Family searches for missing Marine veteran in Santa Fe
By Alyssa Munoz
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SANTA FE, N.M. (KOAT) — Joel ‘Deano’ Valdez, a Marine veteran, has been missing for a month, prompting his family to search for answers in Santa Fe.
Valdez’s cousin, Monique Garcia, said Sept. 18 started as a normal day for him. Valdez had finished a job in Silver City and stopped in Santa Fe on his way home to Coyote, visiting an ATM and Allsup’s.
After not hearing from him the rest of that day, the family grew concerned. The next few days, charges were made on his debit card. The family said the amount used at another gas station was out of character for him and was enough to fill up a few cars.
“On the 19th is where things got suspicious with the amount of money that was charged at a gas station. Then, on the 20th, there were some abnormal charges at a local store. It kind of escalated from there where we don’t know who was using his card,” Garcia said.
Valdez, who grew up in New Mexico, served two tours in Afghanistan and is a father of three. While New Mexico State Police are investigating his disappearance, the family has conducted their own searches, hoping to bring him back to his wife and children.
“He’s an ordinary person living an ordinary life, and if this could happen to him, it could happen to anyone. He was combat trained and had situational awareness. So, for something like this to happen, it just lets us know that something sinister happened,” Garcia said.
State police have not said whether foul play is suspected in Valdez’s disappearance. Valdez was last known to be driving a white truck with New Mexico license plate 248THP. Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Mexico State Police. Those who want to assist with the search can also reach out to Garcia.
Family’s timeline of September 18: 11:45-12:15 p.m.: Valdez left Silver City.
2:30 p.m.: Valdez texted his wife saying he was on his way home.
3:30 p.m.: Valdez spoke with his cousin, confirming he was on his way home.
5:30- 5:40 p.m.: Transaction at Wells Fargo and Allsup’s on Cerillos Road in Santa Fe.
6:49 p.m.: Valdez’s father called him, but the family said his phone was off.
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