Missing Hackettstown woman’s phone used in Queens

HACKETTSTOWN – The search for a Hackettstown woman who left her home Sunday morning with packed bags and hasn’t returned continues, but authorities may have a lead as a call was made from her phone in New York City Tuesday afternoon, Hackettstown police said.

Through searching Krysten Mendez’s phone records, police determined the 24-year-old Hackettstown resident’s phone was used at 12:34 p.m. Tuesday in the Briarwood section on Queens, police said.

Hackettstown Sgt. Darren Tynan said that is the only call police are aware of on the phone since Mendez left Sunday morning.

Police cautioned anyone who located Mendez should call 911 immediately and not approach her due to her “mental impairment.”

Police did not clarify what was meant by “mental impairment” due to federal health privacy regulations, Tynan said.

Police are asking for the public’s help in locating Mendez, who was last seen at about 10:30 a.m. Sunday leaving her home on Sharp Street in Hackettstown.

Mendez is 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighs 194 pounds, and has black eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, red shorts, a silver ring on each hand, and carrying two black and white “duffel bag-type purses,” police said.

While Mendez’s destination is unknown, Tynan said there was a possibility Mendez was traveling to eastern New Jersey or the New York City area.

The matter is not being treated as suspicious, Tynan said.

“At this point it would appear she left on her own,” Tynan said. “We have been told this not a normal thing for her to do.”

Anyone with information that can assist police in safely locating Mendez should call 911 or the Hackettstown Police Department at 908-852-3300.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@dailyrecord.com