On September 18, 2025, 36-year-old Joel "Deano" Valdez was last seen in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A married father of three and a U.S. Marine combat veteran, Valdez was working as a lineman in Silver City and was on his way home to Coyote for the weekend. He sent a text to his wife at 2:30 p.m. stating he was leaving Silver City. His last confirmed location was an Allsup's gas station on Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe at approximately 5:40 p.m., where he was seen on security footage. He also made a cash withdrawal from a nearby Wells Fargo ATM.
Valdez was driving his white 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 with New Mexico license plate 248THP. Concern grew when he never arrived home and failed to make his usual morning contact with his family. His wife reported him missing to the New Mexico State Police on September 21, 2025. Following his disappearance, fraudulent activity was reported on his debit card at multiple locations in Santa Fe. His truck was reportedly seen in Albuquerque on September 22, 2025.
For months, the case remained a missing person investigation, with his family and law enforcement seeking information from the public. A significant development occurred on April 12, 2026, when human remains were discovered on Caja del Rio Road outside of Santa Fe by a person walking their dog. On April 16, 2026, the New Mexico State Police confirmed the remains were identified as those of Joel "Deano" Valdez. The cause and manner of his death have not yet been determined, and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the New Mexico State Police or Crime Stoppers.
Last Seen: Sep 18, 2025
