SPRINGDALE, Ark. — A weeks-long search for a missing Texas man has come to a tragic end after he was found dead in a Walmart parking lot in Springdale, Arkansas, authorities confirmed.
Springdale police said 78-year-old Hector Balderas of Dallas was discovered Saturday, Dec. 27, inside his vehicle, which had been parked in a Walmart lot. Balderas had been reported missing since Dec. 13, sparking concern from family members and prompting a multi-state search effort.
According to relatives, Balderas was working as a delivery driver and had been traveling through parts of Arkansas and Oklahoma at the time he was last heard from. Family members said his final known location was in Sebastian County, Arkansas, and communication with him abruptly stopped, raising alarm.
“We’re getting worried because it’s already been multiple days without hearing anything about him,” his son, Hector Balderas Jr., said earlier during the search.
Volunteer search organization Texas EquuSearch assisted in spreading awareness of Balderas’ disappearance, sharing information about his vehicle — a bright yellow Ford Transit box van — and encouraging the public to report any sightings.
Police said the van was located Saturday after someone recognized it in the Walmart parking lot and contacted authorities. Officers responded to the scene and were able to enter the vehicle, where Balderas was found deceased.
In a statement, the Springdale Police Department said a death investigation is ongoing. However, officials noted there are currently no signs of foul play. The exact cause of death has not yet been released and will be determined by the medical examiner.
The discovery brings a somber conclusion to a search that spanned multiple communities and drew support from volunteers and concerned citizens across state lines. Family members have been notified, and authorities are continuing to review the circumstances surrounding Balderas’ death.
As the investigation continues, police said additional information will be released when it becomes available. Community members and those who followed the search effort are remembering Balderas while offering condolences to his family during this difficult time.