Abraham Siliezer was a 56‑year‑old Hispanic/Latino man living in San Francisco when he went missing on August 9, 2020. On that day he reached out to his sister, reporting that he felt unwell—with symptoms including severe headache, abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting. An ambulance was dispatched to his supportive housing on Kearny Street but he declined medical assistance or hospitalization. That was the last confirmed contact his family had with him.
Despite concerns, no further communication or sightings were confirmed until the following day. Family members say that on August 10 security camera footage captured Abraham leaving the Kearny Street residence around late morning, walking westbound on Bush Street, apparently en route to the VA Medical Center at Fort Miley near Land’s End—but he never arrived and has not been seen since.
Abraham had a distinguished background: a U.S. Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserves veteran, followed by studies at UC Berkeley and city service with San Francisco’s Housing Task Force. Following a traumatic brain injury sustained in an assault several years earlier, he developed early-onset dementia and experienced frequent seizures. His sister described him as non‑violent but frail, unable to care for himself, with Alzheimer‑like symptoms, a long scar on his right arm and a tendency to wander when disoriented.
San Francisco Police Department classified him as an “at‑risk” missing person. On August 11 a formal missing person report was filed. The SFPD emphasized his serious medical vulnerability and requested public assistance, noting he was considered unable to manage independently and urging anyone who saw him to call the SFPD tip line or use TIP411 to text information.
Approximately one month after his disappearance, on September 11, park rangers located a badly decomposed body in a ravine near Land’s End, behind the VA Medical Center. Some homeless individuals in the area reported seeing his body days before it was found. In October the remains were formally identified and the family was informed. Abraham’s sister voiced deep mistrust of the VA hospital, believing her brother was trying to seek care there and may have been turned away—possibly without being officially registered—a scenario she says the VA denies. An investigation into his death and the hospital’s role was undertaken, and autopsy results were pending by November 2020.
The unfolding of the case underscores multiple layers of tragedy: a veteran struggling with debilitating health and cognitive decline, choosing to refuse medical transport, disappearing while seeking help, and ultimately being found deceased near the very medical facility he was attempting to reach. Despite his disappearance and death being widely reported, questions remain about whether adequate care or protocols were in place when he sought assistance—and whether his medical urgency was properly addressed by authorities and the VA system.Last Seen: Aug 9, 2020
