Ernest C. Otero, a 45-year-old Hispanic man born September 1, 1957, vanished from Bernalillo County, New Mexico, in August 2003. On August 8 he left home and left a note saying he was "going away to think." The family heard from him one more time on August 11; after that contact he disappeared and did not return.

Ernest’s daughter reported him missing to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department on August 13, 2003. The investigation remains open and is now classified as a cold case; few public details about the circumstances of his disappearance have been released. The outline of the case is sparse: a man left home intending to be alone and then stopped communicating, leaving family with unanswered questions.

If anyone knew Ernest, saw him in Bernalillo County in August 2003, or has information about his whereabouts, please share what you know.