On March 9, 2016, 17-year-old Jaime Fernandez Jr. went missing in Monterey County, California. At the time of his disappearance, Jaime was a senior at Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville and had plans to attend college after graduation. He is described as a Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes, standing at 5'10" and weighing 130 pounds. On the day he went missing, he was wearing a gray sweater and blue jeans.
The incident occurred in the Big Sur area, a rugged stretch of California's central coast. Jaime was with his cousin, hiking and sitting on rocks atop a 150-foot cliff when he slipped and fell. His cousin witnessed the fall and immediately called 911 for help. Law enforcement officers who responded to the scene saw Jaime lying unresponsive at the base of the cliff before he was carried away by the ocean's current.
The ocean conditions at the time were described as rough, which hampered rescue efforts. An extensive search was launched by the Monterey County Search and Rescue Team, which included a California Highway Patrol helicopter and the county's dive team. However, the dangerous water conditions made it unsafe for swimmers to enter the water. After more than a day of searching yielded no signs of the teenager, the search was suspended. Authorities believe his body was swept out to sea, and he is now presumed deceased. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office has stated they would reopen the search if any new leads emerge.
Last Seen: Mar 09, 2016
