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 Case Updates with Photos
Siphat Chau
Chau, date, approximate 2005
Date Missing 12/24/2005
Missing From
Portland, Maine
Missing Classification Endangered Missing
Sex Male
Race
Asian
Age 19 years old
Height and Weight 5'8, 140 pounds
Clothing/Jewelry Description A red sweatshirt, blue jeans, and possibly a black coat and a beanie hat.
Markings and/or Distinguishing Characteristics Asian male. Black hair, brown eyes. Chau is of Vietnamese descent. His nickname is Phat and he has a scar on his chin.
Details of Disappearance Chau was last seen in Portland, Maine on December 24, 2005. He was visiting his family for the Christmas holidays at the time. He was last seen on the couch at his family's residence shortly after 1:00 a.m. on Christmas Eve. Later that morning, his loved ones discovered he was missing. He left behind his wallet, car and car keys.
Chau had been an honors student at Portland High School, and after graduating he enrolled in the University of Maine at Orono on a partial scholarship. He majored in business.
He had not registered for spring semester classes, however. He was also having financial problems due to internet gambling, and his family asked him to come home to be closer to them.
Chau's loved ones stated he did not often discuss his personal problems with them, but it is uncharacteristic of him to leave without warning; they fear for his safety.
Investigating Agency
Portland Police Department
207-874-8575
Other
WTMW 8
The Portland Press-Herald
Siphat Chau's MySpace Page
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 Case Updates with Photos