When supporting the work at LostNMissing Inc., many times you are not only supporting the cause of "missing people and their families" but you are also supporting some of your own passionate issues of already well known charity causes which have a "joined link" to our mission in finding our missing and working with their families. Let me explain, further...
So who REALLY goes missing?
Alzheimer's: This
disease touches many lives. Those with cognitive disorders are at risk
of becoming a missing person due to confusion and becoming lost or
wandering. Many of those who have gone missing have families that depend
on us to help locate their missing loved one.
Developmentally Challenged
Those who are developmentally challenged
are very much at risk and we work with many families whose missing
loved ones disappear who are developmentally challenged. There is a
higher rate among those who are young adolescents due to their
vulnerabilities. They are always considered endangered and may qualify
for a "Silver Alert", depending upon the laws set forth in their state.
Autism
With the
increasing amount of loved ones diagnosed with autism each year, an
increase also occurs with those who suffer with autism who go missing.
We've noticed that many of those who have autism, and go missing, are
usually children or teens. Depending on the level of their cognitive
awareness determines the probability of where we may need to focus in
locating them. Those who are higher functioning may be "wandering" the
streets and find themselves in situations in which they are at risk of
becoming harmed and/or taken advantage by others. Some are manipulated
and persuaded to leave the comforts of their homes with false promises
of "love" in which they are invariably "preyed upon" and are at high
risks of danger. Those who are at a lower level of cognitive awareness
may wander from their family and are highly drawn towards water.
Studies are ongoing as to why and unfortunately many that become
missing for more than 48 hours are commonly located passed away in a
death by water. (Lakes, streams, ponds, pools, etc.)
Special and Medical Needs
From Diabetes, epilepsy to traumatic brain injury, (Stroke or brain
damage) those who have possess any of these condition "types" are also
at risk of becoming a missing person due to a medical
incident/accident to confusion from cognitive awareness.
Emotional Disorders
Commonly known previously as "mental illness." A large number of
families of missing come to us whose loved ones have battled emotional
disorders and have disappeared. Families are already very exhausted,
stressed and many have spent years helping their loved family members by
advocating for them and assisting them through their low emotional
states. Emotional disorders is a very difficult "find" for a missing
loved one because many have the intelligence capabilities that can keep
them missing for a very long time. While they may not be plagued with a
lower intelligence level, they are in fact at-risk due to their
emotional disorders, which in many cases can have disastrous outcomes
including self-harm and suicide. Those who are at higher risk of
becoming a missing person are loved ones who have chosen to go off their
medication(s). Some of the most common diagnosed loved ones who go
missing are those who suffer with depression, Bi-polar disorder or
Schizophrenia. Many times they are young adolescents who are in the
process of receiving a diagnosis but disappear prior to it being
confirmed. (This is very common in those between the ages of 18-24 and
are college students.)
Accidents
Missing loved ones become missing due to numerous "accidental
situations" such as off road vehicle accidents, those lost in mountains
while hiking or even "freak" accidents and can become a missing
statistic due to not being able to locate or find them timely. A large
majority located deceased are also known to have gone missing from a
public gathering in which alcohol was served. One does not have to be
intoxicated or legally drunk to suffer an accident which can be fatal.
Far too often we assist families of young college age students
(primarily young men) who leave a public gathering, pub or nightclub
(under the influence and not legally intoxicated) only to be located
deceased with a death by water. (Same common to those with cognitive
disorders, above.) LostNMissing established the campaign, and website,
"Friends Don't Leave Friends Alone" [2]
as the same young deaths we believe could have been avoided had the
person left with someone else and did not stray off alone from their
friends. 
Divorce/Separation/Break-Up
It is very unfortunate but it is known that many women, and men, who go missing and are in the process of a separation from their spouses, or boyfriend/girlfriends, may disappear and a very high rate is due to foul play and by the hands of those they were leaving. This is a very complicated missing person case as families are enduring not only the pain of their loved one missing but also in states of confusion as to why law enforcement processes seem so complicated. Families find there are many barriers, due to the legal system and laws, that stand in the way of finding their missing and loved family member. In nearly all cases the family already is aware that their missing will not be located safely and this adds to the stress and trauma. Detectives and investigators must adhere to the law of "just cause" in order to find needed answers. This frustrates law enforcement, as well. While many may want to do full "homicide investigative procedures", if there is not "just cause" to enable them...their "hands are tied." (Example: Luminol spraying a home, arresting a potential suspect and "making them talk" are just two examples of many tactics families expect, but is halted due to laws that protect those who are suspect.) Because a case may turn to a homicide investigation, or may be classified as missing with foul play, organizations are limited in what information is presented to them (and sometimes to the family, as well) to enable finding the missing loved one. Law enforcement will always take the lead and organizations assist by making pleas to the public for awareness of the missing person. At LostNMissing we will focus on looking for a "living missing loved one" and respect that law enforcement is looking for a deceased missing person. By doing this we are making sure the family of the missing receive both aspects of a missing persons' case. When presenting a missing loved one as possibly being "alive and out there" invariably is also assisting law enforcement because the awareness campaign of seeking the missing loved one may bring tips/leads that can help make a break in the case. We also know, and have experienced, many cases in which all indicators show the missing may have been a victim of foul play (with homicide investigating) and the missing person is invariably located safely. Unless solid evidence (such as an obvious crime scene) exists, we always go with the hopes that the missing can be found alive and well.
It is very unfortunate but it is known that many women, and men, who go missing and are in the process of a separation from their spouses, or boyfriend/girlfriends, may disappear and a very high rate is due to foul play and by the hands of those they were leaving. This is a very complicated missing person case as families are enduring not only the pain of their loved one missing but also in states of confusion as to why law enforcement processes seem so complicated. Families find there are many barriers, due to the legal system and laws, that stand in the way of finding their missing and loved family member. In nearly all cases the family already is aware that their missing will not be located safely and this adds to the stress and trauma. Detectives and investigators must adhere to the law of "just cause" in order to find needed answers. This frustrates law enforcement, as well. While many may want to do full "homicide investigative procedures", if there is not "just cause" to enable them...their "hands are tied." (Example: Luminol spraying a home, arresting a potential suspect and "making them talk" are just two examples of many tactics families expect, but is halted due to laws that protect those who are suspect.) Because a case may turn to a homicide investigation, or may be classified as missing with foul play, organizations are limited in what information is presented to them (and sometimes to the family, as well) to enable finding the missing loved one. Law enforcement will always take the lead and organizations assist by making pleas to the public for awareness of the missing person. At LostNMissing we will focus on looking for a "living missing loved one" and respect that law enforcement is looking for a deceased missing person. By doing this we are making sure the family of the missing receive both aspects of a missing persons' case. When presenting a missing loved one as possibly being "alive and out there" invariably is also assisting law enforcement because the awareness campaign of seeking the missing loved one may bring tips/leads that can help make a break in the case. We also know, and have experienced, many cases in which all indicators show the missing may have been a victim of foul play (with homicide investigating) and the missing person is invariably located safely. Unless solid evidence (such as an obvious crime scene) exists, we always go with the hopes that the missing can be found alive and well.
Human Trafficking
Missing loved ones can become victims of human trafficking and quite a
majority that are trafficked is for sex purposes. According to the FBI
website, they explain, "It's sad but true: here in this country, people
are being bought, sold, and smuggled like modern-day slaves.They are
trapped in lives of misery-often beaten, starved, and forced to work as
prostitutes or to take grueling jobs as migrant, domestic, restaurant,
or factory workers with little or no pay. We're working hard to stop
human trafficking-not only because of the personal and psychological
toll it takes on society, but also because it facilitates the illegal
movement of immigrants across borders and provides a ready source of
income for organized crime groups and even terrorists." [2] While primarily those missing are young women, young men are known to have been trafficked as well.
Drugs of Abuse
When a loved one is under the influence of drugs and/or associates with those who buy, sell or take drugs...this puts them at risk of danger in which they can possibly become a missing person. We've had cases in which those have been located safely and living a life "off the streets" in a drug dazed world and we've had missing loved ones who were located deceased a victim of drug activities, suicide under the influence (or through withdrawal) or due to an overdose.
When a loved one is under the influence of drugs and/or associates with those who buy, sell or take drugs...this puts them at risk of danger in which they can possibly become a missing person. We've had cases in which those have been located safely and living a life "off the streets" in a drug dazed world and we've had missing loved ones who were located deceased a victim of drug activities, suicide under the influence (or through withdrawal) or due to an overdose.
Of One's Own Choice with cognitive awareness and decision making
Surprisingly, this is one of the lowest common causes of an adult person's disappearance. Highest among minors. Yet, adults receive very little media and public awareness.
Unfortunately the "general public" has the misconception that this is the "number one reason" someone is missing, especially as it pertains to adult males.
We certainly do need to have this category, and fact is...we wish this was the reason most loved ones go missing as the alternative reasons are not usually with a good ending. 85% of our missing adult cases end each year with the missing adult either located deceased or known to be deceased and no body recovered.
Surprisingly, this is one of the lowest common causes of an adult person's disappearance. Highest among minors. Yet, adults receive very little media and public awareness.
Unfortunately the "general public" has the misconception that this is the "number one reason" someone is missing, especially as it pertains to adult males.
We certainly do need to have this category, and fact is...we wish this was the reason most loved ones go missing as the alternative reasons are not usually with a good ending. 85% of our missing adult cases end each year with the missing adult either located deceased or known to be deceased and no body recovered.
In this category, those missing are due to their own decision to leave their present life. These decisions are made with cognitive awareness, are usually planned and usually are the easiest cases to locate the missing person as they leave more "trails" for investigations to track their whereabouts. Some of the more common reasons are: To start over a new life, to escape and hide from law enforcement, to experience life outside the rules of a parent/guardian (commonly known as "runaway"), to escape an abusive person by going into hiding or to "live off the land" away from everyone, to start a new life with another person, or due to joining a cult.
Abduction/Kidnapping
While rare, abduction is a possible cause for a missing loved one (both
adults and children) to have disappeared. Parental abduction is the
leading cause of missing children in this particular category along with
abduction for trafficking purposes. Lower on the rate of statistics
is the kidnapping for the purposes of rape and/or murder. It is also
extremely rare that one is kidnapped for the purpose to extort money in
exchange for their safe return. According to the National Center for
Missing and Exploited Children, the major causes for missing children
are:
- The most recent, comprehensive national study for the number of missing children estimated in 1999: [3]
- Approximately 800,000 children younger than 18 were reported missing.
- More than 200,000 children were abducted by family members.
- More than 58,000 children were abducted by nonfamily members.
- An estimated 115 children were the victims of "stereotypical" kidnapping. These "stereotypical" kidnappings involved someone the child did not know or was an acquaintance. The child was held overnight, transported 50 miles or more, killed, ransomed or held with the intent to keep the child permanently.
So why do we keep asking for donations?
Over 2,000 go missing in the United States EVERY day. When supporting LostNMissing Inc., you are not only supporting our work for families of missing, you are also supporting the programs that enable us to locate and bring home their missing loved one.
No person, no family is exempt from the trauma of having a loved one disappear. Every person, and every family, from all walks of life can have this happen at any time....and feel lost, confused, worried, fearful and will turn to us for help.
We need you!
We depend on the general public to assist us not only in sharing posters of our missing, but also to drop us $5 or $10 to help build our funding. Many have the misconception that all 501c(3) Nonprofits are funded heavily and receive government grants. Not true.
Fact is, those that do receive government grants are usually very large corporate Nonprofits which receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and donations and in which the majority of their staff are on a payroll. Many of their management team earn six figure salaries, or more! Every staff member, Board of Director, and volunteer of LostNMissing Inc. work 100% as volunteers and do not earn pay. We work out of the goodness of our hearts with a passion to help...without expecting a salary in return.
This is why we ask for donations and depend on you...the public...to help us. Many times we not only volunteer our services but also fund our own work from our private family incomes. We really do need you. Our families need you. Our missing loved ones, need you. Please consider a donation, today. Thank you.
Over 2,000 go missing in the United States EVERY day. When supporting LostNMissing Inc., you are not only supporting our work for families of missing, you are also supporting the programs that enable us to locate and bring home their missing loved one.
No person, no family is exempt from the trauma of having a loved one disappear. Every person, and every family, from all walks of life can have this happen at any time....and feel lost, confused, worried, fearful and will turn to us for help.
We need you!
We depend on the general public to assist us not only in sharing posters of our missing, but also to drop us $5 or $10 to help build our funding. Many have the misconception that all 501c(3) Nonprofits are funded heavily and receive government grants. Not true.
Fact is, those that do receive government grants are usually very large corporate Nonprofits which receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and donations and in which the majority of their staff are on a payroll. Many of their management team earn six figure salaries, or more! Every staff member, Board of Director, and volunteer of LostNMissing Inc. work 100% as volunteers and do not earn pay. We work out of the goodness of our hearts with a passion to help...without expecting a salary in return.
This is why we ask for donations and depend on you...the public...to help us. Many times we not only volunteer our services but also fund our own work from our private family incomes. We really do need you. Our families need you. Our missing loved ones, need you. Please consider a donation, today. Thank you.
Sources:
Friends Don't Leave Friends Alone, http://www.dontleavefriends.comFBI : Human Trafficking, http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/civilrights/human_trafficking
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, http://www.missingkids.com/KeyFacts#one
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