This week’s Missing in Houston stretches beyond the metro area as the family of 36-year-old Juan Merlos searches for answers after he disappeared from nearby Cut and Shoot on Aug. 20.
Already grieving the loss of his younger sister, Karen Belen Henriquez, who tragically died in a car accident just weeks earlier, Juan’s family is now facing another heart-wrenching crisis.
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His mother, still mourning the loss of her daughter, is “torn into pieces,” according to Juan’s sister, Jackie Henriquez-Merlos.
“My mom feels like she’s losing all her children,” Jackie explained. “We’re desperate to get any word about Juan. Even if he wants to be alone, we just want to know if he’s OK.”
Juan is described as 6′1″ with a large build, brown hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing all black—shirt, pants, and shoes—and driving a 2009 blue Chevy Silverado, Texas license plate RRB5140.
“The last time we heard from Juan, he was switching out trucks at my aunt and uncle’s house,” Jackie recalled. “He tried calling some friends around two in the morning, but they didn’t answer. Nothing seemed off before that.”
TIMELINE OF EVENTS:
- August 20, 9 a.m.: Juan switched trucks at his uncle’s house in Houston and returned to his home in Cut and Shoot.
- August 20, 4:59 p.m.: Juan’s truck passed through a toll on I-10 in Segovia, Texas.
- August 21, 2:30 a.m.: Juan made two unanswered calls to friends in Los Angeles.
- August 21, 2:34 p.m.: Last seen on WhatsApp.
- August 28: Juan missed a scheduled flight to Los Angeles.
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On August 20 at 4:59 p.m., Juan’s truck was recorded passing through a toll on I-10 in Segovia, Texas. Although authorities have reviewed the footage, it remains unclear who was driving the vehicle.
“No, it didn’t look like him driving the vehicle, according to my mom or the deputy, but we’re not sure, and we don’t want to speculate,” said Jackie.
On August 21, Juan made two phone calls to friends in Los Angeles at around 2:30 a.m., but the calls were not answered, and no voicemail was left.
His phone has also been out of service since that morning, and he missed a planned flight to Los Angeles on August 28. His family grew increasingly worried when he failed to show up to work or make contact.
A veteran and former Marine, Juan served six years in Afghanistan and was diagnosed with PTSD after his service. Despite his struggles with mental health, Juan had a close bond with his family, particularly his mother.
“It’s been devastating for my family, especially my mom,” Jackie shared. “We recently lost my sister in a car accident, and now with Juan missing, she’s heartbroken. She feels like she’s losing all her children,” Jackie said. “He wouldn’t put my mom through anything like this. I don’t feel like he would just disappear. Something must have happened.”
Juan played a crucial role in his niece and nephew’s lives, making his disappearance even more difficult for the family to process.
“My niece and nephew just lost their mom, and they depended on Juan like a second parent,” Jackie shared. “It’s like they’ve lost two parents now.”
A man of faith, Juan finds solace in nature, enjoys hiking, and prefers a quiet, reflective lifestyle.
“He’s very spiritual, very kind-hearted,” his sister shared. “All we want is a sign that he’s okay. Even if he just wants to be left alone, we need to know he’s safe.”
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The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has opened a missing person’s case (Case No. 24A243812) and is asking anyone with information to come forward.
“If anyone has any information, no matter how small, please help us. Even anonymously,” Jackie pleaded. “We just want to know if he’s okay or, if he’s gone, to give him a proper, honorable military funeral.”
If you have any details regarding Juan’s disappearance, please contact the MCSO at 936-760-5800, ext. 3, and ask to speak with a deputy.
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