Tempe Police say a body was discovered Wednesday at a construction site near McClintock Drive and Weber Drive, the same area where multiple agencies have spent days searching for 91‑year‑old Apolonio Romero, who has been missing since January 3. Officials have not yet confirmed the identity of the individual, and the Medical Examiner will make the formal determination.

Romero, who reportedly has a medical condition that causes confusion and disorientation, was last seen near Scottsdale and Curry roads earlier this month, according to a SAFE Alert issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. His disappearance prompted a large‑scale search involving Tempe Fire, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Scottsdale Police, Salt River Police, volunteers, and family members.

Police said the discovery of the body occurred during ongoing search efforts and emphasized that the investigation remains active. “We understand how deeply this ongoing search has affected the community, and we ask for continued patience and compassion as the identification process and investigation move forward,” the department said in a statement.

SAFE Alerts—Arizona’s replacement for Silver Alerts—are used to notify the public about missing adults 65 and older or individuals with dementia or cognitive disabilities. Authorities say they will release updates as soon as more information becomes available.