SAN LEANDRO — Family members reported two East Bay friends missing within one day of each other, with their last known sightings in Alameda County.
Seven months later, there has been no trace of either 30-year-old Justin Wayne Lee or 35-year-old Esmeraldo Hernandez Vivero, and police say they’re ramping up efforts to find them.
Lee was reported missing out of San Leandro on May 14. Hernandez Vivero, who last contacted loved ones on May 15, was reported missing to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. The part of the county where he was last seen hasn’t been publicly revealed.
Authorities haven’t released information about the circumstances of their disappearances, but say both men were friends and part of the same social circle. Police haven’t ruled out foul play, and the California Attorney General has them listed on its missing person’s website.
Neither police nor Lee’s probation officer have been able to locate him. His probation officer began the search in late May, after Lee failed to show up for a scheduled meeting, due to a prior auto burglary conviction. The officer attempted to call and text him and talked to multiple family members, with no luck, according to court records.
Lee, who was known to frequent East Oakland, is described as Asian, about 5-foot-10 inches tall and weighing about 170 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He has “Clazbo” tattooed on his right forearm.
Vivero is described as Latino, about 5-foot-6 inches tall, 125 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. He has a tattoo of a diamond on his left cheek, a “510” tattoo on his left arm and unshaven facial hair.
According to the AG’s Office, anyone with information about Lee can contact the San Leandro Police Department at 510-577-2740. Tips about Vivero can be sent to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office at 510-667-3699.