The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in the case of a missing Eight Mile man, 38-year-old Andrew Hensley, who has not been seen since the end of August. Deputies say Hensley was last seen on Aug. 31 at his family’s home in the Eight Mile area, and his family has since reported him missing.
As of the sheriff’s office’s latest information, investigators did not know what clothing Hensley might be wearing. Anyone who has seen him or knows where he may be is asked to contact the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office.
What Deputies Have Released
The sheriff’s office has shared only a few details so far. Here is what is known:
- Name: Andrew Hensley
- Age: 38
- Height: 5 feet 8 inches
- Weight: 180 pounds
- Last seen: Aug. 31, at the family home in the Eight Mile area
- Clothing: Unknown
Deputies said Hensley’s family reported him missing on a Sunday. The sheriff’s office has not released information about any possible destination, vehicle or circumstances surrounding his disappearance. As of Sept. 22, more than three weeks had passed since he was last seen.
How to Help
Anyone with information about Hensley’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office. If you see someone you believe may be Hensley and there is any concern for his immediate safety, call 911.
When sharing a tip, investigators generally find the following details most useful:
- The exact date, time and location where you believe you saw him
- What he was wearing and whether he appeared to be alone
- Any vehicle he may have been in or near
- The direction he was traveling, if known
- Any photos or video, such as doorbell or security camera footage, that may show him
Residents in and around Eight Mile can also help by checking home security cameras and trail cameras for footage from around Aug. 31 and the days after, and by sharing the sheriff’s office’s official missing person notice on social media. Sharing official notices, rather than rumors or unverified information, helps keep the focus on accurate details that can lead to a safe return.
Even a tip that seems minor, or a sighting you are not completely sure about, can be worth reporting. Investigators can rule out information that does not pan out, but they cannot follow up on a lead no one shares. If you believe you see Hensley, deputies generally ask that you note his location and call authorities rather than trying to intervene yourself, particularly if he appears to be in distress.
It also helps to think back to the days around Aug. 31. Neighbors, co-workers, friends and store clerks in the area may have seen or spoken with Hensley without realizing he would later be reported missing. A conversation, a phone call, a text message or a social media post from around that time could help investigators build a clearer timeline of his movements.
Missing Adults: What Families Should Know
Cases involving missing adults can be complicated. Unlike children, adults have the legal right to go where they choose, and some people leave on their own for personal reasons. Others go missing because of a medical condition, a mental health crisis, an accident or other circumstances that put them at risk. Because investigators often cannot tell right away which situation they are dealing with, law enforcement agencies encourage families to report concerns promptly.
A common misconception is that a person must be gone for 24 or 48 hours before a missing person report can be filed. Law enforcement agencies generally advise that there is no need to wait, especially if the person’s absence is out of character or there is reason to believe they may be in danger. Families who are worried about a loved one should contact their local police department or sheriff’s office as soon as possible.
Helpful information for families to have ready when making a report includes a recent photo, a physical description, any medical conditions or medications, the person’s phone number and vehicle information, and a list of friends, relatives and places the person might go.
Nationally, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, known as NamUs, maintains a public database of missing persons cases and offers resources to families and investigators. Families of missing adults can ask the investigating agency about entering their loved one’s case into the system.
About the Eight Mile Area
Eight Mile is an unincorporated community in north Mobile County, located north of the city of Mobile and near Prichard, Chickasaw and Semmes. The community is largely residential, with neighborhoods, churches and small businesses along its main roads. Because much of the area lies outside city limits, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office handles law enforcement for large portions of the community, which is why deputies are leading the search for Hensley.
The sheriff’s office is responsible for patrol and investigations in unincorporated areas across Mobile County, from the Eight Mile and Semmes areas in the north to communities along the coast in the south. Missing person cases handled by the office are investigated by deputies and detectives, who follow up on tips submitted by the public.
Anyone With Information
If you have seen Andrew Hensley since Aug. 31 or have any information that could help locate him, contact the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office. For emergencies, call 911. Updates on the search will be released by the sheriff’s office as they become available.