Family Declares Missing Marine Vet Dead, Citing Private Investigator’s Findings
The family of Joel “Deano” Valdez, a 36-year-old Marine veteran and father of three, has declared him dead nearly three months after he vanished. Valdez was last seen on September 18th, en route home after completing a job on the opposite end of New Mexico. The family’s announcement on Monday night, initially lacking detailed supporting evidence, was followed by a statement on Tuesday revealing that a private investigator had corroborated Valdez’s death through interviews with several individuals.
Valdez was reportedly traveling from Silver City to Coyote when he made a stop at a gas station in Santa Fe before his disappearance. His family strongly suspects that “something nefarious happened” to him, believing he may have been targeted at a Santa Fe gas station where he stopped before vanishing. Financial records confirm his presence at a gas station and ATM in Santa Fe prior to his disappearance. Adding to their distress, his family also reported that his credit cards were used by an unknown party after he went missing.
The family expressed the profound difficulty in beginning the grieving process without the recovery of Valdez’s remains. “To go so long without answers has been heart-wrenching and heartbreaking for all of us,” a family member stated on Monday night. “We still don’t have all the answers and hope to one day have some clarity and peace.”
Santa Fe Police Respond to Break-in Call Near Time of Disappearance
In response to inquiries from KRQE News 13, the Santa Fe Police Department confirmed that they received a 911 call around the time Joel Valdez went missing. The call reported a break-in at a white pickup truck, with the caller indicating they heard someone yelling for help from inside the vehicle. However, responding officers were diverted to a higher-priority call and did not reach the scene until approximately 45 minutes later. Upon arrival, officers found no evidence of a break-in or any disturbance.
It remains unclear, according to police records and KRQE News 13’s reporting, whether this 911 incident is directly connected to Joel Valdez or his white Chevy Silverado pickup truck.
Investigation Status and Family’s Plea for Closure
The New Mexico State Police are leading the official investigation into Valdez’s disappearance and continue to treat the case as a missing persons investigation. The family’s declaration of his death, while deeply felt and supported by their private investigator’s findings, highlights the ongoing uncertainty and emotional toll of his unexplained absence. They are awaiting further developments and hope for the eventual recovery of his remains to facilitate the grieving process and find closure. The family’s continued efforts, including hiring a private investigator, underscore their determination to uncover the truth behind Joel Valdez’s vanishing.
