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
Keith Sparrow
Sparrow, date, approximate 1991; Octavio Romero, date, approximate 2012
Date Missing 08/26/1991
Missing From
Victorville, California
Missing Classification Endangered Missing
Sex Male
Race
White
Date of Birth 10/26/1972 (49)
Age 18 years old
Height and Weight 5'10, 180 pounds
Markings and/or Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian male. Black hair, brown eyes. Sparrow's hair was worn in a ponytail at the time of his disappearance.
Details of Disappearance Sparrow was last seen in Victorville, California on August 26, 1991. He lived with his girlfriend in the 13600 block of White Sail Drive in the Spring Valley Lake area area. The morning of his disappearance, he appeared remarkably cheerful and gave his infant daughter a bath for the first time.
His girlfriend stated an acquaintance of Sparrow, Octavio "Tavo" Romero, drove to their residence that day and Sparrow left with him, leaving all his belongings behind, even his wallet. Sparrow has never been heard from again.
A photo of Romero is posted with this summary. In March 2012, he was charged with Sparrow's murder and also the murder of Spencer Watts, who was his roommate and who also knew Sparrow.
Watts was shot to death and his body was found in a shallow grave in Lucerne Valley, California on September 1, 1991. Peter Carassone, an associate of both Watts and Romero, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and conspiracy to commit murder in his death.
Authorities believe Romero murdered Sparrow and buried him at an unknown location, possibly in the Adelanto, California area. Investigators stated Romero and Sparrow were both involved in drug sales and Sparrow kept $60,000 in cash at his house at the time of his disappearance. They believe his murder was drug-related.
Romero was convicted of both murders in November 2012. Sparrow's body has never been found.
Investigating Agency
Oceanside Police Department
760-435-4900
Other
The Cactus Thorns
CBS Los Angeles
The High Desert Daily Press
NamUs
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
