Independent Detective

Detailed Case Breakdown

Unresolved Disappearance: The Case of Mark Daniel Aguilar

SANTA FE, N.M. — The years-long mystery surrounding the disappearance of Mark Daniel Aguilar, a Native American man last seen in Santa Fe in 2016, continues to draw attention from family, advocates and law enforcement nearly a decade later.

Aguilar, born February 19, 1965, vanished without explanation on September 4, 2016. At the time, he was 51 and experiencing homelessness in Santa Fe, known to frequent the Pete’s Place shelter and the Rufina Street area. His disappearance remains open and unsolved despite ongoing interest and community efforts to keep awareness alive.

Last Confirmed Sightings

Aguilar was last confirmed on surveillance video on October 18, 2016, when he was seen at the New Mexico Workforce Connection office between 2:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. — more than a month after his initial disappearance. After that sighting, he was never heard from again.

His family formally reported him missing on December 2, 2016, triggering official involvement by the Santa Fe Police Department. Despite numerous tips and community-generated leads, there has been no confirmed breakthrough in the investigation as of 2026.

Personal and Cultural Context

Aguilar was of San Juan Pueblo and San Felipe Pueblo descent and known to close friends and family by the nicknames Bones and Danny. His disappearance garnered attention not only for its unresolved nature but also because he was a member of Pueblo communities with rich cultural ties in northern New Mexico.

His physical description at the time of disappearance included graying black hair, brown eyes, and typical attire — a green army jacket, jeans, and a red University of New Mexico cap — along with a black backpack.

Ongoing Investigation and Public Appeal

Local authorities, including the Santa Fe Police Department, classify the incident as a missing person case and continue to encourage anyone with information to come forward. While the case has not seen major public updates in recent years, community-driven social media pages and missing-persons organizations continue to circulate Aguilar’s profile and seek assistance from the public.

Efforts from advocacy groups emphasize that even cold cases can yield new leads through renewed attention and advances in forensic technology. Aguilar’s family and supporters maintain hope that any piece of information, no matter how small, could lead to long-awaited answers.

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Facebook Post:

Mark Daniel Aguilar, 51, has been out of contact with his family since September 4th, 2016. He was unhoused in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the time.

Mark often frequented Pete’s Place Shelter and the Rufina St. area in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was seen on surveillance at the NM Workforce Construction office between 2:30 pm and 2:45 pm on October 18th, 2016. That was the last known sighting of Mark.

Mark is of San Juan Pueblo and San Felipe Pueblo tribes with graying black hair and brown eyes. He was 5’6 and 150-180 lbs at the time. He was last seen wearing a green Army jacket, a black t-shirt, blue jeans. and either a black stocking cap or a red baseball cap with the University of New Mexico logo on them. Mark often went by Bones or Danny. He is listed at # MP37444 in NamUs and there are two exclusions for his DNA/dentals.

If you have any information in the whereabouts of Mark Daniel Aguilar please call the Santa Fe PD at 505-955-5282, referencing case # 16-020050. You can remain anonymous.