Hector Jr. Mendez, a 30-year-old Hispanic male, has been missing since August 8, 2019, after the boat he was on disappeared off the coast of Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Mendez, along with three other men, set out on a 22-foot white Proline recreational vessel named "Wepa". The group was last seen near Icacos Cay, an island off the coast of Fajardo. An initial report indicated that the boat was experiencing mechanical problems.
The other individuals on the boat with Hector Jr.
Mendez were his father, Hector Méndez Sr., 60, Javier Méndez, 52, and Victor Goitia, 59. The operator of the boat contacted a towing and salvage company for assistance due to engine failure, but when the company's vessel arrived at the reported location approximately 30 minutes later, they could not find the boat. The Coast Guard was officially notified 24 hours later when the boat failed to return to Villa Marina in Fajardo as expected.
An extensive search and rescue operation was launched by the U.S. Coast Guard and other Puerto Rican agencies. Over five days, search efforts covered more than 22,000 square nautical miles, an area roughly six times the size of Puerto Rico, extending from the waters between Fajardo, Vieques, and Culebra to over 80 miles offshore along the northern coast of the island. Despite the large-scale search involving both air and sea assets, no sign of the men or their boat was found. The search was officially suspended at sunset on August 13, 2019.
Hector Jr. Mendez is described as being between 5'0" and 7'0" tall and weighing approximately 230 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. The case of his disappearance, along with the other three men, was reported to the Policia de Puerto Rico on August 16, 2019. The men are relatives of prominent figures in Puerto Rico, including the president of the House of Representatives, Carlos "Johnny" Méndez, and Fajardo's first lady, Diana Méndez.Last Seen: Aug 8, 2019
