Guardia Civil finds body of missing 24-year-old near Cañón de la Horadada in Palencia

Disappearance in Aguilar de Campoo

Spanish authorities launched a localized search operation on Monday, 5 October 2026, following the disappearance of a 24-year-old man in the northern province of Palencia. The individual, identified in missing person notices as Pedro B. S., went missing alongside his vehicle in the municipality of Aguilar de Campoo during the early morning hours. Shortly after the disappearance was reported, the association SOS Desaparecidos classified the case as high vulnerability and distributed a public alert across social networks to seek citizen collaboration. The notice described the man as having a slim build, black hair, and dark eyes. In addition, the organization specified that he was wearing red trousers with black knee pads, a blue t-shirt, and brown mountain footwear when last seen. The organization requested that anyone with relevant information contact its direct hotline at 868 286726 or send details to its official email address.

Multi-unit search operation

Upon receiving confirmation of the missing person during the early morning, the Guardia Civil command in Palencia organized, coordinated, and directed a multi-branch search deployment. The search covered rural paths, cliffs, and roads in and around Aguilar de Campoo. Participating ground assets included regular citizen security patrols, the nature protection service SEPRONA, and the citizen security command unit USECIC. Ground tracking was supplemented by the rural investigation unit ROCA and the PEGASO drone and air-security team. The Guardia Civil Air Service deployed a helicopter to scan forested zones, canyons, and inaccessible terrain from the air throughout the morning hours.

Discovery at Cañón de la Horadada

The search ended around 14:30 on Monday when officers located the body of the 24-year-old near the Cañón de la Horadada, a canyon area situated close to Aguilar de Campoo. Responding units arrived at the scene shortly after the discovery, but personnel were unable to provide life-saving assistance. The Guardia Civil confirmed the retrieval of the deceased man from the canyon perimeter. At the time of reporting, the armed institute had not released further findings concerning the specific circumstances of the event or the exact condition of the vehicle.

Reporting protocols for disappearances

Following the conclusion of the recovery operation, the Guardia Civil released guidance regarding missing person procedures for both adult and minor cases. The authority reiterated that families and acquaintances do not need to wait 24 hours before filing a formal police report, emphasizing that the initial hours are decisive for setting a precise search boundary.

From the Civil Guard we want to remember the importance of reporting as soon as possible any possible disappearance, both of minors and adults, it not being necessary to wait 24 hours to report a disappearance. The first moments are of great importance to be able to locate a missing person alive, also allowing the establishment of a much smaller and more precise search area.