AlamogordoTownNews.org reports that the search for Troy Buhrman, a 38-year-old man from Ruidoso, has come to a heartbreaking conclusion. Buhrman, who went missing while hiking in the La Luz Canyon area in late December, has been found deceased in Laborcita Canyon, an area that had not been previously searched. His family and friends are devastated by the loss.
Authorities had suspended the official search for Buhrman at the end of January, after weeks of tireless efforts by law enforcement and volunteers. Buhrman, who was last seen on December 27, 2024, had driven his 1995 black Dodge pickup truck to La Luz Canyon. The truck was discovered by a local resident on a dirt road, but there were no signs of Buhrman’s whereabouts at that time.
The Otero County Sheriff’s Office alerted the New Mexico State Police on December 29, 2024, and requested their assistance in the search. Search and rescue teams, along with numerous volunteers, scoured the area around Bridal Veil Falls, believing it to be the location where Buhrman may have gone missing. Alamogordo Police also contributed by using drones, while Otero County deputies conducted their own ground searches. Despite their extensive efforts, they were unable to locate Buhrman.
Buhrman was described by the Department of Public Safety as having short brown hair, a mustache, and a goatee, and was wearing eyeglasses when last seen. He had on jeans, brown boots, a black and red checkered flannel shirt over a red T-shirt, and a spider-web tattoo on his right elbow.
Search efforts intensified on January 12, 2025, after a piece of Buhrman’s jacket was discovered, prompting another search in the La Luz Canyon area. Volunteers, along with teams using dogs and a drone, combed through the area but found no new leads.
Family members, including Buhrman’s aunt, Donna Garcia, had reported that Buhrman grew up in La Luz and that his grandfather had spoken to him about gold in the mountains. This sparked concern that Buhrman may have been searching for gold and became trapped in an old mine. A note found near the torn jacket piece mentioned gold, fueling these fears.
Sadly, the search ended with the discovery of Buhrman’s body in Laborcita Canyon, a location that had not been previously covered in earlier searches. Police have not released additional details, as the investigation is ongoing.
Buhrman’s family is now making funeral arrangements and plans to hold a memorial service. They have promised to provide more information about the service in the coming days as they grieve the loss of a beloved family member .
