Panama records ten elderly disappearances amid 57 cases reported in 2026

Panama's Specialized Missing Persons Unit of the Public Ministry reports that ten elderly individuals remain missing in 2026, out of a total of 57 reported cases this year. Of those, 47 have been located. The office of prosecutor Gustavo Barragán notes that most cases involve seniors who voluntarily leave home or are absent due to health problems, while a smaller share stem from other circumstances.

In 2025, 100 elderly disappearance reports were filed, and 12 of the missing seniors were later found deceased – three from homicide, two by drowning, one in a traffic incident and six from illness. Authorities urge families to file reports promptly, provide recent photographs and details of daily routines, and stress that swift, detailed information aids the search and any subsequent criminal investigation.