CA CA - Hanley Ernst, 48, Laguna Niguel, 4 Jul 2025

[TwinkieDefense]

July 16, 2025 short article

Man Missing In Dana Point Since July 4: Have You Seen Hanley?

Authorities sought the public's help in finding a missing 48-year-old Laguna Niguel man on Wednesday.

patch.com

 

[GraceG]

There are a number of people responding to the Sheriff's missing persons poster that know him as a local tennis coach that state his last name is spelled ERNST, not EMST. Checking other sources to verify and found him listed as an ATP tour Tennis player with year of birth 1977 which would be the right age. . .https://www.atptour.com/en/players/hanley-ernst/h550/overview

Spelling correct in NameUS. Missing Person / NamUs #MP147470

 

[truthfinder2019]

According to NamUs, the outfit in this photo is what Hanley was last seen wearing the night he left

He was believed to be heading to Scenic Drive in Dana Point to watch the fireworks show.

 

[truthfinder2019]

His instagram

https://www.instagram.com/hanleyjernst/

His fb

Hanley Ernst

Hanley Ernst is on Facebook. Join Facebook to connect with Hanley Ernst and others you may know. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected.

www.facebook.com

Nothing relevant in these social media

 

[TwinkieDefense]

Thank you for the correct spelling of his last name @GraceG. I have requested spell correction by mods.

 

[truthfinder2019]

There are a number of people responding to the Sheriff's missing persons poster that know him as a local tennis coach that state his last name is spelled ERNST, not EMST. Checking other sources to verify and found him listed as an ATP tour Tennis player with year of birth 1977 which would be the right age. . .https://www.atptour.com/en/players/hanley-ernst/h550/overview

Spelling correct in NameUS. Missing Person / NamUs #MP147470

There is a public record of an arrest in late 2024 for drugs, could this be related ?

Hanley J Ernst Arrest Record Details | Local Crime News in Orange County, California - 92901112

Hanley J Ernst of Laguna Niguel, age 48, was arrested for Possession Controlled Substance For Sale in Orange County, California on December 20, 2024 by Orange County Sheriff. This arrest data includes all information on current and previous arrests for Hanley J Ernst

www.localcrimenews.com

 

[GraceG]

There is a public record of an arrest in late 2024 for drugs, could this be related ?

Hanley J Ernst Arrest Record Details | Local Crime News in Orange County, California - 92901112

Hanley J Ernst of Laguna Niguel, age 48, was arrested for Possession Controlled Substance For Sale in Orange County, California on December 20, 2024 by Orange County Sheriff. This arrest data includes all information on current and previous arrests for Hanley J Ernst

www.localcrimenews.com

The link you provided is a crime scene news report so I went digging for an actual court record (Seriously, California makes it as hard as possible to find arrest records). From the Superior Court, County of Orange, originating Court - Harbor - Newport Beach Facility. Case Name Search | Superior Court of California | County of Orange

Found it! He is out on bond with an upcoming hearing on charges in early August. Note, the battery charges are NOT duplicates but separate counts. The only other thing on record is a minor traffic ticket (registration) from 2024.

Orange County Case Number: 24HF2493
Defendant: Ernst, Hanley Justin
Case Status: Open
Case Stage: Release Status: Released on Bail DMV Hold: N
Charging Document: Complaint Mandatory Appearance: Y
Case Info
Counts
11 counts found, displaying all counts.
Seq S/A Violation Date Section Statute OL Violation Plea Plea Date Disposition Dispo Date
1 0 12/19/2024 69(a) PC F Obstruct or resist executive officer (plea) NOT GUILTY 12/23/2024
2 0 12/19/2024 11351 HS F Possession of controlled substance with intent to sell (plea) NOT GUILTY 12/23/2024
3 0 12/19/2024 23152(f) VC M Driving under the influence of drug (plea) NOT GUILTY 12/23/2024
4 0 12/19/2024 243(b) PC M Battery on peace officer/emergency personnel, etc (plea) NOT GUILTY 12/23/2024
5 0 12/19/2024 243(b) PC M Battery on peace officer/emergency personnel, etc (plea) NOT GUILTY 12/23/2024
6 0 12/19/2024 148(a)(1) PC M Resisting public or peace officer (plea) NOT GUILTY 12/23/2024
7 0 12/19/2024 148(a)(1) PC M Resisting public or peace officer (plea) NOT GUILTY 12/23/2024
8 0 12/19/2024 148(a)(1) PC M Resisting public or peace officer (plea) NOT GUILTY 12/23/2024
9 0 12/19/2024 148(a)(1) PC M Resisting public or peace officer (plea) NOT GUILTY 12/23/2024
10 0 12/19/2024 148(a)(1) PC M Resisting public or peace officer (plea) NOT GUILTY 12/23/2024
11 0 12/19/2024 11364(a) HS M Possession of controlled substance paraphernalia (plea) NOT GUILTY 12/23/2024

Scheduled Hearings
One hearing found.1
Date Time Hearing Type - Reason Courtroom
08/08/2025 08:30 AM Preliminary Hearing - H1

Heard Hearings
7 hearings found, displaying all hearings.1
Date Time Hearing Type - Reason Courtroom Hearing Status
12/23/2024 09:30 AM Arraignment In Custody CJ1 Cancel
12/23/2024 09:30 AM Arraignment In Custody C49 Heard
01/02/2025 08:30 AM Pre Trial - H1 Heard
01/06/2025 08:30 AM Preliminary Hearing - H1 Cancel
02/27/2025 08:30 AM Pre Trial - H1 Heard
04/29/2025 08:30 AM Preliminary Hearing - H1 Heard
06/25/2025 08:30 AM Preliminary Hearing - H1 Heard

Release Info
Bonds
One bond found.1
Details Bail Date Post Amount Bondsman Surety
Details... 12/26/2024 $5,000.00 Aladdin Bail Bonds Seaview Insurance Company

 

[TwinkieDefense]

Missing Person / NamUs #MP147470

View NamUs missing persons case MP147470, for Hanley Justin Ernst, missing from Laguna Niguel, California. Date of last contact: Jul 04, 2025. NCMEC case number: --.

namus.nij.ojp.gov

 

[truthfinder2019]

Missing Person / NamUs #MP147470

View NamUs missing persons case MP147470, for Hanley Justin Ernst, missing from Laguna Niguel, California. Date of last contact: Jul 04, 2025. NCMEC case number: --.

namus.nij.ojp.gov

Circumstances of Disappearance
Hanley was last seen leaving his residence with a friend to go watch fireworks in the Dana Point area. Hanley never came home. Hanley has never gone missing before, and is always in contact with his family.

BBM
What did the friend observe, say ?

 

[JusticeForHanley]

Circumstances of Disappearance
Hanley was last seen leaving his residence with a friend to go watch fireworks in the Dana Point area. Hanley never came home. Hanley has never gone missing before, and is always in contact with his family.

BBM
What did the friend observe, say ?

The friend says he doesn't know what happened to Hanley. They left together in Hanley's car.. then the friend drove around all night in the car. Then left the car in front of Hanley's house around 4am with the keys and Hanley's wallet still inside.