Marine Veteran’s Body Found 6 Months After He Told Family He Was on the Way Home but Never Returned
By Paloma Chavez
Published on April 18, 2026.
The remains of Joel "Deano" Valdez, a Marine veteran, have been found six months after he disappeared from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Valdez had told his family he was on his way home from work but never returned. His debit card was used to purchase gas and other items. His family reported him missing on Sept. 21, three days after his last contact with them, his remains were found on April 12 by a person walking a dog in Santa Fe County. The cause and manner of death have not yet been determined.
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