Tragic Update

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Springfield, MA – The search for 57-year-old Juan Nieves has ended in heartbreak. Nieves, who was nonverbal and considered high-risk due to medical conditions including dementia, was located deceased on Saturday, February 14, 2026, in the area of Clough Street.

Nieves was last seen around 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 8, 2026 (Super Bowl Sunday), near Manor Court and Allen Street in Springfield. He had wandered from his home wearing only boxer shorts, a T-shirt, and sandals amid freezing temperatures, heightening concerns for his safety.

Springfield Police launched an intensive, multi-day search involving foot patrols, drones, K-9 units, helicopter surveillance from the State Police Air Wing, and appeals to residents in neighborhoods including East Forest Park, Forest Park, Sixteen Acres, and parts of East Longmeadow to check properties, sheds, and backyards.

On Saturday afternoon around 3 p.m., a detective followed footprints in the snow and discovered Nieves' body next to a residential building on the YWCA campus in the Clough Street area—roughly a half-mile (less than a mile in some reports) from his home at the Manor Court complex, where he lived with his elderly parents.

No foul play is suspected; the death is believed to be related to exposure given the weather and his attire/condition.

Springfield Police have offered their condolences to Nieves' family and thanked the community and law enforcement partners for their assistance during the exhaustive effort.

This heartbreaking outcome highlights the vulnerabilities faced by individuals with cognitive impairments in extreme cold and the importance of prompt reporting and community vigilance.

Our thoughts are with the Nieves family and all who knew him during this difficult time.