When I'm not working on the podcast, I volunteer as the social media outreach coordinator for

Missing in Michigan. You can learn more about missing in Michigan by following the group on

Facebook or visiting our website at www.m-W-W-M-I-S-S-I-N-G-I-N-M-C-H.com. This bonus episode This bonus episode focuses on best practices in missing persons cases, some of the pitfalls that families face, and how you can help and support families and law enforcement in their search for missing persons.

A couple of weeks ago, I sat down for a nice long chat with Angel from the Crime of the

Truest Kind podcast. She's a fantastic host and writer. If you haven't listened yet, I recommend

checking out her show.

All right.

So I like to share some data or data.

I say it different every time.

Black and Missingink.com says in 2023,

missing persons under the age of 18,

53% were identified as white, including Hispanic, 40% identified as African American, 4% identified as Asian and Indian, 3% unknown.

50% of missing persons are labeled female, 50% labeled male.

I mean, that kind of does throw a wrench in.

It's only ladies that disappear.

I don't mean to be smug, but it is a true crime trope.

According to the national missing and unidentified persons database, also known as Namis,

which is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 600,000 people go missing every year. Approximately 4,400 unidentified people are recovered each year.

Nationwide, there are roughly 6.5 missing persons per 100,000 people. In a Newsweek report, roughly 2,300 Americans are reported missing every day.

In Newsweek's reporting from February 2024, they say Oklahoma has the largest percentage of missing people in America, with 16 per 100,000 residents. Arizona, with 14.2. On the West Coast,

just behind that is Oregon, with 12.5 per 100,000 people, followed by Washington State at 10.8.

California has 8.6. So comparatively speaking, New England states

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