In the quiet community of Las Cruces, New Mexico, concern grew for 86-year-old Donald Leroy Hoihjelle after he was last seen on September 19, 2022. His caregiver reported seeing him at approximately 5:00 p.m. as he left his residence on Holman Road on foot. At the time of his disappearance, Mr. Hoihjelle was described as being 5'9" and weighing between 150 and 160 pounds, with blue eyes and thinning white hair.
He was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt, blue jeans, a black belt, and brown slippers. He also frequently wore a red sweater. The day after he was last seen, the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office issued a Silver Alert, seeking the public's help in locating him.
The circumstances surrounding Donald Hoihjelle's disappearance were particularly worrying to his loved ones and law enforcement. He had recently withdrawn a notable amount of money, $3,000, from his bank account and was known to carry a Citizens Bank bag. Compounding the concern was his recent talk of potentially moving to Colorado or his expressed interest in traveling to Minnesota to visit his sister. His intended destination and direction of travel on the day he went missing remain unknown, adding to the mystery of his case. The Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office urged anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, to come forward and contact them or call 911.
As time has passed, the case of Donald Hoihjelle remains unresolved, and he is still listed as a missing person by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. The initial urgency of the Silver Alert has transitioned into a prolonged and painful wait for answers for his family and community. The details of the case paint a picture of a vulnerable elderly man who vanished without a trace, leaving behind a series of unsettling questions. The combination of his age, his recent large cash withdrawal, and his discussions of long-distance travel created a complex and troubling scenario for investigators. The overview of this case is one of an elderly man who disappeared from his home with no clear indication of his plans, leaving his loved ones in a state of uncertainty.Last Seen: Sep 19, 2022
