There are many reasons why a person may disappear. The person may be trying to escape a domestic abuse situation, or they may have been sold into slavery, serfdom or sexual servitude. Sometimes people with mental health issues can disappear or simply get lost and not know how to find their way home. Family discord and conflict, drug or alcohol problems, poor coping skills and family neglect are also common reasons for missing persons.
When a person is reported missing they are usually entered into NCIC (National Crime Information Center) a database shared by all law enforcement agencies in the United States. The police will then send out BOLOs (Be On the Lookout) to local agencies in their area. This is a great first step in finding your missing loved one, but there are many other things that need to be done.
Our missing person services include working closely with you and your loved ones to collect as much information about your loved one as possible. This includes a recent picture of your loved one, information on their physical appearance, such as scars or tattoos and last known whereabouts. We can also compile a list of friends and relatives to contact who may be able to provide more information on your loved one’s whereabouts.
It is also important to file a missing persons report with the police right away. Often people think that they must be a family member to do so, but anyone can file a missing persons report. The most valuable time in the search for a missing person is in the first few hours.