Missing former NIU student found in hospital

By ALAN EDRINN

A former NIU student from Aurora who was reported missing March 21 was found in California over the weekend, police said.

Pilar Hernandez, 22, was found at a hospital in California after last being seen by his roommates at his apartment at University Heights, 1110 Varsity Boulevard. Hernandez had not been heard or seen since March 21 and gave no indication of where he was going.

DeKalb Police Lt. Gary Spangler couldn’t comment on why he was in the California hospital, but confirmed Hernandez had previously been arrested in February on sexual assault charges.

Before leaving, Hernandez took most of his belongings from his apartment and left a note to his roommates that said he would be back Saturday or Sunday. He had not contacted his family in over two weeks, and Hernandez’s roommates told investigators he had been acting different, more closed off and distant.