The remains of Joel “Deano” Valdez, who went missing in September, have been found outside Santa Fe, according to the New Mexico State Police.
The NMSP Investigations Bureau issued a press release on April 16, stating that on April 12, a person walking their dog on Caja del Rio Road located the remains, which were later identified as Deano Valdez.
Dateline featured Deano’s story in its ‘Missing in America’ series in October of 2025. Deano was last seen on September 18, 2025, on his way home from working as a lineman in Silver City, New Mexico. He was headed to his home in Coyote when he was seen on security footage at 5:40 p.m. at the Allsup’s gas station on Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe. That was the last confirmed sighting of Deano.
“It’s completely out of character, unlike him,” cousin Monique Garcia told Dateline at the time. “He’s never disappeared. He’s never not come home.” Thirty-six-year-old Deano was a combat veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan as a Marine. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Victoria, for 15 years, and they had three children.
In a Facebook post following the identification of Deano’s remains, the family released a statement. “While this development marks a profoundly difficult moment for the family, it brings a measure of closure to a long and painful period of uncertainty that began last September, when he disappeared,” it read. “At this time, there are significantly more questions than answers. The circumstances surrounding Deano’s disappearance and death remain under active investigation, and we will not speculate or comment beyond confirmed facts.”
According to NMSP, the cause and manner of Deano’s death have not yet been determined. The investigation remains active and ongoing. “The New Mexico State Police extend their deepest condolences to the Valdez family during this difficult time,” their press release said.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the New Mexico State Police at 505-841-9256.
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