Sacramento family searches for missing veteran last seen in December
Sacramento family searches for missing veteran last seen in December
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
The family of 42-year-old Fong Thao, also known as Pao, is pleading for the public’s help in finding the missing veteran, who was last seen on Dec. 11, 2025.
“He would do anything for his family, his friends,” said Thao’s wife, Linda Lor.
Thao’s disappearance has left his loved ones searching for answers. “We love him and we miss him and we just want him back,” Lor said.
Thao, a veteran who served two tours in Iraq, suffered from insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to his wife.
Lor said his condition worsened in the days leading up to his disappearance, with new symptoms emerging.
“It started with a ringing in his ears from shooting all those bullets, and then it started to progress,” Lor said. “He found out that he wasn’t going to get an EMT appointment until March, and he just flipped out.”
Lor explained that Thao began experiencing panic attacks and talking about self-harm, which led to a visit to the emergency room.
The following day, the couple went out to walk their dog and Thao started walking the other direction. His wife says he didn’t have his wallet, identification, or car keys.
She says his parents, siblings, and friends haven’t heard from him since.
The Sacramento Police Department has been actively investigating the case, utilizing tools such as helicopters when he first went missing. Despite receiving tips, they have yet to locate Thao.
“This really tugs at the heartstrings of a lot of people,” Gamble said. “A lot of our members in this police department are former veterans, and we want to know where he is. We hope that he’s safe.”
Thao’s family remains hopeful but deeply concerned. “How can a person cross the street and disappear? It just does not make any sense,” Lor said. “I feel like something terrible has happened, but I don’t know.”
The family is organizing another search party in the Discovery Park area on August 15. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sacramento Police Department.