What to do when someone goes missing

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for emergency services or legal guidance. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement or emergency responders right away.

When someone you care about cannot be reached and you have a sense that something is wrong, it can be really disorienting. It is common to second-guess yourself in these moments — wondering whether you're overreacting, whether to involve others, or whether more time will bring clarity. Feeling uncertain does not mean you're doing anything wrong. It simply means you care, and you're trying to understand what is happening.

The steps below are designed to help you proceed with steadiness and clarity. They offer guidance on when to reach out, how to gather information, and how to involve your local authorities if needed, so you can take thoughtful action without feeling alone or overwhelmed.

Confirm whether the person is actually missing

Before assuming the worst, there are a few quick checks that can help you determine whether someone is temporarily unreachable or genuinely missing.

• Try calling and texting the person.
• Check their recent social media accounts for updates or changes.
• Contact close friends, roommates, or family members.
• Look for any planned appointments, errands, or commitments.

If these steps do not provide clarity and you cannot account for the person's safety, it is appropriate to proceed with contacting your local law enforcement agency.

Contact local authorities and file a missing person report

Contrary to common belief, you do not need to wait 24 hours to file a missing person report. If you are concerned for their safety, you can contact your local police department immediately.

When you call, be ready to share:

• The person's full name and physical description
• Last known location or time they were seen
• Any known health or safety concerns
• Recent changes in behavior or routine

Law enforcement can issue alerts, run database checks through the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and notify nearby agencies.

Gather key information

Having accurate details available helps keep communication clear between you, law enforcement, and anyone else assisting.

• A current photo (preferably within the last few weeks)
• Phone number and any alternate contact methods
• Addresses of home, work, and frequently visited places
• Known friends or close contacts
• Vehicle information, if applicable

Keeping this in one place makes it easier to share as needed.

Notify others who may be able to help

While law enforcement begins their process, you can also reach out to people and places who may have seen or heard from the person.

• Family and friends, coworkers, neighbors, classmates
• Local hospitals or urgent care centers
• Shelters or community organizations
• Places they visit regularly, such as gyms or coffee shops

These conversations can help establish a timeline and may surface new information.

When to involve additional support

If initial steps are not providing clarity, it can be difficult to know how to move forward. Sometimes situations simply require more information, more coordination, or more hands helping.

How to know when more help is needed

When efforts to locate your loved one have not led to new information, it can be a sign that additional support may help keep the search moving. This is about continuing the search thoughtfully, not escalating panic.

• The person has been missing longer than expected and no new information has surfaced.
• Attempts to contact friends, family, or known locations have not provided leads.
• The missing person is especially vulnerable, such as a child, older adult, or someone with medical or mental health needs.
• There are indications the person may have traveled or crossed into another jurisdiction.
• A police report has been filed, but updates are limited.

Who can assist in the search

Bringing in additional support can help share the emotional and logistical load. In some missing person cases, coordinating efforts across multiple people can make a meaningful difference. You do not need to try to manage every part of this on your own.

• Trusted friends or family members who can make calls, check locations, or help track information.
• Local hospitals, urgent care centers, shelters, or community organizations that may have interacted with the missing person.
• Workplaces, schools, or community groups who may be able to share or confirm information.

In some communities, organizing a small, coordinated search party can also be appropriate, especially if there are known areas the missing person may frequent.

How a private investigator can support ongoing efforts

A licensed private investigator can work alongside law enforcement—not instead of them—to help fill in gaps that may be hard to cover without dedicated time and resources, such as reviewing timelines, gathering interviews, examining available cell phone records when appropriate, or coordinating across jurisdictions in a missing persons case.

Private investigators may:

• Interview acquaintances or individuals who are difficult for family to reach.
• Review timelines and movement patterns to identify overlooked details.
• Coordinate across multiple jurisdictions when travel is involved.
• Help maintain momentum when updates from official channels are limited.

This support is not about replacing the work already being done. It is about ensuring the search remains active, organized, and thorough. In situations where there is concern about possible foul play or when leads have slowed, having someone able to continue focused attention can be especially helpful. You can also explore public resources such as the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), which provides centralized case support and information sharing.

Staying focused on finding your loved one

When someone you care about is missing, your primary focus is on their safety and well-being. It is natural to feel a mix of urgency, fear, and uncertainty while trying to make the right decisions. Taking steady, organized steps and involving the right support can help you continue moving forward, even when answers are not immediate.

You are not expected to manage this situation alone. If the search has become more complicated, has continued longer than you anticipated, or you feel that additional guidance could help, it may be time to involve professional support.

Davis & Forest works with families and loved ones in missing person situations that require careful coordination and focused investigative attention. Reaching out does not mean you are overreacting—it simply means you are doing everything you can to care for someone who matters to you.

If you would like to discuss your situation or explore available options, contact us for a confidential consultation.