INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- Police in Independence are taking new steps to find a man who has been missing for more than six months. On Tuesday morning, police were in the area of 40 Highway and Lee’s Summit Road. This location is just outside of Independence city limits, as you enter neighboring Kans as City. Investigators were in the area searching for Andre Martinez II. By the end of the day Tuesday, nearly 30 acres would have been searched in hopes of finding him. FOX4 aired his story in November. “I’m just grateful people are still searching for him and trying to find answers,” Andre Martinez’ sister, Ashley Lamison shared with FOX4 Tuesday. “It took a lot of planning and coordinating and I am really grateful for the turnout today. Hoping to find something on my brother.” Lamison believes this location is important to the case. Investigators do, too. Slim chance for northern lights in some states due to ‘high speed stream’ from Sun “We still don't have a lot of information, but we know this area seems to be where he was last seen (and) last spoken with,” his sister said. “This has been a nightmare for me and family. We just need some closure. Hoping to find some information or hoping to find my brother.” The Independence Police Department has been working his missing persons case since August 2024. “The Investigations Unit has been working this case since he went missing from late August from a motel up the street,” Independence Police Department’s Bryan Conley shared with FOX4. “This case has been going on since August. The family is out here. The family would like an answer and some closure on this case.” With the search Tuesday, many were hoping for any information, evidence or resolution. Andre Martinez II was last seen at a nearby hotel just up the way from the stretch of wooded property that was searched Tuesday. Martinez hasn't had contact with his family since late August 2024. “Obviously, the hope on any missing persons case, is we find them alive and well,” Conley said. “Answers for the family. Leads to follow up on. More information.” Ashley Lamison is hoping to find her brother. He’s also a father. “We all are just trying to grieve and it’s just heartbreaking,” Lamison said. “We still don't really know exactly what happened to him." On Tuesday, dozens of people searched several areas by foot. “Our Criminal Investigations Unit. Our Community Engagement Unit, which two of those guys are out on four-wheelers. We've got the MCC Blue River Police Academy recruits out here and we have Missouri Search and Rescue canines out here all assisting in the search,” I.P.D.’s Officer Conley said. Investigators are still actively working this case. If you have any information, you are encouraged to report it to authorities. Teen sentenced for bringing gun to Shawnee Mission South in December 2024 “If anybody out there has information, contact us. Let us know,” Conley said. You can call the case’s lead detective within IPD at (816) 325-7347. Martinez’ family is offering a reward leading to his whereabouts. “I’m grateful that he (Andre) has a detective that cares and is still orchestrating all of this to happen. I'm just really grateful people are still taking the time to look for him and keep his name out there,” Lamison said. You can also remain anonymous, if you want to leave a tip at the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477. Around 5 p.m. Tuesday, FOX4 learned human remains were found within one of the searches conducted, though at this time, gender or identity of the deceased is unknown. ...read more read less