Joel Valdez
Joel “Deano” Valdez was on his way home from work when he vanished, and nearly every detail of his final known movements has raised more questions than answers. The 36‑year‑old Marine veteran left Silver City on September 18, 2025, planning to return to Coyote to see his wife and children. He made it as far as Santa Fe, where he withdrew cash from an ATM and stopped at a convenience store. After that, the trail becomes fractured, confusing, and deeply concerning.
Around 2:30 p.m., Deano texted his wife to say he was heading home, and he spoke briefly with his cousin shortly after. Nothing in those conversations suggested distress or a change of plans. He was driving his white 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500, New Mexico plate 248THP, a truck that has never been recovered. Investigators later learned that the vehicle was last seen in Albuquerque, shifting the search into central New Mexico.
The first major red flag appeared the next day, when suspicious charges began hitting his bank card. Purchases were made at gas stations and local stores—amounts large enough to fill multiple vehicles. By September 21, when the family officially reported him missing, someone attempted to use his card again, unaware it had already been canceled. These transactions, combined with the sudden shutoff of his phone, pushed the case into urgent territory.
Family members have been outspoken about how out of character this disappearance is. Deano served two tours in Afghanistan, was known for his situational awareness, and lived a steady, ordinary life centered around work and family. His cousin has repeatedly emphasized that he would not simply vanish, and that the pattern of card activity points toward someone else using his belongings after he disappeared.
New Mexico State Police have been investigating both the disappearance and the six unauthorized or attempted uses of his card. Subpoenas were issued for surveillance footage at the businesses where the transactions occurred, and officers have followed up on reported sightings of his truck. Despite the volume of cameras and traffic in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, no confirmed images of Deano himself have surfaced.
As the months passed, the case only grew more complex. In late 2025, unverified reports circulated suggesting Deano may have died shortly after he went missing. However, NMSP has not confirmed any such outcome, and the case remains officially open. Without physical evidence, without a recovered vehicle, and without a verified sighting, investigators continue to treat this as an active missing‑person investigation.
His family has remained relentless. They have organized searches, coordinated with law enforcement, and created online spaces to share updates. A reward of $7,000 has been offered for information, and relatives have spoken publicly about their heartbreak, their determination, and their refusal to let the case fade from public attention.
Loved ones describe Deano as a devoted father of three, a hardworking lineman with Local Union 611, and a man who served his country with honor. They say the silence surrounding his disappearance has left a wound that cannot heal without answers. Their message has been consistent: someone knows something, and they need the truth.
At the time he went missing, Deano was approximately 5’11”, 170–175 lbs., with brown eyes and a beard. He may have been wearing jeans, a t‑shirt, work boots, and a two‑tone brown and black trucker hat. His white Silverado 2500 remains a critical piece of the investigation, and locating it could provide the breakthrough the case has been missing.
Anyone with information about Joel “Deano” Valdez is urged to contact the New Mexico State Police at 505‑841‑9256, Crime Stoppers at 505‑843‑7867, or call 911.
His family continues to hope for answers, and they are asking the public to keep sharing his story until he is found.
