Authorities in South Austin are searching for 82-year-old Ramon Gonzales after he went missing Sunday from St. David's South Austin Medical Center, prompting a statewide Silver Alert and a plea for help from the public.
ACTIVE SILVER ALERT for Ramon Gonzalez from Austin, TX, on 1/18/2026 pic.twitter.com/jI7sUEEsXN
— Texas Alerts (@TX_Alerts) January 19, 2026
Family members and law enforcement say Gonzales was last seen in the early afternoon at the hospital, and they believe he may be in need of assistance. He is described as a white man with gray hair and brown eyes.
According to KVUE, the Texas Department of Public Safety issued the Silver Alert after Gonzales was last seen at about 2 p.m. Sunday at St. David's South Austin Medical Center. He is about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighs roughly 180 pounds and was wearing a red shirt, a brown jacket and blue jeans when he disappeared. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-5000.
How to help
If you believe you see Gonzales, officials say do not wait. Call 911 immediately so officers can respond in real time.
For non-emergency tips or to share information that might help investigators, the Austin Police Department lists contact options and online reporting tools on its website.
What a Silver Alert Means
In Texas, a Silver Alert is used to quickly alert the public and law enforcement about missing older adults who may be endangered. The state posts active alerts through a public portal so people can easily see current cases.
The Texas Department of Public Safety manages the alert system and works with local agencies to spread descriptions and photos as widely and as quickly as possible.
Local context
Austin has activated multiple Silver Alerts in recent months, and in many of those cases, the public notices helped lead to quick recoveries. Earlier this month, for example, Hoodline reported on a separate case in which a missing 73-year-old was found safe after an alert went out.
Investigators say even small details can be critical right now, and they continue to follow up on every tip. Key information released so far, including Gonzales' last known location at St. David's South Austin Medical Center, is being shared to keep the search in the public eye.
