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.



Missing Person Photos

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

Ricardo D. James
missing person case update January 2023 found new details posted
missing person case update January 2023 found new details posted
missing person case update January 2023 found new details posted
James, date, approximate 2011; Shanunikia Pierce, date, approximate 2011
Date Missing 10/29/2011
Missing From
St. Louis, Missouri
Missing Classification Endangered Missing
Sex Male
Race
Black
Date of Birth 03/06/1971 (51)
Age 40 years old
Height and Weight 5'5, 160 - 170 pounds
Markings and/or Distinguishing Characteristics African-American male. Black hair, brown eyes. James's head was shaved at the time of his disappearance.
Details of Disappearance James was last seen in St. Louis, Missouri on October 29, 2011. He was with his two children, aged six and seven, when he met Shanunikia N. Pierce at her apartment in the 4700 block of Ashland Court. They all stayed with Pierce at her apartment for a day or two, but then James left with someone in a car and never returned.
Pierce then told the children she was taking them to their father, but instead she drove them to a vacant house in Granite City, Illinois and left them there. James has never been heard from again and Pierce was subsequently charged with abandoning the children. A photo of Pierce is posted with this summary. James's family doesn't know her. She disappeared herself in February 2012, but was eventually located.
James's family members believe he came to harm, as they don't think he would have abandoned his children. He was granted sole custody of them when they were toddlers and was very protective of them. His loved ones stated he worked at a nursing home, attended church, and never drank alcohol or used drugs. He lived in the 5900 block of Cote Brilliante at the time of his disappearance. He is missing under unclear circumstances and his remains unsolved.
Investigating Agency
St. Louis Police Department
314-444-5738
Other
Missouri State Highway Patrol
NamUs
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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.



Missing Person Photos

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