At a Glance
- Apolonio Romero, 91, vanished Jan. 3 while walking near Scottsdale and Curry Roads.
- His body was recovered Jan. 14 from a Tempe construction zone 1.2 miles away.
- Police say there were no obvious signs of trauma; dementia and diabetes complicated the search.
- Why it matters: The tragedy highlights the vulnerability of seniors with cognitive decline and the limits of large-scale ground searches.
A 91-year-old grandfather with dementia and Type 2 diabetes who sparked a week-long search in Tempe, Arizona, has been identified as the body found at a nearby construction site, authorities confirmed.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety issued a SAFE alert for Apolonio Romero on January 3 after relatives reported he had walked away from the area of Scottsdale and Curry Roads. Six days after the alert, construction workers discovered human remains near N. McClintock and Weber Drives, barely 1.2 miles from his last known location.
Discovery at Work Site
On January 14, the Tempe Police Department announced the recovery but withheld identification pending forensic review. Local outlets ABC15 and KTAR News later confirmed the remains were Romero’s, according to News Of Los Angeles‘s review of those reports.
Family members told AZFamily the great-grandfather was hard of hearing and reluctant to accept help. Grandson Thomas Kittle described him as “a very gentle-natured man” who never missed a family milestone.
“He’s been through everything with us,” Kittle said. “Every turn of each one of our lives, he’s been present. This is an active member of the community. People can actively come to him or if they see him out here, he’s also friendly, waving to everyone.”
Search Efforts
Police deployed K-9 units that traced Romero’s scent to Vista Del Camino Park, prompting a sweep of the lake with sonar and drones. Despite the high-tech search, no trace was found until the construction-site discovery.
| Day | Action |
|---|---|
| Jan. 3 | SAFE alert issued; last seen in denim jacket |
| Jan. 6-13 | K-9, drone and sonar search of park lake |
| Jan. 14 | Body recovered at construction zone |
| Jan. 20 | Medical examiner confirms identity |
The SAFE alert warned that dementia and diabetes could leave Romero confused or lost, and noted he required daily medication. Investigators found no obvious trauma, though the final autopsy results are pending.
Community Reaction
Tempe Police asked residents for “continued patience and compassion” while the medical examiner completed identification. After confirmation, a department spokesperson told AZFamily: “Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”
Neighbors left flowers near the taped-off construction entrance, and local faith groups organized a candlelight vigil for the coming weekend. The family has not yet announced funeral plans.
Key Takeaways
- Distance: Romero was found only 1.2 miles from where he vanished, highlighting how quickly cognitively impaired seniors can become disoriented.
- Search gap: Despite extensive canine and aerial searches, the body lay undetected at an active work site for days.
- No trauma: Police said there were no visible injuries, but the medical examiner will determine final cause and manner of death.
- Public role: Relatives credit Romero as a community mainstay who greeted neighbors and attended every family event.
Authorities have not released additional details and say the investigation remains open.
