LAKEWOOD – The body of a 29-year-old man who was missing for almost three weeks has been found. Now, a full police investigation is underway.
The attorney for the family of Mauri Mendez confirmed to Jersey Shore Online that he was found inside a vehicle in the parking lot of ShopRite in Wall Township.
Attorney Jef Henninger said Mendez was last seen leaving his Lakewood residence in a four door, tan Chevy Blazer with license plate number F62LZU back on August 27.
Mendez’s last communication to his family was a text to his mother that same day to advise that he would meet with her at his sister’s house. He never showed up and his phone is no longer on.
Mendez’s car was in the shop and the vehicle he was driving was borrowed with permission from his mother’s boyfriend.
“The family is devastated as this was not the outcome that anyone expected,” said Henninger. He added “No one plans to bury their 29 year old son, they do not have money set aside for his funeral expenses.”
A GoFundMe page has been established to help defray the costs of the funeral.
Henninger thanked the local media for sharing his picture in hopes that someone would be able to find him.
The incident is under investigation by the Lakewood Police Department.
