Javier A. Mendez, 49, has been missing since August 16, 2019, after he and three other men failed to return from a boating trip near Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Mendez, along with Hector Méndez, 60, Héctor Méndez Jr., 30, and Victor Goitia, 59, disappeared in the waters between Isleta Marina and Cayo Icacos. The group was aboard a white 22-foot Proline boat named 'WEPA', built in 1990, with a mixed engine registered as TAB PR3344.
The United States Coast Guard initiated a search and rescue operation following a report that the vessel was experiencing mechanical issues. The extensive search began on a Friday afternoon and continued for five days, covering over 22,000 square nautical miles, an area roughly six times the size of Puerto Rico. The search area extended from the eastern municipalities of Fajardo, Vieques, and Culebra, and stretched more than 80 miles offshore along the northern coast of the island.
Despite the large-scale effort involving both air and surface units that conducted over 46 searches, no signs of the men or their vessel were found. The Coast Guard officially suspended the search at sunset on the following Tuesday. At the time of his disappearance, Javier Mendez was described as a Hispanic/Latino male, 5'0" in height, and weighing 165 pounds, with brown hair and black eyes. The case remains open and is being handled by the Policia de Puerto Rico.Last Seen: Aug 16, 2019
