Oscar Donaldo Valenzuela, a 46-year-old man from Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood, was last seen by his family on December 12, 2023. Described as a good man, a hard worker, and a cancer survivor by his mother, Aida Lemos, Valenzuela was a manager at an IHOP. At the time of his disappearance, he was 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 130 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He was known to carry a black backpack.
His family, concerned after not hearing from him, officially reported him missing in March 2024. The Chicago Police Department then issued a public bulletin seeking information on his whereabouts.
The search for Oscar Valenzuela came to a heartbreaking end six months after he was last seen. On a Tuesday evening in early June 2024, his body was discovered in a basement apartment in the 5300 block of South Hermitage Avenue, the same area where he was last seen. His mother said his body was found in a closet in his old apartment, wrapped in a blanket and concealed under a pile of clothes. The apartment, which had been his home for six years, appeared abandoned, yet there was food in the refrigerator amidst scattered clothes and other belongings.
The discovery of Valenzuela's body initiated a homicide investigation by the Chicago Police Department. His mother stated that her son had been in an abusive relationship. She also asserted that he had been stabbed and suffocated, though police have not officially released a cause of death. Authorities confirmed that his body was decomposed when found, and the Cook County medical examiner's office identified him as Oscar Valenzuela. He is remembered by his family, which includes two daughters, as a man of great faith who loved to dance, cook, and serve others. His loved ones described him as a 'jokester' who remained optimistic and happy even through difficult times. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with his death, and the investigation remains ongoing.Last Seen: Dec 12, 2023
