Police Search In Salem For Missing Swampscott Mother
SALEM (CBS) – Hundreds of police officers from several towns are searching the area along Technology Way in Salem for a young mother from Swampscott who has been missing for six days.
Jaimee Mendez, 25, was last heard from on the evening of November 6 and was reported missing to Swampscott Police on Saturday morning, according to the Essex District Attorney's Office.
Investigators have been looking for her since then in various locations in Salem, Lynn and Swampscott.
Salem Police Chief Paul Tucker told reporters Wednesday's search is a result of operational meetings over the last couple of days. Tucker refused to answer questions about a possible suspect or a person of interest, saying only they are searching for a "missing person."
"We felt this was the best place to be. I know that some of the family members were up here. Obviously they're quite concerned, as we are as well. We understand their motivation. We also know that this is a police operation and there needs to be police officers out here," Tucker said.
A state police helicopter is expected to join the search once clouds and fog dissipate over the area.
Mendez has a 5-year-old son with autism and her family says she would never leave him for this long. She also has diabetes.
Her sister Alyssa Mendez told WBZ-TV Monday that Jamiee called two friends last Thursday, saying she felt uncomfortable with the man she was with that night. Her family says the man is a known sex offender.
"She said, 'listen I'm on this street I'm with this guy, he's making me really nervous, I want to get out of here,'" Alyssa Mendez said. "[Her friend] went to go pick up her up, she never showed, and her phone was off. That's the last anyone ever heard of her."
Alyssa Mendez said she spoke with the man her sister was with the night she disappeared.
"He had scratches on his face, he had scratches on his hands," Alyssa Mendez said. "It just didn't make sense, his story."
The family said Jaimee Mendez's jacket, cellphone, phone charger and ID were found in an industrial area next to some woods last weekend. Later, they said Jaimee Mendez's mother made another disturbing discovery in a dumpster at a CVS in Lynn: Jaimee Mendez's sneakers, some men's clothing and part of a rug.
Investigators have not commented on any possible evidence in the case.
Police were later seen searching a dumpster near the man's home in Lynn Tuesday afternoon. A minivan was also towed away from the scene.
"Not going to comment (on) anything to do with that part of the investigation that involves any vehicles or anybody that's a suspect. Not commenting at all. We're here today as part of a search to look for a missing person," Tucker said Wednesday.
Anyone with information is asked to call Swampscott Police at 781-595-1111.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports:
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