El Paso police are in an urgent search for 72-year-old Guadalupe Perez Ramirez after he disappeared from his home early Tuesday, long before his family woke up and realized he was gone. Loved ones say he never made it back by nightfall. Perez Ramirez has Alzheimer’s and is believed to be on medication.
According to the El Paso Police Department and local station KFOX14, Perez Ramirez left his residence at 711 S. Hill St. and was last seen walking westbound on Sixth Street at about 6:48 a.m. A photo released by police shows the missing man, and officials say he does not have a cellphone or any other way to contact his family. Officers are urging residents to keep an eye on nearby streets, yards and businesses for any sign of him.
Yahoo News reports, citing KTSM’s initial coverage, that a nearby business owner was the last person to see Perez Ramirez and confirmed he had already left the 700 block of South Hill Street before his family awoke. The outlets note he is on medication and may be disoriented.
Why wandering can be life-threatening
Wandering is a well-known risk for people living with dementia. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that six in 10 people with dementia will wander at least once, and many do so more than once. Each incident raises the chances of injury or death if the person is not located quickly. The group urges families to search close to home first and to consider identification programs that can help authorities reunite missing individuals with their caregivers.
How to help
If you see Perez Ramirez or know anything about where he might be, call the El Paso Police Department non-emergency line at 915-823-4400, or dial 911 if the situation appears urgent, per KFOX14. Try to note the person’s exact location, direction of travel and clothing. Officials advise against physically approaching someone who looks confused or frightened; instead, keep them in sight and let trained responders handle the contact. Local volunteer groups and the Alzheimer's Association may also be able to assist families with searches or caregiver support resources.
