News Release

Search Underway for Two Missing Persons

Date: February 7, 2022
Contact: Tom VandenBerg, 432-477-1107

UPDATE 2-15-22

The two missing individuals have been successfully located.
Thank you to all who participated in and supported the search efforts.

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TEXAS – The National Park Service (NPS), Big Bend National Park and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) El Paso Field Office, Alpine Resident Agency Office, is seeking information from the public about a missing Fort Stockton man and child who were last seen on January 28, 2022.

On January 28, 2022, 49-year-old Hector Flores, Jr. and his 9-year-old daughter traveled from Fort Stockton, Texas, to Big Bend National Park, in Flores’ blue 2005 Dodge 1500 truck. Flores’ truck was later found abandoned along the northern end of the remote Old Ore Road with many of their personal belongings inside. It is believed that they may be traveling on foot and may not have the proper clothing or equipment to camp inside the park.

Flores has black hair, brown eyes, and is 5’9” in height and approximately 150 pounds. The daughter is also a resident of Fort Stockton. She has black hair and brown eyes. They both have family in San Antonio, Texas.

Searchers from the NPS, the NPS Investigative Services Branch, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Texas Department of Public Safety are involved in the search. Teams are hiking the area, driving the backcountry roads, and searching from the air using helicopters. Although the whereabouts of Hector Flores and his daughter are unknown at this time, investigators believe they may still be in Big Bend National Park.

The public is urged to call the FBI Tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) with any information. Tips can also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov. Individuals who provide information may remain anonymous. A missing persons investigation is on-going, and no further information is available at this time.

For more information about Big Bend National Park please visit www.nps.gov/bibe