NYC Missing Persons Day: Bringing Closure to Families
The Event
NYC Missing Persons Day was held in the Bronx on December 6, marking the first time the annual event was held outside of Manhattan since its launch in 2014.
The Issue
According to NamUS, a public database of missing persons, as many as 600,000 people in the U.S. are reported missing each year. At the same time, more than 11,000 sets of unidentified human remains are held in offices throughout the country just waiting to be matched up.
The Importance of Closure
Currently in New York City, there is not a standout trend in the number of people going missing, said Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jason Graham, but the event aims to bring closure to at least some who have been waiting, sometimes for decades.
"We are in the business of providing answers to families," Graham said. "People can live with the facts. They have a hard time living with uncertainty."
The Process
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is responsible for investigating all deaths in New York City that are considered unusual or suspicious. The office completes an intake process and asks many questions about the missing person, including where and when they were last seen, their last known address, whether or not they had ever been fingerprinted for a job or incarceration reasons, and physical characteristics that set them apart from others.
Relatives of the missing person can complete a DNA swab that is uploaded into a national public database called NamUS, which helps forensic investigators make matches among missing persons cases.
The Event
The Dec. 6 event invited people with a loved one who has been missing for more than 60 days to come to the Bronx Family Service Center at the OCME, located on East 161st Street, to meet with scientists and investigators. The attendees also received support and were able to update authorities about an ongoing case.
Success Stories
Working at OCME brings some unusual stories. Carl Gajewski, a supervisor in the DNA unit, spoke of one family from out of state whose missing son was in New York. The family came to OCME, and the NYPD missing persons unit was able to locate a citation very recently issued to the son. NYPD pulled up bodycam footage, and as it turned out, the son was held at a local precinct — where the family reconnected with him.
Conclusion
While the event may not have found all the missing persons, it has brought hope to many families and has encouraged them to continue searching for their loved ones. The OCME and its partners will continue to work tirelessly to provide answers to families and bring closure to those who have been waiting.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of NYC Missing Persons Day?
A: The event aims to bring closure to families of missing persons and provide answers to those who have been waiting.
Q: How many people are reported missing each year in the U.S.?
A: According to NamUS, as many as 600,000 people are reported missing each year.
Q: What is NamUS?
A: NamUS is a public database of missing persons that helps forensic investigators make matches among missing persons cases.
Q: How can families get involved with the OCME?
A: Families can schedule a meeting with the Identification Unit at (212) 447-2030 or visit the OCME website for more information.
