San Antonio Hosts Annual Missing Persons Day to Support Families

Event brings together loved ones searching for answers and maintains awareness of unresolved cases

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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San Antonio hosted its 3rd annual Missing Persons Day on Saturday, providing a space for families grappling with the uncertainty of loved ones lost to disappearance and unsolved crimes. The event, organized by the nonprofit Search and Support San Antonio, aimed to offer mutual support and keep these unresolved cases in the public consciousness.

Why it matters

Events like Missing Persons Day are crucial for families navigating the often isolating experience of a loved one's disappearance. Providing a platform for shared experience and access to resources can be a vital lifeline during an incredibly difficult time.

The details

The gathering included families from across Texas connected by a shared experience of grief and a relentless search for answers. Organizers emphasized the unique bond formed among these families, stating 'It's a connection that these families didn't want to have,' but one that provides strength 'through their pain and grief they are united in supporting one another.' The event offered families access to resources, including information on latest technologies that could potentially aid in searches and support coping with trauma.

  • San Antonio hosted its 3rd annual Missing Persons Day on Saturday, February 8, 2026.
  • The event included families connected to cases dating back 15 years, such as the disappearance of Pauline Diaz in 2011.

The players

Search and Support San Antonio

A nonprofit organization that hosted the Missing Persons Day event.

Valerie Mendoza

A mother whose 27-year-old daughter Katelyn Vara disappeared after a medical appointment on August 6, 2024.

Eddie Gonzalez

A father who attended the event in memory of his daughter Megan, whose body was found after she went missing in November 2020.

Juanita Diaz

A woman whose mother has been missing for 15 years, and who underscored the importance of continued advocacy to keep these cases visible to the public.

Jason Landry

A missing person case where the victim's vehicle was found near Luling, but he remains missing after disappearing in December 2020.

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What they’re saying

“There's not a lot of answers.”

— Valerie Mendoza (newsy-today.com)

“We're the only voice that these people have, and we have to keep these cases visible to the public.”

— Juanita Diaz (newsy-today.com)

The takeaway

As families continue their searches and navigate the complexities of unresolved loss, the annual Missing Persons Day serves as a reminder that they are not alone and that their loved ones are not forgotten.