothing: She was last seen wearing a gold coat, dark blue slacks, black platform shoes and a white pullover sweater.
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown
Nelida was last seen as she walked the block and a half from her home to Blackstone Elementary School on Shawmut Avenue. She has never been seen again. Nelida is described as quiet, shy and distrustful of strangers. Abduction is the most likely scenario explaining her disappearance, but there are few clues.
Several days after Nelida's disappearance, a woman reported to police that an acquaintance had given her a hat and gloves for her daughter. The hat and gloves were confirmed to be the same hat and gloves that Nelida was wearing at the time of her disappearance. Police picked up the acquaintance. Found in his possession were a gun and a fake police badge. There was not enough evidence to link him to the abduction of Nelida. He was given a one-year sentence for illegal possession of a weapon. He was later convicted and is serving a life sentence for the abduction, rape and murder of a woman and her daughter in New York. He continues to deny his involvement in Nelida's disappearance.
Nelida's sister suspects that the suspect had posed as a police officer in order to lure her sister, who had been taught to respect and trust the police.
Agency Name: Boston Police Department
Agency Contact Person: Homicide Unit - Cold Case Squad
Agency Phone Number: 617-343-4470
Agency E-Mail: unsolvedhomicides.bpd@cityofboston.gov
Agency Case Number: 040507468
NCIC Case Number: M-340464323
NamUs Case Number: 6007
NCMEC Case Number: 600988
Added: Prior to 2011; Last Updated: 11/21/23 - By: hb
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information is from the time of disappearance.
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