83-Year-Old Woman Goes Missing in San Fernando Valley

Authorities have activated a Silver Alert to locate Martha Sandoval-Montero.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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An 83-year-old woman named Martha Sandoval-Montero has gone missing from the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles. She was last seen on Tuesday morning near Foothill Boulevard and Bledsoe Street in Sylmar, and authorities have activated a Silver Alert to try and locate her.

Why it matters

Silver Alerts are issued when elderly or vulnerable adults go missing, often indicating they may be in danger or need immediate assistance. The San Fernando Valley has seen an increase in missing persons cases in recent years, raising concerns about public safety and support systems for the elderly.

The details

According to the California Highway Patrol, Sandoval-Montero is a 5-foot-5, 120-pound woman with gray hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black sweater and pants, black-and-white shoes, and carrying a black rolling luggage bag. Authorities are urging anyone with information about her whereabouts to call 911 immediately.

  • Sandoval-Montero was last seen around 7 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • The Silver Alert was activated on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Martha Sandoval-Montero

An 83-year-old woman who went missing from the San Fernando Valley.

California Highway Patrol

The law enforcement agency that has activated a Silver Alert to locate Sandoval-Montero.

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What’s next

Authorities will continue searching for Sandoval-Montero and urge the public to report any information that could help locate her.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of community vigilance and support systems for vulnerable elderly residents, as well as the need for proactive measures to prevent and respond to missing persons incidents involving senior citizens.