Las Cruces police are asking the public to watch for a 76-year-old man with dementia who disappeared Thursday morning and may be on foot heading toward El Paso. Martin Avalos was last seen around 7:45 a.m. on the 2000 block of Sagecrest Avenue, and officers say his health conditions could put him in serious danger the longer he remains missing.
The Las Cruces Police Department issued a Silver Alert for Avalos after he vanished, according to CBS4Local. Police believe Avalos left on foot and is attempting to make his way to El Paso, a detail that raises the stakes given the distance and his medical condition. Investigators say he suffers from dementia and several other health issues that could put him in danger if he isn't located quickly.
Avalos is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie, black pants, and a black camouflage Bass Pro Shop cap, details police hope will help residents and drivers spot him along roadways between Las Cruces and El Paso.
How to Help if You Spot Him
Anyone who sees Avalos or has information about where he might be is asked to call Las Cruces police immediately at 575-526-0795. Police believe Avalos may be heading to El Paso, and anyone who sees him is asked to call, as reported by KDBC.
Why Silver Alerts Matter in New Mexico
Silver Alerts exist specifically for cases like this one. Nearly 95% of people reported missing in New Mexico between 2022 and January 2025 were eventually found after police issued a Silver Alert, according to Source New Mexico. The same outlet reported that the state's Silver Alert system no longer requires a formal diagnosis of Alzheimer's, dementia or other cognitive decline to trigger an alert, though a separate description from the New Mexico Department of Public Safety still defines a Silver Alert as applying to a missing adult 50 or older when there is a clear indication of an irreversible brain disorder such as Alzheimer's or dementia.
The state has also been working to strengthen how these alerts reach the public. New Mexico State Police said they were preparing to send emergency alerts directly to residents' cellphones once a Silver Alert or Turquoise Alert is issued for a qualifying missing person, according to the Department of Public Safety. It's not confirmed whether that kind of mobile alert went out in Avalos's case.
For now, Las Cruces police are relying on the public to help close the gap. With Avalos believed to be walking a long and potentially hazardous route toward El Paso, officers are urging anyone with information, no matter how small, to call them right away.
