Family searching for missing Mendota Heights man

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. (KMSP) - In the woods behind the Mendota Heights Motel, a frantic search continued for 35-year-old Joey Hernandez who was reported missing on Monday.

Family members say he was visiting a girlfriend at the motel when he disappeared.

"It's like Joey not to call for maybe a week or two, but what concerned us was his car was still here and he doesn't leave without his car," Joey's aunt Michelle Hernandez said.

In recent days, investigators have served search warrants at the motel and Hernandez's car, but so far they say there's no sign of foul play.

"We don't have any tangible information that he is a victim of anything," Mendota Heights Police Capt. Kelly McCarthy said.

Family members say Hernandez had gotten out of jail just days before he went missing. His aunt says he was a kind, loving man.

"He'll reach out to help anybody, but at the same time Joey had some issues with drugs,” Michelle Hernandez said.

It's his lifestyle that she worries may have played a role in his disappearance, but his family and friends still holding out hope Hernandez will be found alive.