Search for missing Swampscott woman goes under water

LYNN – State Police divers searched Floating Bridge Pond Tuesday in connection with missing Swampscott mom Jaimee Mendez and, after coming up empty, said they plan to continue the search today.”Divers searched areas along both sides of Route 107 (Western Avenue) and two other locations on the north side of the pond easily accessed from Victory Road,” Massachusetts State Police spokesperson David Procopio said in a press release. “The dive team will return to the pond (Wednesday) to continue the search utilizing side-scan sonar technology deployed from a boat.”Meanwhile, Mendez’ family asked for continued support but acknowledged feeling little hope.”We’re not looking for someone who is alive,” Alyssa Mendez, Jaimee’s sister told reporters at the scene. She mentioned that Jaimee was a Type I diabetic who needed insulin. The chances are very slight that Jaimee Mendez had run into somebody who had insulin available, Alyssa Mendez said.Jaimee Mendez, 25, was reported missing by her family on Nov. 8. Police said the family said they last saw Mendez Nov. 6 at around 6:40 p.m. Mendez later was in the company of a man whom she said made her nervous, and she called a friend to come and pick her up, the family said. The friend showed up, but Mendez was nowhere to be found, the family told reporters.Salem, Lynn, Swampscott and State Police all joined the search for Mendez Nov. 9, reportedly recovering her phone and jacket from a Salem technology park. SWAT vehicles, K-9 units and police cruisers from towns as far as Pepperrell last Wednesday searched locations in Salem, Lynn and Swampscott including and adjacent to the technology park.Meanwhile, the man whom Mendez was reportedly with, Jason Fleury, told The Item he last saw Mendez walking away from his car after a drug deal and denied being involved in the disappearance. Police have not identified any suspects or charged anybody in the disappearance.Members of the dive team entered the waters of Floating Bridge Pond at approximately 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. The search lasted approximately 3? hours.Mendez’ friend Alicia Cochrane said police should have searched the pond earlier, and that police “should be doing a lot more,” as Mendez had gone missing nearly two weeks earlier.