Authorities in Costa Rica are searching for a missing U.S. citizen identified as Reeves Robert James Wade, according to the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ).

Officials said the 52-year-old man was reported missing on Sunday, April 5. He was last seen a few days earlier, on Friday, April 3, in a public area near Flores Canton, in Heredia Province.

Although the missing-person report was filed on Sunday, authorities did not immediately make the case public. Officials said such delays are not unusual, as investigators often attempt to develop initial leads before requesting assistance from the public. Those early efforts produced limited results, prompting authorities to release information about the case.

According to investigators, Wade has lived in Costa Rica for many years and has obtained official residency status, known as DIMEX.

Additional details about the case have not been disclosed due to the ongoing investigation. Authorities said only Wade’s immediate family members may request further information.

The Judicial Investigation Organization is asking anyone with information that could help locate Wade to come forward. Tips can be submitted confidentially through the agency’s 10-digit hotline at 800-8000-645 or via WhatsApp at 8800-0645.

Recently, another U.S. citizen reported missing, 75-year-old Warren Francis Vogt, was found dead near Nosara Beach in Nicoya Canton, Guanacaste Province, 48 hours after authorities publicly released information about his disappearance.

According to the U.S. Embassy, its personnel assist in locating U.S. citizens overseas when relatives or friends express concern about their welfare or need to notify them of emergencies at home.

The U.S. Department of State and U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide handle more than 200,000 welfare and whereabouts inquiries each year, according to information published on the embassy’s website.

Individuals seeking assistance in locating a U.S. citizen abroad are encouraged to provide as much information as possible, including the caller’s full name, address, phone number and relationship to the individual; the name of the person abroad; date and place of birth; passport number, if known; last known address and phone number; reason for travel or residence abroad; travel itinerary; date of last contact; and other points of contact, such as friends, business associates or hotels.

The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica provides in-person assistance at its facilities in Pavas, San José. Assistance is also available by email at ACSSanJose@state.gov or by phone at +(506) 2519-2000.

The OIJ, a branch of the Supreme Court of Justice, is responsible for conducting criminal investigations nationwide.

A.M. Costa Rica encouraged readers to share the missing-person alert within their networks.

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What have you heard about unsolved cases of missing U.S. citizens in Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com