Manuel Flores, 56, was traveling from New York to Georgia in winter 2023 when he became ill and was hospitalized in Richmond, Virginia. His last known contact was December 30, 2023, the day he was discharged from that hospital. Since then family and friends have not heard from him and his whereabouts are unknown.

He is described as 5 feet 8 inches, about 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, usually wearing a beard and mustache. A tattoo on the left side of his neck is a distinguishing feature; his hair is usually short but has sometimes been shaggy. Investigators note he was in a city where he was not a resident and was en route to another state when contact stopped. The Richmond City Police Department is investigating and the case has been entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Details about the hospital, his illness, and what he had with him at discharge have not been released.

If anyone in Richmond or along Manuel’s travel route saw him after December 30, 2023, or has information about where he might be, please come forward.