Methods and apparatus for expeditiously releasing network resources for a mobile station based on low battery and lost signal conditions are disclosed. The wireless network (104) receives a power down warning message from the mobile station (102) indicative of a low battery condition. The wireless network (104) then identifies whether a lost signal condition exists with the mobile station (102). In response to receiving the power down warning message and subsequently identifying the lost signal condition, the wireless network (104) causes network resources for the mobile station to be released. The wireless network (104) infers that the mobile station (102) has powered down due to low battery without enough time to send a power down registration to the wireless network (104).