Missing Person Photos
A missing person is a person who has disappeared and whose status as alive or dead cannot be confirmed as their location and condition are unknown. A person may go missing through a voluntary disappearance, or else due to an accident, crime, death in a location where they cannot be found (such as at sea), or many other reasons. In most parts of the world, a missing person will usually be found quickly. While criminal abductions are some of the most widely reported missing person cases, these account for only 2 to 5 percent of missing children in Europe.
By contrast, some missing person cases remain unresolved for many years. Laws related to these cases are often complex since, in many jurisdictions, relatives and third parties may not deal with a person's assets until their death is considered proven by law and a formal death certificate issued. The situation, uncertainties, and lack of closure or a funeral resulting when a person goes missing may be extremely painful with long-lasting effects on family and friends.
A number of organizations seek to connect, share best practices, and disseminate information and images of missing children to improve the effectiveness of missing children investigations, including the International Commission on Missing Persons, the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), as well as national organizations, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in the US, Missing People in the UK, Child Focus in Belgium, and The Smile of the Child in Greece.
Resources for Missing Persons
According to current statistics, 4,000 people in the United States go missing every day.
Sometimes a child suddenly vanishes from the bus stop or the local park or even from their own yard or bedroom. Or a teenager doesn�t return home after a walk to the neighborhood grocery store or a bike ride or a party with friends.
Other times, an adult is mysteriously absent from their job or neighbors haven�t seen them for several days, and family and friends haven�t heard from them either.
Missing Person Photos
Denise Abigail Vasseur
Denise, date, approximate 2000
Date Missing 09/22/2000
Missing From
Oceanside, California
Missing Classification Endangered Missing
Sex Female
Race
White
Date of Birth 09/16/1969 (53)
Age 31 years old
Height and Weight 5'5, 115 pounds
Clothing/Jewelry Description A light brown uniform.
Markings and/or Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian female. Red hair, blue eyes. Denise's ears are pierced.
Details of Disappearance Denise was employed as an animal keeper at Wild Animal Park in San Diego, California in 2000. She and her husband, U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Charles Vasseur, resided in the 1500 block of Shadowridge Drive in Oceanside near Vista, California.
Charles said he saw his wife for the final time at approximately 5:00 a.m. on September 22, 2000 as he departed for work. Denise told Charles she planned to spend that night at Wild Animal Park for a sleepover event with a girlfriend. She was carrying her sleeping bag and an overnight bag at the time. Denise never returned to her residence and has not been seen again.
Authorities learned that her co-worker, Patrick J. Hamilton, disappeared on the same day as Denise did. Charles stated that Denise often carpooled with Hamilton in the fall of 2000. They were having an affair, and Denise apparently went to his house to end the relationship on the day she vanished.
A warrant was issued for Hamilton's arrest and authorities apprehended him on September 27. Hamilton had attempted to flee from the officers at the time, but he was arrested south of Gilroy, California. He also tried to overdose on prescription medication while in police custody.
Hamilton confessed to Denise's murder in November 2001. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and agreed to assist authorities locate her remains. Hamilton said that Denise had wanted to end their relationship. He said he refused to allow Denise to leave his residence on the day of her disappearance.
Denise eventually hit Hamilton in an effort to escape and an altercation ensued. He claimed he accidentally strangled her during the fight and buried her body in the Anza-Borrego Desert.
Hamilton led authorities to several locations in and around that area during November 2001, but Denise's remains were never located. Investigators suspended the search by the end of the month.
Hamilton was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison in March 2002. He attempted to change his plea in December 2001, but the sentence was imposed nonetheless.
Authorities have been unable to locate Denise's body, despite extensive searches throughout various desert areas in California. She and Charles met in Africa; she was a volunteer for a primate organization and he was on embassy duty in the region at the time.
Investigating Agency
Oceanside Police Department
760-435-4900
Other
The North County Times
San Diego County Sheriff's Department
California Attorney General's Office
Missing Person Photos
A missing person is a person who has disappeared and whose status as alive or dead cannot be confirmed as their location and condition are unknown. A person may go missing through a voluntary disappearance, or else due to an accident, crime, death in a location where they cannot be found (such as at sea), or many other reasons. In most parts of the world, a missing person will usually be found quickly. While criminal abductions are some of the most widely reported missing person cases, these account for only 2 to 5 percent of missing children in Europe.
By contrast, some missing person cases remain unresolved for many years. Laws related to these cases are often complex since, in many jurisdictions, relatives and third parties may not deal with a person's assets until their death is considered proven by law and a formal death certificate issued. The situation, uncertainties, and lack of closure or a funeral resulting when a person goes missing may be extremely painful with long-lasting effects on family and friends.
A number of organizations seek to connect, share best practices, and disseminate information and images of missing children to improve the effectiveness of missing children investigations, including the International Commission on Missing Persons, the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), as well as national organizations, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in the US, Missing People in the UK, Child Focus in Belgium, and The Smile of the Child in Greece.
Resources for Missing Persons
According to current statistics, 4,000 people in the United States go missing every day.
Sometimes a child suddenly vanishes from the bus stop or the local park or even from their own yard or bedroom. Or a teenager doesn�t return home after a walk to the neighborhood grocery store or a bike ride or a party with friends.
Other times, an adult is mysteriously absent from their job or neighbors haven�t seen them for several days, and family and friends haven�t heard from them either.
Missing Person Photos
