Mentally Ill San Jose Man Missing Since May 1

Family members are asking for help in locating a mentally ill San Jose man who disappeared just over a week ago.

Joseph Paul Cordova, 33, told his parents early May 1 that he was going out for a walk and has not been seen since, according to relatives. [Note: His age in this article is different than in the accompanying flyer. According to relatives, Cordova is 33.]

Cordova suffers from schizophrenia as well as diabetes and did not take his medications with him, said sister Josephine Cordova.

According to his sister, Cordova has been stabilized through his medication for the last few years and is not restricted to his home. He frequently takes walks and goes to the movies in San Jose, but has wandered off several times in the past.

“His reality is different than hours,” Josephine said. “He hears voices and has hallucinations. He’ll wander off and look for places that don’t exist.”

Cordova went missing just two weeks ago but was located by authorities in Tracy within several hours, Josephine said. Friends and family members are searching the Tracy area along with other destinations Cordova frequents.  

Cordova is a comic book and anime fan and likes to visit San Francisco’s Japantown, where he has been found in the past, his sister said.

The latest disappearance is the longest Cordova has been missing, which has caused alarm among friends and relatives who contacted Patch to help spread the word of his disappearance.

Cordova does not drive and rides public transportation to get around.

According to Josephine, Cordova did not take his cell phone with him and withdrew $80 from his bank the day he went missing.

“He could be anywhere,” Cordova’s sister said.

Cordova is described as a heavyset Filipino, weighing 260 pounds and 5-foot-4 in height. He was last seen wearing a brown suede jacket, a teal shirt, black basketball shorts and brown shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Jose Police Department’s Missing Persons hotline at 408-277-4786.