The Albuquerque Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit needs your help to find 76-year-old Joseph “Jerry” Lopez.
Jerry was last seen leaving his home in the 2600 block of Luna Nuestra NW. He has dementia and may not remember how to return home. His clothing at the time is unknown.
We have been alerted by people on social media and we have seen numerous Reddit posts that Jerry has actually been missing since May 15th, see the top left corner of flyer/bulletin. Unfortunately, APD did not send the media this Silver Alert flyer until the night of May 18th. The family mentioned on one Reddit thread that Jerry is retired from the National Guard of 36 years. Jerry retired as a Chief Master Sergeant.
If you see Jerry, please contact the Albuquerque Police Department Missing Persons Unit at (505) 984-6000 or call the non-emergency number at 505-242-COPS. You can also call the New Mexico Department of Public Safety Missing Person Hotline at 1-800-457-3463.
Description:
Name: Joseph Lopez (Jerry)
AGE: 76
Gender: Male
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 200
Eye Color: Brown
Hair: Brown
UPDATE 1:
As of 5/21, authorities have not yet located Mr. Lopez.
UPDATE 2:
On May 23, 2024, at 5:09 PM, APD emailed the media to report that Mr. Lopez had been located. Unfortunately, they did not provide any additional details beyond stating, “Mr. Lopez has been located.”
Please see update 2 below.
UPDATE 3:
ABQ RAW spoke to one of Mr. Lopez’s grandchildren and they report that he has NOT been found.
In the past, ABQ RAW has tried to contact the City of Albuquerque and APD via email but has received no responses. We will now attempt to email APD’s Public Information Officer to investigate what happened and why the Silver Alert cancellation was issued. ABQ RAW still regards the Silver Alert as “active.”
UPDATE 4:
ABQ RAW spoke to one of Mr. Lopez’s family members on Thursday, May 23rd, 2024, around 9:50 PM. They revealed that Mr. Lopez’s body had been discovered, leading to the cancellation of the Silver Alert.
At 9:32 PM, APD’s civilian PIO Gilbert Gallegos sent an email stating, “Investigators have clarified that they tentatively identified deceased remains discovered today as Joseph Lopez. That is why they cancelled the missing persons alert.”
APD’s PIO Gallegos had sent an earlier email at 5:09 PM indicating that Mr. Lopez had been located, causing the family to frantically search for information about his status and whereabouts.
Mr. Lopez was a retired Chief Master Sergeant in the Air National Guard.
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