A coordinated community search effort is currently underway for 61-year-old Pauma Valley resident Frank “Paco” Torres, who is believed to have disappeared under suspicious circumstances. Family members, tribal community members, and volunteers have organized daily search parties with the heartbreaking goal of finding Torres and bringing him home to be laid to rest.
Search efforts officially began on May 19, 2026, and will continue daily at 9:00 a.m. until he is located. Volunteers and search teams are staging their daily operations from the Pauma Heritage Quick Stop, located at 100 Pauma Reservation Road.
The Investigation and Vehicle of Interest
Search operations are focusing heavily on remote areas and routes where investigators and volunteers believe evidence may be located. These areas include Highway 79, Highway 78, Temecula, Aguanga, Warner Springs, and Ramona.
A key piece of the investigation centers around a specific vehicle. The family is asking the public to be on the lookout for a dark gray Toyota Tundra with the California license plate #65171C1.
According to the family, the timeline of this vehicle’s movements on May 13 is critical:
8:09 a.m. — The truck was seen leaving Temecula near Butterfield Stage Road, traveling along Highway 79.
10:30 a.m. (approx.) — The truck later arrived in Ramona, where it reportedly stopped near a local Bank of America, a Dollar Tree, and a car wash.
How the Public Can Help
The family is issuing an urgent plea to residents, travelers, ranch owners, and businesses situated along these routes. Anyone who was in these areas between May 12 and May 14 is strongly urged to review the following for any sightings of the dark gray Toyota Tundra:
Home security footage
Ring doorbell cameras
Dash cameras
Trail cameras
Business surveillance footage
In addition to reviewing footage, the family is asking the media and the public to help raise awareness and assist in the physical search efforts. Those on the ground will see search teams preparing and departing, distributing flyers and photographs of Torres, and coordinating route maps.
Media and Public Contact Information: Anyone with information, or those looking to speak with family representatives, can reach out to: Junior Torres Phone: 760-484-3258 Email: jr.torres@yahoo.com
