MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Division of Drug and Crime Control- P.O. Box 568, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102

News Release

For further information please contact: Sergeant Shawn Griggs
573-526-6236
DDCC5918
May 9, 2018

EMPHASIS: Missouri & Illinois Law Enforcement Host Greater St. Louis Area Missing Persons Event

Colonel Sandra K. Karsten, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, extends a heartfelt invitation to family members and loved ones of missing persons to attend an event created with them in mind. The Greater St. Louis Area Missing Persons Event will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2018. The event will occur simultaneously at two locations: the Jennings State Office Building, 8501 Lucas and Hunt Roads, Jennings, MO, and St. Clair Square, Fairview Heights, IL. This is a multi-jurisdictional initiative focused on solving cold cases in Missouri and Illinois, and are the first such events to be held in this area. There are no residency restrictions for attending either of the events. There is no cost to attend the event.

The purpose of the event is to provide a location for families to report a missing loved one or to update an existing missing person case by sharing additional case information with police investigators. Family members are encouraged to bring any available photos and/or identification cards of the missing person; X-rays, dental records, medical records, other identifying documents; and copies of police reports related to the disappearance. Family members will be given the opportunity to provide a DNA sample for comparison to unidentified human remains cases nationwide. The sample will be collected by rubbing the inside of the cheeks with cotton swabs.

For an appointment or more information, contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol Missing Persons Unit at 573-526-6178 or via e-mail at MissingPersons@mshp.dps.mo.gov; or Illinois Event Team Members at 618-489-2005 or via e-mail at MissingPersons@fairviewpd.org. An appointment is not necessary; walk-ins are welcome.

Information obtained about missing persons and DNA information provided by family members will be entered the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). NamUs is a national centralized repository and resource center for missing persons and unidentified decedent records.

Participating agencies include: Missouri State Highway Patrol, Illinois State Police, St. Louis County Police Department, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Fairview Heights Police Department, National Missing & Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), and other area law enforcement agencies.
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