The California Highway Patrol activated a Silver Alert on Sunday for Mauricio Gutierrez, an 85-year-old man who disappeared from the Lawndale area of Los Angeles County.
The alert was issued at the request of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after Gutierrez went missing under circumstances that raised immediate concern for his safety.
Details of the Disappearance
According to authorities, Gutierrez was last seen at approximately 7:30 a.m. on August 2, 2026, near West 173rd Street and Firmona Avenue in Lawndale, in the 4600 block of West 173rd Street. He is believed to have left the area on foot. Investigators say Gutierrez has a cognitive impairment, and his family has expressed deep concern for his wellbeing given his age and condition.
Gutierrez is described as a Hispanic man standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing about 150 pounds. He has gray hair and brown eyes. At the time he was last seen, he was wearing a black jacket, gray pants, and black shoes.
The Silver Alert program allows law enforcement to quickly notify the public when an elderly, developmentally disabled, or cognitively impaired person goes missing under circumstances suggesting they may be at risk. The system relies on tips from residents, businesses, and drivers who may have spotted the missing person in the hours and days after their disappearance.
Sheriff’s Department Asks Public for Help
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone who may have seen Gutierrez or who has information about his whereabouts to call 911 immediately. Deputies noted that because of his cognitive impairment, Gutierrez may appear confused or disoriented if encountered by members of the public, and may not be able to communicate his identity or location clearly.
Search efforts in the Lawndale area began shortly after the alert went out, with deputies and CHP units coordinating to canvass nearby streets and neighborhoods. The alert quickly spread across social media and emergency notification platforms as agencies pushed to widen the search radius.
Silver Alerts have become an increasingly common tool for California law enforcement agencies as the state’s elderly population grows, with several similar alerts issued across Los Angeles County in recent weeks for other missing seniors.
Officials continue to stress that quick public response in these cases can make the difference in bringing a missing person home safely.
Anyone with information on Gutierrez’s location is urged to contact 911 right away.
