Found Deceased NM - Juan Muñoz, Nat’l Guardsman failed to report; Vehicle found at bridge; Taos; 20 Feb 2021

[imstilla.grandma]

Juan Muñoz of Taos, New Mexico, was last seen on Saturday, February 20, 2021, and was scheduled to spend the weekend at the National Guard Armory in Rio Rancho, but he reportedly never returned for drill on Sunday.

Juan was reported missing by his sergeant the following day when his car was located at the Río Grande Gorge Bridge near Taos. His belongings, including his wallet, ID, debit card, cell phone and car keys, were inside the vehicle.

Elizabeth Rivera told Dateline she found out her son was missing when New Mexico State Police officers showed up at her door in Taos on Sunday, February 21.

“I don’t know where he could be,” Elizabeth said. “It doesn’t make sense.”

Elizabeth told Dateline that security guards working at the Río Grande Gorge Bridge later reported they had seen Juan’s car in a parking lot near the bridge on the evening of February 20. They told family members that the vehicle had pulled into the lot around 8 p.m., followed by another car. The second vehicle stayed for several minutes and then sped off, heading east across the bridge into Taos, the guards told the family.

According to a statement from the New Mexico State Police, search dogs were brought in and “confirmed that Munoz’s scent was on the bridge.” Extensive searches using drones and kayaks were conducted by the state police below the bridge and several miles downstream, but there was no sign of Juan. The NMSP dive team was also brought in, but were unable to get any of their equipment into the water due to low water levels, according to the statement.

Juan’s family say they haven’t given up hope as they turn to the public for help, offering a cash reward for any information leading to Juan’s whereabouts. A Facebook page Help Find Juan Muñoz has been created to share updates on the case.
Search continues for missing National Guardsman two months after his car was found at Río Grande Gorge Bridge in New Mexico

 

[mlhenn]

Search continues for missing National Guardsman two months after his car was found at Río Grande Gorge Bridge in New Mexico

•Juan Muñoz of Taos, New Mexico, was last seen on Saturday, February 20, 2021.
• He was scheduled to spend the weekend at the National Guard Armory in Rio Rancho, but he reportedly never returned for drill on Sunday.
•His car was located at the Río Grande Gorge Bridge near Taos.
•His belongings, including his wallet, ID, debit card, cell phone and car keys, were inside the vehicle.
•security guards working at the Río Grande Gorge Bridge later reported they had seen Juan’s car in a parking lot near the bridge on the evening of February 20.
•The vehicle had pulled into the lot around 8 p.m., followed by another car.
•The second vehicle stayed for several minutes and then sped off, heading east across the bridge into Taos
•search dogs were brought in and “confirmed that Munoz’s scent was on the bridge.”
•searches were done several miles downstream
•dive team could not search due to the water level being too low.
•Juan’s disappearance is under investigation


Note: There are some wonderful photos of Juan in the article.

 

[mlhenn]

Help Find Juan Muñoz

•a cash reward is being offered.
•Juan was last seen at the National Guard Armory in Rio Rancho,New Mexico on February 20, 2021 around 4:30 PM.
•Guards who were working the bridge that night spotted his car with another car in the parking lot around 8 PM.
•The guards observed the second vehicle stayed for a couple minutes then sped off heading East across the bridge.
•In addition to spotting the car, the guards also stated that they entered the parking lot from the west side which is highly unusual if he was traveling from Rio Rancho into Taos from that direction.
•The guards also stated that at no point did they see Juan walk the bridge that night.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Juan’s mother told Dateline that many people believe her son jumped from the bridge, but she said it’s uncharacteristic for him to leave without contacting anyone, and that he would not take his own life.

However, Juan’s sergeant told his family that Juan was acting “more quiet than usual” prior to his disappearance.

The Río Grande Gorge Bridge has one the highest bridge suicide rates per capita in the country, according to previous news coverage.

“He’s quiet and responsible,” Juan’s mother told Dateline. “If there was fighting or drama, he just stayed away… on the sidelines.”

Along with being in the Army National Guard, Juan also worked at the Taos Retirement Village and the Taos Living Center. His mother added that he had applied for a job at the Albuquerque Police Department and was investing in a 401(k) retirement plan. A few days before Juan disappeared, he had just gotten a haircut and ordered new clothes.

“He’s had plans for his life,” his mother said. “I’m just scared that something happened. We just need to know more. We need help.”

Juan’s family say they haven’t given up hope as they turn to the public for help, offering a cash reward for any information leading to Juan’s whereabouts. A Facebook page Help Find Juan Muñoz has been created to share updates on the case.

“Maybe someone saw something,” Juan’s mother said. “Or saw the other car. We just need more information. Please call the police.”
Search continues for missing National Guardsman two months after his car was found at Río Grande Gorge Bridge in New Mexico

 

[ChatteringBirds]

They need to put working cameras on this bridge, IMO.

I really hope he's okay out there. Could he have left with someone in the other car? If you are reading this, please find a way to let your family know that you are okay, Juan.

 

[mlhenn]

Hispanic Soldier Juan Muñoz goes missing 'without a trace' - English Mundo Hispanico

April 21, 2021
Private Juan Muñoz has been missing for two months and he left no trace, he hasn’t been seen since he didn’t show up at a military base in New Mexico, leaving his family plunged into grief and fearing a tragedy similar to that of Private Vanessa Guillen, says Efe.

Juan Muñoz’s belongings, including a cell phone, wallet, ID, debit card and car keys, were inside the vehicle, something that “doesn’t make sense” to Elizabeth Rivera, mother of the Hispanic soldier who has disappeared.

Added to this nonsense is the fact that the Hispanic soldier, Juan Muñoz, wanted to retire from the military ranks before the end of his term, indicates Efe. Elizabeth Rivera assures that her son had told her that he wanted to retire from the service.

“I asked him the reasons and he replied that it was a confidential matter,” the Mexican told Efe with a lump in her throat. He clarifies that he told his son that he would support him in any decision, and that the young man was excited about moving to Albuquerque.

The mother’s fear grew stronger when security guards working on the Rio Grande Throat Bridge told her that they had seen Juan’s car pull up alongside another car in a nearby parking lot.

This Tuesday she called on the governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, to support her in the search.

 

[mlhenn]

Log into Facebook |Help Find Juan Munoz

Posting regularly

 

[indicolite22]

He was found deceased last week and was identified on Monday.

Body found in Rio Grande identified as missing guardsman

 

[mlhenn]

He was found deceased last week and was identified on Monday.

Body found in Rio Grande identified as missing guardsman

Taos County sheriff's deputies recovered Muñoz's body Thursday from the river, about 21/2 miles south of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. According to New Mexico State Police, it was first discovered by a kayaker.

OMI identified the body Monday, state police Lt. Mark Soriano said.

State police investigators said they are still investigating his death.

Officer Dusty Francisco wrote in an email that Muñoz was scheduled for a mental health evaluation, so his absence from training raised concerns.

Nava and Lujan also expressed concern Muñoz may have had symptoms of depression due to the death of his girlfriend.

The Muñoz family was visited this week by Gen. Kenneth Nava and Master Sgt. Annabelle Lujan of the New Mexico National Guard, who told them Muñoz would receive full military honors at his funeral, Rivera said.

The service is planned for 6 p.m. May 20 at DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Sincere condolences to his family and friends.