In the quiet community of Centereach, New York, a family was forever changed when 16-year-old Andres Mendez-Rivas, also known as Lenny, was last seen on December 11, 2021. Andres, a Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes, stood at approximately 5'1' and weighed around 125 pounds at the time of his disappearance. He is distinguished by having three missing upper front teeth. On the day he went missing, the clothing he was wearing was unknown.
The circumstances surrounding his disappearance were initially unclear, with authorities noting only that they were unknown juvenile circumstances. Andres, who is a Spanish speaker, was believed to be in good physical and mental health when he vanished.
As the investigation into Andres's disappearance began, further details emerged suggesting he may have traveled after he was last seen. Authorities received information that he might have made his way to the Fairmont Park area of Norfolk, Virginia. It was also believed that he could be in the company of a male relative. Further leads suggested that he might have traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, and could potentially be using the alias 'Juan'. The search for Andres was complicated by the fact that he reportedly disappeared along with his brother, Nery Pinto-Rivas, after they both failed to return to their home on Hammond Lane.
The case of Andres Mendez-Rivas remains an active and concerning missing person investigation. Since he was last seen, he has aged into young adulthood. The Suffolk County Police Department's Sixth Precinct is handling the case, and they continue to seek any information that could lead to his whereabouts. The lack of concrete information and the passage of time have been agonizing for those who know and love him. The overview of this case is one of a young man who vanished without a clear explanation, leaving behind a family searching for answers. The various leads pointing to different locations across the country have made the search for him a widespread and challenging effort.Last Seen: Dec 11, 2021
