Latter-day Saint Missionary, 21, Dies in Sleep in New Mexico as Cause Remains Undetermined
A Church statement named him as Elder Caleb Gene Martin of Salem, Utah, announcing an autopsy to determine the medical cause.
Overview
- He died on Jan. 3, 2026, while serving in the New Mexico Farmington Mission.
- Church spokesman Sam Penrod released the statement Sunday, first published on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
- Officials said he died unexpectedly in his sleep from a medical cause not yet determined.
- An autopsy is planned to establish the cause of death.
- Martin had served as a full-time missionary since May 2024, and the Church extended condolences to his family, friends and fellow missionaries.