John Martinez, a 38‑year‑old man diagnosed with schizophrenia and a history of seizures, was reported missing from his Riverside, Calif., apartment complex on Feb. 13 after he failed to return from a brief walk outside his building.
Background
Martinez lives alone and receives monthly medication assistance through a local mental‑health outreach program. Neighbors say he was last seen heading toward the nearby park around 2 p.m., carrying a small backpack and a bottle of water. When he did not return, his roommate called the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, prompting an immediate welfare check.
Investigators quickly learned that Martinez had experienced a seizure earlier that morning, according to his primary care physician at Riverside Community Health Center. The physician confirmed that seizures are a known complication of the antipsychotic medication Martinez takes for schizophrenia. Family members expressed concern that the combination of his condition and a recent medication change may have contributed to his disappearance.
The Investigation
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the California Department of Public Health and the local mental‑health crisis team, launched a multi‑agency search. Officers canvassed the park, surrounding streets, and nearby shelters, while canine units were deployed to track Martinez’s scent from his apartment building. The sheriff’s department also issued an Amber‑style alert to hospitals and emergency rooms across the county, asking staff to be on the lookout for a man matching Martinez’s description who may be experiencing a seizure or psychiatric episode.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that no foul play is suspected at this stage; the focus remains on locating Martinez before a medical emergency escalates. The investigation is ongoing, and detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses to pinpoint his last known movements.
Key Takeaways
- John Martinez, 38, missing since Feb. 13 after a brief walk from his Riverside apartment.
- He suffers from schizophrenia and a documented seizure disorder, complicating the search effort.
- Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, California Department of Public Health, and local crisis teams are leading the coordinated response.
- No evidence of criminal activity; authorities are treating the case as a medical‑welfare disappearance.
What's Next
Search teams will continue to patrol the park and surrounding neighborhoods over the next 48 hours, while detectives analyze newly obtained security footage. Family members have been asked to provide any additional information about Martinez’s recent behavior or medication changes. The sheriff’s office will issue updates as new leads develop, and hospitals have been instructed to flag any patients presenting with seizure symptoms who match Martinez’s description.