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

Verna Marie Richardson
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
missing person case update January 2023 found new details posted
Richardson, date, approximate 1990; Alexander Smith
Date Missing 07/07/1990
Missing From
Fort Myers, Florida
Missing Classification Endangered Missing
Sex Female
Race
Black
Date of Birth 06/12/1942 (80)
Age 48 years old
Height and Weight 5'8, 180 - 225 pounds
Clothing/Jewelry Description A sleeveless flowered nightgown and a sleeveless green checkered night-coat.
Medical Conditions Richardson suffers from numerous medical problems. She is a diabetic and dependent on insulin which she doesn't have with her, she has high blood pressure, she's partially paralyzed on her left side and she requires three kidney dialysis treatments a week.
Markings and/or Distinguishing Characteristics African-American female. Brown hair, brown eyes. Richardson wears eyeglasses. She is missing her two upper front teeth, and her ears are pierced.
Details of Disappearance Richardson began dating Alexander Smith during a rough patch in her marriage. A photograph of Smith is posted with this summary. She ended the relationship in mid-1990 and attempted to reconcile with her husband.
Smith came to Richardson's house in the 1800 block of south Meador Court in Fort Myers, Florida on July 7, 1990. Her twelve-year-old granddaughter was present at the time, and Richardson asked her to go to another room. She then called her adult son and asked him to come over. He promised he would, but fell asleep instead.
Richardson and Smith left the house together sometime afterwards, leaving her insulin behind. It's unclear whether she left the residence voluntarily or whether he forced her to come with him.
The follow day, Richardson called a friend collect and said she was at a pay phone at a Hardy store on State Road 70 east near Lake Okeechobee. She said Smith had taken her against her will, tied her hands behind her back, beaten her and broken her glasses. She said he'd gone inside the store to buy liquor.
Richardson promised to call back, but she never did. A store clerk saw her enter the store, wearing a nightgown. She has never been heard from again.
Another of Richardson's sons met Smith in Fort Myers a week later. Smith was driving Richardson's car at the time. He said she was at a Tice Hotel and offered to let her son follow him there.
During the trip, Smith flipped Richardson's vehicle on Interstate 75 and was arrested for drunk driving. Her purse was found on the car's front seat. The police held him for four hours before releasing him. His whereabouts today are unknown.
Richardson's remains unsolved and foul play is suspected. She left behind ten children.
Investigating Agency
Lee County Sheriff's Office
800-780-8477
Other
The Fort Myers News-Press
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
The Palm Beach Post
The Fort Myers News-Press

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