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Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 2:30 AM
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Missing Silver Springs man is murder suspect

Missing Silver Springs man is murder suspect
Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday issued a press release asking for the public’s help to locate a missing Silver Springs man.

The man, Santiago “Sonny” Fernandez, 45, of Silver Springs, was charged with open murder in the shooting of Robert Buchanan III of Silver Springs last October at Chevron on U.S. 95A in Silver Springs. He was free on $500,000 bail and a court hearing in the case was scheduled for July 17.

The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office said Fernandez’s family members became concerned when they could not contact him for several days. He has been missing since June 30.

Fernandez is reported to have not shown up for work since June 28. He works construction in the Reno/Sparks Area.

LCSO said a vehicle that Fernandez was known to operate was located in the Silver Springs area of Lyon County, which led investigators to a residence in Silver Springs. After a search of the residence, investigators recovered evidence that leads them to believe Fernandez may be endangered.

Santiago “Sonny” Fernandez


Fernandez is also known to drive a green truck described as a late 1990s or early 2000s Chevy or GMC pickup truck. The license plate is not known at this time; however, the truck has a distinctive sticker in the back window. The sticker is described as white in color and is in the shape of a skull with a bandana partially covering the face of the skull.

Fernandez is a white male, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 195 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.
Fernandez has family ties to the Reno/Sparks area, as well as Fallon and Silver Springs. The Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division (Agency Case Number: 17LY02525) at (775) 577-5206. You can also contact Secret Witness at 775-322-4900, www.secretwitness.com.

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Comment author: Kayla Allen Comment text: Suzie was a wonderful woman. I was pleased to call her my "godmother" as she helped me to become a better version of myself. I think about her a lot. Comment publication date: 7/10/26, 8:31 PM Comment source: Susanne Lynn Foster Comment author: Sheena Nash Comment text: After the trivia night is over, I would love for you to print the questions. I grew up in Fernley and would be interested to see how many answers I know. The coin is beautiful. Congrats on 25 years as a city! Comment publication date: 6/22/26, 1:38 PM Comment source: City of Fernley planning 25th anniversary celebration with three days of community events C Comment author: Carl C. Hagen Comment text: Maybe there is more to this story than what is reported, but it seems to me that the businesses that are causing this problem ought to be paying for this, or at least a major portion of it. Why does the County have to pay the whole bill? Just my opinion. Comment publication date: 5/7/26, 10:26 AM Comment source: Storey County, Tesla partner to extend I-80 Patrick on-ramp Comment author: Alan Reeder Comment text: Great guy, laughed easily, had fun with his students, enjoyed our time together at FHS! Comment publication date: 4/23/26, 10:23 PM Comment source: Howard David Jackson Comment author: Jack & Nancy Cook Comment text: Wonderful man. Created a precious family with Linda. Will always respect and admire his contribution to teaching at FHS. Comment publication date: 4/18/26, 10:27 AM Comment source: Howard David Jackson Comment author: JeffDickerson Comment text: Very well reported, even though our motion was denied. Comment publication date: 4/15/26, 11:05 AM Comment source: Judge allows Fernley City Council to proceed with corrective agenda item in Lau expulsion case
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