Missing person Anthony ‘Tony’ Chavez of Los Alamos. If you have any information, please call LAPD Dispatch (505) 662-8222. Courtesy photo
Anthony ‘Tony’ Chavez was last seen since May 4. Courtesy photo
BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com
Posts on Social media alerted the Los Alamos Reporter and others in the community Monday morning that Los Alamos resident Anthony “Tony” Chavez, 78, is missing and was last seen May 4 leaving his home on 37th Street in Los Alamos on foot.
Chavez is described as 5′ 6″. 135lbs, bald, and wears glasses. He was described as “very fit and slender, healthy and clearheaded”.
The Reporter called Los Alamos Deputy Police Chief James Rodriguez, who was not on duty Monday morning. Rodriguez was aware of the missing person but did not know why LAPD had not sent an alert to local media. A subsequent call to LAPD Dino Sgambellone indicated that both his phones were “blowing up” as people were learning about the missing man, and that he was working to have a notice sent out. Consistent beeping from Sgambellone’s phone could be heard on the call as texts rolled in.
Chavez’s friend Carl Buckland posted on Facebook and others soon responded by re-posting Buckland’s post.
“He is active and intellectually engaged. It is very much out of character or circumstance for him to be out of touch with his family or friends for more than a day. He is my best friend, and we were in contact regularly,” Buckland said. “His car was locked and parked in his driveway. His wallet, car keys and personal items were in his home, so it appears that he left his home with the intention of not being gone for more than a few minutes. He did hike in Pueblo Canyon often, but it does not appear that he left home prepared for a hike, plus the weather was very inclement. He does not carry a cell phone.”
Buckland described Chavez’s disappearance as extremely unusual and asked anyone with information to contact LAPD and reference Case #2025-0254.
Chief Sgambellone said LAPD will be issuing a release, however it is not clear what caused the delay in notifying the public. Since former Deputy Chief Oliver Morris retired, receiving information LAPD has been challenging for the Reporter.
Update: LAPD Det. Sgt. Ryan Wolking released the following at 12:35 p.m. Monday, May 12:
On 05/08/2025 Mr. Anthony Chavez of Los Alamos was reported as a missing person. Since then, exhaustive efforts to locate him have proved unsuccessful. Mr. Chavez is not believed to be endangered, but the public is asked to help locate Mr. Chavez to ensure his safety.
Mr. Chavez’s family and friends consider this disappearance out of character. Please contact the Los Alamos Police Department at 505-662-8222 if you have information on Mr. Chavez’s whereabouts.
Photos of Mr. Chavez are attached but he is described as a 5’6” tall, 78-year-old white male, who weighs approximately 135 pounds and wears glasses.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.