Our family is reaching out to our community with heavy hearts and a desperate plea for help.

Our beloved Hanley J. Ernst has been missing since the evening of Friday, July 4, 2025. He was last seen at the Blue Lantern Plaza at The Point restaurant parking lot in Dana Point, California. Since that moment, there has been no contact, no sighting, and no word — leaving those who love him in a state of anguish that is impossible to put into words.

Hanley is one of the most generous, warm-hearted people you will ever meet. For over 30 years he has given his time, his energy, and his heart to this community as a tennis coach, a mentor, and a friend. If you have ever crossed paths with Hanley, you know the impression he leaves — his kindness, his humor, his genuine love for the people around him. His absence has created a void in our family and in our community that words simply cannot fill.

This is entirely out of character for Hanley. His family, friends, and community are devastated.

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WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP

In addition to law enforcement, we have brought on a seasoned private investigator with extensive experience in missing persons cases to work alongside OCSD and independently pursue leads that may require a different approach.

We are working closely with the Orange County Sheriff's Department (Case # 25-023325) and are pursuing every available resource to bring Hanley home safely.

As this investigation deepens, so do the costs. Advanced investigative work — including surveillance, forensic resources, database searches, and other technical aspects of this case — requires funding that goes beyond what a family in crisis can bear alone. Every dollar raised goes directly toward finding Hanley.

We are not asking for much from any one person. We are asking everyone who loves Hanley, or who believes in bringing a missing person home, to give what they can. No contribution is too small. Your generosity could be the difference that brings him home.

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IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION — PLEASE COME FORWARD

You do not have to identify yourself. If you have seen or been in contact with Hanley since July 4, 2025, or if you have any information — no matter how small it may seem — please reach out:

Orange County Sheriff's Department

(714) 647 —7000 Available 24/7

OC Crime Stoppers — 100% Anonymous

855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227)

occrimestoppers.org

Text: Send OCCS to CRIMES (274637)

No calls are recorded. No identifying information is collected. Tips leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. If you know something, you can come forward safely and privately — no one will ever know it was you.

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Please share this page with everyone in your network. Post it. Text it. Email it. The more people who see Hanley's face and know his story, the greater the chance he comes home.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your compassion, your generosity, and your willingness to help bring our Hanley home.

With love and gratitude,

The Ernst Family