The U.S. Navy has confirmed that Culinary Specialist Seaman Sergio Valoura was located safely nearly two weeks after he went missing from his assigned duties aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
His disappearance had prompted a multi-agency search and sparked concern among military personnel and family members.
Valoura, who enlisted in the Navy on July 12, 2023, had been assigned to the Abraham Lincoln as his first duty station following training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois, and Naval Technical Training Center Detachment at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia.
On May 30, he left the ship and failed to return for duty, triggering immediate concern among the ship’s leadership and crew.
Here's What They're Not Telling You About Your Retirement
According to a Naval Air Forces spokesperson, the crew of the Abraham Lincoln initiated a search for Valoura shortly after his absence was noted.
When their efforts proved unsuccessful, the Navy escalated the matter to the Navy Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and local law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
After nearly two weeks with no word on Valoura’s whereabouts, a breakthrough came on June 11 when NCIS agents located him in Glendale, California.
The agency did not disclose the exact circumstances of how he was found or why he had disappeared, but confirmed that his safety had been their primary concern throughout the search.
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
“USS Abraham Lincoln leadership is thankful for the professionalism of NCIS and LAPD in ensuring Seaman Valoura’s safety and well-being,” the Navy spokesperson told Navy Times in an emailed statement.
Following his discovery, Valoura was transferred on June 16 to the Naval Medical Center San Diego for a comprehensive medical evaluation.
While the Navy has not provided additional details regarding his condition or the reasons behind his absence, officials emphasized that he is now safe and in the custody of his command.
The Abraham Lincoln, homeported at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, had recently returned from a five-month deployment in the Middle East. The ship came back to San Diego on December 20, 2024.
During its mission, the carrier played a role in deterring Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels—part of a broader U.S. presence in the region aimed at maintaining stability and countering hostile threats.
Valoura’s case marks the second reported instance of a sailor going missing in May.
Just weeks before his recovery, another troubling incident occurred involving Naval Station Norfolk sailor Angelina Petra Resendiz, 21.
Resendiz had been reported missing after she vanished from her barracks at Miller Hall on base. Tragically, she was found dead on June 9 in a wooded area in Norfolk, Virginia, two weeks after her disappearance.
Authorities have since placed another sailor in pretrial confinement in connection with Resendiz’s death, though the investigation remains ongoing. The incident has underscored concerns about the safety and well-being of service members, particularly those in their early stages of military service.
While the Navy has not connected the two disappearances, the proximity of the events in time has highlighted the challenges military leadership faces in ensuring personnel accountability and addressing individual mental health and welfare concerns.
The recovery of Seaman Valoura brings a measure of relief amid recent tragedies.
However, many questions remain unanswered. The Navy has yet to clarify whether his disappearance was voluntary, related to personal issues, or connected to any broader concern requiring institutional attention.
For now, the Navy has assured the public that Valoura is undergoing proper medical evaluation and will continue to be cared for as he reintegrates into his duties.
“Seaman Valoura’s safety is our priority,” the NCIS said in an emailed statement, emphasizing that further steps would be taken in accordance with Navy procedures and medical recommendations.
As the Navy continues to investigate and reflect on recent events, the hope is that improved support systems and early interventions will help prevent future disappearances and protect the men and women who serve.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.