Volunteer Searchers Scour Ciudad Juárez Desert for Missing US Soldier
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, May 24, 2026 – A determined search operation is underway in the desert south of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, as volunteer groups continue their efforts to locate Richard Halliday, a 21-year-old US soldier who disappeared in July 2020. Halliday was last seen on July 23, 2020, after leaving Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.
Equipped with picks, shovels, and rods, members of various civil organizations are meticulously searching the arid terrain. The search was prompted by a recent tip suggesting that Halliday’s remains might be found in this particular area.
A Desperate Search in a Known Burial Ground
“We received a tip that the remains of soldier Richard Halliday, who has been missing for 128 days from Fort Bliss, might be here. We came to rule out this lead; we cannot say yes or no without coming to see,” stated the lawyer representing the Halliday family. The 128 days mentioned in the original report refers to the time elapsed from the disappearance date to the original article’s publication date.
The search area, located at kilometer 29 of Federal Highway 2, is unfortunately well-known to authorities. In recent years, the Chihuahua Prosecutor’s Office has discovered dozens of clandestine graves in this region, raising concerns that Halliday’s body could be among them.
The search methodology involves volunteers forming a human chain and moving simultaneously across the desert, meticulously scanning for any signs of human remains. This technique, often referred to as ‘citizen searches,’ is crucial in areas where official resources may be stretched.
Citizen-Led Efforts and Unanswered Questions
David Peña, from the Human Rights and Social Justice Action Group, explained the nature of these operations: “These are searches that we call citizen searches, which are not convened by the authorities. These are searches we do in certain areas, in certain places, where, based on information we receive, we presume we might find something.”
The volunteers diligently dug and probed a significant expanse of land at the base of the Sierra de Juárez mountain range. “There were two pieces of information suggesting that in one of the nearby properties, Richard Halliday, this American soldier who has been missing since last year, might have been,” Peña concluded.
Despite hours of exhaustive searching, the teams did not find Halliday’s remains. They did, however, discover women’s clothing and other miscellaneous objects. Undeterred, the searchers have vowed to continue their efforts in the coming days and weeks.
Background of the Disappearance
Richard Halliday’s disappearance has been a source of immense distress for his family and a point of concern for both US and Mexican authorities. The desert areas surrounding Ciudad Juárez and El Paso are vast and challenging, making search operations inherently difficult. The involvement of volunteer groups highlights the ongoing need for community participation in such cases.
The continued dedication of these searchers underscores the persistent hope of finding Halliday and bringing closure to his family. The challenges are significant, but the resolve of those involved remains strong.
This case is one of several instances of missing persons in the region, a stark reminder of the complexities and dangers that can exist in border areas. The search for Richard Halliday is not just an individual effort but a symbol of the broader struggle to account for the disappeared.
