SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico State Police say human remains found in Santa Fe County are missing man Joel “Deano” Valdez.

State police said the update came after someone walking a dog found human remains on Caja del Rio Road on April 12.

Through coordination with the Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI), state police said investigators positively identified the remains as Valdez.

The cause and manner of death have not yet been determined. OMI will conduct further anthropological examination.

Valdez was reported missing on Sept. 21, 2025, after he did not return home to Coyote after work in Silver City, according to New Mexico State Police.

State police said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

The family of Joel “Deano” Valdez sent the following statement:

“We confirm that the remains of Joel “Deano” Valdez have been located. While this development marks a profoundly difficult moment for the family, it brings a measure of closure to a long and painful period of uncertainty that began last September, when he disappeared.

At this time, there are significantly more questions than answers. The circumstances surrounding Deano’s disappearance and death remain under active investigation, and we will not speculate or comment beyond confirmed facts.

The family is seeking clarity and accountability and is committed to allowing the appropriateauthorities the time and space necessary to conduct a thorough and careful investigation. Through counsel, the family is closely monitoring all developments and will pursue every appropriate avenue to ensure that the facts are fully uncovered.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the tremendous support,
encouragement, and prayers they have received over the past seven months. They are deeply thankful to all who have sacrificed their time and effort in the search for Deano. The family also extends its appreciation to the individuals and agencies who have contributed to the ongoing investigation and commitment to getting answers.

Additionally, they extend their sincere gratitude to all those who have supported and remained invested in Deano’s story. The family deeply appreciates the outpouring of support from both the online community and the media. They understand that many are awaiting answers and assure that updates will be shared when appropriate and available.

The family respectfully requests privacy as they process this devastating news. They ask the public and the media to honor their need for space and dignity during this period of mourning.

May Deano rest in peace.”

Anyone with information related to the case can contact New Mexico State Police at 505-841-9256.

SANTA FE, N.M. — A new settlement between the State of New Mexico and the maker of EpiPen is expected to make the EpiPen more accessible and affordable in the state.

Drugmaker Mylan, Inc., agreed to pay $2.25 million to the state. It’ll resolve claims that they engaged in unfair and anticompetitive practices related to its products that are used for emergency allergic reactions.

As a part of the settlement, the company doesn’t have to admit any wrongdoing to those practices. However, they will have to do the following:

• Increase copay coupons from $25 to $40.
  • People can get $40 off instead of $25.
• Donate 10,000 more EpiPens to the state for distribution.
  • 1,000 two-packs per year for five years, starting this year.
  • State will distribute as they see fit.
• Increase awareness of EpiPen’s school program and how to enroll.
  • Program provides free EpiPen devices to schools.
    • Participation in New Mexico is among the lowest in the nation.
      • Around 10% of schools participate.

“This settlement serves as an important protection for New Mexico consumers and families who depend on affordable access to life-saving epinephrine products,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “The New Mexico Department of Justice will continue to fight for fair pricing and transparency in the pharmaceutical industry. We look forward to working with Mylan to raise public awareness of the relief this settlement provides.”

The State accused Mylan of violating consumer protection and antitrust statutes with its business and pricing practices. That includes general delay tactic, patent litigation strategies, marketing practices and pricing decisions.

The $2.25 million to settle those claims will go to the state to support investigation costs, programs, personnel, training and “urgent health care needs.”

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – There will be a Hall on the UNM men’s basketball team next season. Dax Hall, younger brother of Lobos leading scorer Jake Hall, has committed to New Mexico. Dax comes to New Mexico from Santa Fe Christian School in Carlsbad, California, where he averaged 27.1 points with 7.3 assists per game.

The six-foot-two point guard never had a game where he scored less than 17 points this past season. He also had 9 thirty-point games and a 42-point performance on his way to CIF San Diego Section Player of the Year honors. Meanwhile, his Mountain West Freshman of the Year brother, Jake, remains undecided on where he will play next season. Jake entered the transfer with a no-contact tag and with a possibility of returning to New Mexico. He has not mentioned which opportunity he will take.