JPD and AST search for missing person, Paul Jose Rodriguez Jr.

Photo provided by JPD

JUNEAU, Alaska (KINY) – The Juneau Police Department (JPD) and Alaska State Troopers (AST) are trying to locate 43-year-old Juneau resident Paul Jose Rodriguez Jr., who is believed to have died on 7/11. has disappeared. 2023, somewhere in the Mendenhall Glacier area.

At approximately 5:29 p.m. on 7/16/2023, United States Forest Service officials reported that a vehicle had been abandoned in the Mendenhall Visitors Center parking lot since 7/11/2023; The U.S. Forest Service saw a man believed to be associated with the vehicle walking towards the glacier in a T-shirt, an ice ax and a climbing helmet.

JPD responded at the scene, located the vehicle in the lot and confirmed the vehicle was registered to 43-year-old Juneau resident Paul Jose Rodriguez Jr. During the initial investigation, JPD learned that Rodriguez was last arrested on 7/7. was seen by his roommate. 10/2023. Friends reported that Rodriguez made a social media post on July 11, 2023 that showed a kayak on a beach that appears to be near Nugget Falls on the glacier. JPD notified AST, which began coordinating searches in the area. JPD learned that on 7/11/2023, an unattended kayak similar to the kayak featured in Rodriguez’s social media post was found floating on Mendenhall Lake.

AST and SEADOGS continue to search for Rodriguez in the Mendenhall Lake and Glacier area. Family members were informed of the missing persons report.

Paul Rodriguez is described as a 43-year-old male, approximately 1.70 m tall and weighing approximately 75 kg. A photo of Mr. Rodriguez can be found on the JPD Facebook page for the contribution to this press release. Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts please contact the JPD Department at 907-586-0600.

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