Director of Investigations & Innovation Josh Hinkle, AUSTIN (KXAN) Gov. (KXAN Photo/Josh Hinkle). Skip Navigation. Some places will say, We dont even have a computer, or We dont have a medical examiner, and theyre trying to figure out who would be responsible for it for inputting that information into NamUs, she said. Arroyois one of hundredsof Texans with loved ones in the NamUs database. Source: Texas Department of Public Safety and NamUs. UPDATE: Mr. Barefield has been located and has been safely returned home. By early 2023, there were 2,294 open Texas cases in NamUs. Still Practicing: Tracking Problem Doctors, Texas Coronavirus Vaccine Rollout Investigations, Sign up for More than the Score Sports newsletter, No. (Courtesy Susanna Arroyo). Months after our report, his body was found in Williamson County near State Highway 45 and MoPac Expressway. While some cases are likely cleared before that 60-day deadline, KXAN investigators found many other cases may fall through the cracks never reported by police to NamUs despite the laws requirement. 9,514 people like this. Pertaminas head Nicke Widyawati apologized and said the company would provide help to the community and cooperate in the investigation. This unit is a first stepin getting closureformany families across our state. A social media post from Austin High Football says family, friends and coaches are worried about Jaiden and want him to know hes not in trouble.. Your Child Support And The Federal Stimulus Payment, How to Request an Attorney General Opinion, Paxton Opposes New Federal Rules Making it Harder to Crack Down on Financial Crimes, Attorney General Paxtons Law Enforcement Round-Up: January, Paxtons Criminal Prosecutions Division Secures Conviction for Man who Shot and Killed aFamily ofThree, Paxton Announces Formation of Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit. Some Texas families tell KXAN terminology impacted how missing persons cases were classified, creating gaps in the law. Over the weekend, Good spoke at CrimeCon in Austin, Texas. Hours after connecting with the couple, Arroyo got a call that her brother was at their place. 2500 Bolsover StreetHouston, TX 77005, Physical Address: Learn more, Chevron Houston Marathon Run for a Reason Program, For 2021, of the 521,705 new missing persons reports entered into NCIC, 317,869 missing persons were. Mailing Address: Watch our entire interview in the video player above. Missing Persons Center is the global missing persons center for profiling missing people worldwide. Nurses rally at TX Capitol, ask lawmakers for help, Doctors could get TX license in 10 days or fewer, County to hold Expunction Expo this Monday. KXAN foundsomestates haveshorter reporting requirements between 30 and 45 days. It was the closest she had come to finding someone who might know him. That means, if a person was reported missing before the law went into effect, police arenot required to add their cases to NamUs. She had traveled the four-hour stretch from her home in Tyler many times before, looking into possible leads. Compare that to a new requirement, mandating police submit details about those cases to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) a public database within 60 days. Im looking for my brother. The personnel in the Unit work closely with the Volunteer Search and Rescue teams and the Austin Fire Department Search and Rescue Team when searching for missing children and adults. Crime survivors, investigators, prosecutors, defense attorneys, advocates and hundreds of others gathered for the annual three-day event that explores everything true crime. The law also requiresmedical examiners and justices of the peace to use NamUs for unidentified persons cases. Its why Hull continues to spread awareness of the resource by joining families as they navigate their search for missing loved ones. Susanna Arroyo reunited with her brother Seferino Ybarra in December. He walks around with a walker Petey Seferino Sam, she said to a couple several blocks from where her search started. Mr. Barefield was last seen wearing dark colored shirt, blue jeans, baseball cap. His dad said he left home in red shoes with his school backpack.He said this is very unusual behavior for his son. Jackson is described as a black male, 56", 190 lbs. Hull worked closely with two Houston families on the law, named afterJohn Almendarez and Joseph Fritts, who were missing. Texas law enforcement agencies entered over 64,200 missing persons in the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) between Sept. 1, 2021, and the end of 2022. Missing Since: June 1, 2015Last Seen: El Paso, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: June 2017Last Seen: El Paso, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: September 17, 2015Last Seen: San Antonio, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: April 11, 2007Last Seen: Houston, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: January 22, 2016Last Seen: Channelview, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: July 31, 2011Last Seen: El Paso, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: April 15, 2005Last Seen: Houston, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: January 12, 2018Last Seen: Houston, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: October 26, 2016Last Seen: Splendora, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: Dec. 31, 1991Last Seen: Houston, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: February 4, 2011Last Seen: New Braunfels, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: June 1, 2016Last Seen: Houston, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: November 25, 2015Last Seen: Dallas, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: June 14, 2007Last Seen: Pasadena, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: March 6, 2015Last Seen: Houston, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: August 21, 2021Last Seen: Houston, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: July 28, 2017Last Seen: Pasadena, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: December 31, 2019Last Seen: Jacinto City, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: January 2, 2020Last Seen: Spring, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: March 28, 2021Last Seen: Portland, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: August 31, 2017Last Seen: Matamoros, TampaulipasDownload Flyer, Missing Since: June 21, 2018Last Seen: Houston, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: Dec. 20, 2021Last Seen: San Antonio, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: July 2, 2017Last Seen: Houston TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: Oct. 8, 1999Last Seen: Houston TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: April 26, 2010Last Seen: Spring, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: January 15, 2013Last Seen: Katy, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: July 7, 2006Last Seen: Austin, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since:December 19, 1997Last Seen: The Woodlands, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since:April 13, 2021Last Seen: Houston, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: July 8, 2021Last Seen: Rosenberg, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: October 18, 2018Last Seen: Houston, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: April 5, 2021Last Seen: Houston, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: March 22, 2015Last Seen: Magnolia, TXDownload Flyer, Missing Since: January 4, 2017Last Seen: Boone (Pueblo), CODownload Flyer, Missing Since: Sept. 21, 2019Last Seen: Houston, TXDownload Flyer. For example, the 2 largest agencies serving our region, in 2021 alone: Texas Center for the Missing does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or age in the delivery of any services. In this video, KXAN Live Host Will DuPree speaks with Investigators Arezow Doost and Josh Hinkle about launching their missing persons project in 2019 and how the coverage has evolved to 2023 through the legislative process and law enforcement data analysis. EastIdahoNews.com, LLC. Austin High Football (@AustinMaroonFB) December 12, 2021 Volunteers met at three locations at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday to help locate Jaiden: Zilker Park, the public library on Cesar Chavez Street . AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Police Department is looking for a missing and endangered man last seen in South Austin earlier this week. For additional information about General Paxtons Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit, please clickhere. (Courtesy NamUs Website). Here are the, 4,000-foot drop: Matthew, Camila McConaughey on, APD investigating theft from Girl Scouts at south, What is the least-visited state park in Texas? On-call Detectives are available to respond after hours and on the weekends to assist patrol with investigations that require immediate attention. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Source: NamUs and individual states. If you are seeking help for a missing person case, call our Case Managerat (713) 599 0235 or Get Help Now online. Data KXAN obtained from NamUs shows the year before the law went into effect there were 348 Texas cases entered into the database. In March 2021, a fire at Cilacap gasoline storage facility at the largest oil refinery on the main island of Java prompted the evacuation of 80 nearby residents and injured at least 20 people. The other states with requirements KXAN checked also dont have any enforcement measures. "The Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit will bring cases that have been left behind - whether that is due to limited resources or insufficient funding - and bring them back into the light," said Attorney General Paxton. Every investigation is different, and in this incident, Mr. Ybarras relatives made a report with APD and advised he was believed to be homeless. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Sign Up for Daily News & Breaking News Newsletters, Sign up for Digging Deep: Inside KXAN Investigates newsletter. In 2021, The Austin Police Department classified Seferino Ybarras case as a Request to Locate. A spokesperson said the case did not meet the criteria for a Missing Persons report which includes Search the Online Abductors/Companions Bulletin. And it is supposed to streamline missing persons reports across the nation. Who is graffitiing I was raped, I am OK in ATX? KXAN also learned the state doesnt track compliance, and the law doesnt say who should enforce the requirement. What is the least-visited state park in Texas? @KVUE Austin High School is the meeting point. 33-year-old Nikko Jackson was last known to be near the 4400 block of Stassney Lane around 5:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Shes looking at the law to see if any changes are necessary and if something needs to be donethis legislative session, which runs through May. Her office noted changing the timeline for reporting at this time wouldnt help address the issues of agencies complying with the existing law. Man missing since 2021 was murdered, co-worker arrested: DA Do not to buy Raspberry Rally cookies from eBay, Girl Scouts say Brian Laundrie was 'emotional bully,' Petito family lawsuit says This is a picture of his drivers license more like what he would look like now.. As of today, this case remains a questionable death investigation without sufficient evidence toattributeTom Browns death to a criminal act, an accidental death, or a suicide;therefore, this case will besuspended until such time as additional reliable evidencehas beendiscovered. Source: Texas Department of Public Safety. "This unit is a first step in getting closure for many families across our state. More than 800 people have been reported missing in the state of Texas, andnearly six dozenof those were last seeninCentral Texas. In 2021, 3,292 new missing adult cases were filed in Harris County and 4,143 in the 14-county Houston-Galveston Region. MARGARET ELLEN FOX DAWNITA WILKERSON AMANDA DEGUIO KYRON RICHARD HORMAN OLIVIA SAMANTHA FOWLER FALOMA LUHK MALEINA LUHK TAMMY MAHONEY ASHLEY LORING HEAVYRUNNER JAMONA PICKETT KEIOSHA MARIE FELIX. On Saturday, grieving relatives gathered at a police hospitals morgue in eastern Jakarta to try to identify their loved ones. UPDATE: Missing Person Located City of Austin FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Release Date: Dec. 28, 2021 Contact: APD Public Information Office 512-974-5017 Email Case: 2021-3610568 Date: December 27, 2021 Location: Austin Texas Missing: Leslie Lee Barefield, Black male, 70 years of age, 185 lbs, Gray/Brown 1 of 3. . While some considered missing are runaways, others are thought to be indanger ordisabled. It is currently unknown where he might have gone or who he may be with. But after receiving no communication from her brother for months, Arroyo said she filed a missing persons report with Austin Police in April 2021. House . What will ending the COVID-19 emergency look like in the US? She said shes lucky she found him but knows many other families never get that kind of ending. OAGsCriminal Investigations Unit assisted in the investigation of Mr. Browns death andalsoassisted the Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit in reviewingallof the collectedevidence. A woman in the tent was sleeping, but there were no signs of her brother. The Missing Person Unit can be reached by calling 512-974-5250 or by email. Posted: Jun 9, 2021, 4:16 pm |Updated: Jun 9, 2021, 6:16 pm. Indonesias State Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir told reporters that the government will remap safe zones for residential areas away from vital objects. (Courtesy Alice Almendarez). In some cases, like Landry's, the reason for the person's disappearancehasn'tbeen determined. So, Arroyo started posting about him on social media andcreated a profilein theNational Missing and Unidentified Persons System, or NamUs. The Texas lawis not retroactive and does not include cases like Ybarras. Anyone with information on Mr. Lee's whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1, or contact the Austin Police Departments Missing Persons Unit at 512-974-5250. In contrast, police must submit case details to NamUs within 60 days of receiving a missing persons report. KXAN has requested how many of the 64,000 were purged within 60 days which is Texas deadline to submit a missing persons case to NamUs. Mr. Barefield has been located and has been safely returned home. That is over 140-times. According tostates criminal code,each time someone files a missing persons report with Texas law enforcement, that agency is required to submit the name and other important details to the FBIsNational Crime Information Center, or NCIC, within two hours. There are currently 14,000 cold case missing people on the website most from the United States. The Missing Person Unit can be reached by calling 512-974-5250 or by email. The law aims to connectNamUs with NCIC. The Missing Persons Unit is responsible for investigating the following: Harboring a Runaway, Request to Locate, Out of County Missing Person believed to be in Austin, Runaway, Found Child, Missing Child, Missing Adult, Recovered Runaway, Found Adult, Missing Person Endangered, Missing due to catastrophic events such as floods. Anyone can enter missing person profiles into our system. Nate Chute and Luz Moreno-Lozano, Austin American-Statesman, 'We just want him home': Family still seeking answers a year after Texas State student last seen, Williamson County sheriff searching for man with details about missing Rachel Cooke, Searchers have covered more than 36,000 acres, but no sign of missing Texas State student, 17 years after Rachel Cooke's disappearance, the search continues, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. AHouston Chronicle investigationin 2022,which cited KXANs research,found some were not complying. AUSTIN, Texas Editor's note: Austin ISD confirmed on Dec. 14 that Warren has returned home safely. The Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit will bring cases that have been left behindwhether that is due to limited resources or insufficient fundingand bring themback intothelight, said Attorney General Paxton. , Get to know our book expert, Ciera Pasturel, Sex assault survivor pushes back against rape graffiti. They have to enter information about remains into the system within 10 days after determining one or more identifying features, or 60 days after the date the investigation began. Jaiden Warrens search party is about to start. If you need to report a lost or missing person, please contact 9-1-1. 2019 Legislative Session Update for Victims and Service Providers, 2021 Legislative Session Open Government Update. are highlighted on this map. suspicious or unknown circumstances, a person who has a mental or behavioral disability, someone who is drug dependent or is in a life-threatening danger. President Joe Biden signed theHelp Find the Missing Act, or Billys Law, in late 2022. with short black hair. As of 2020, there were over 270,000 unsolved homicides in the United States and approximately 20,072 unsolved homicides in the state of Texas. Updated: Jun 5, 2021 / 09:34 AM CDT. National Missing Persons Day serves as a reminder that missing persons are not forgotten and that their loved ones are not alone in their search for answers, and it presents a fitting opportunity to affirm our commitment to bringing justice to victims and closure to the families of Texans who have gone missing, said the resolution. 9 Texas swarms No. Every day I pray to God that we will find him, she said. AUSTIN, Texas Rescue operations have now transitioned to recovery mode for a missing adult who Austin-Travis County EMS said went underwater and failed to . The police are continuing the search of the property, which they said would take several days. Most states have a 30-day deadline. Your local Sheriff's Department is a great resource when someone goes missing. NOTE: This map shows more than 64,000 entries but does not include 154 made by federal authorities that were not tied to a specific county. By 2023, Texas was among at least 13 states with laws mandating the use of NamUs by law enforcement. This page is dedicated in honor of those who continue to search with inspirational courage and hope, and most especially for those trying to find their way home. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Frederick, MD tanker explosion leaves 1 dead; Shuts down part of US-15, Housing affordability at record low, report says, Costco answers whether it is raising membership fee: 'Question of when, not if', Philadelphia Eagles WR Zach Pascal robbed at gunpoint in Maryland, If youve got the CASH, this $2 million vanity license plate can be yours, Bald eagle tangled in tree branches rescued by linemen, Disneyland banned Rebel Wilson over selfie, actress says, Camila Alves McConaughey on Austin flight that 'dropped almost 4,000 feet'; 7 people reportedly hurt, Watch: New video from Hubble space telescope captures asteroid-smashing debris from successful DART mission, Teen arrested in connection with deadly fentanyl overdose of a child: Police, Pet of the Week: Juna from Austin Animal Center, Film fanatics headed to Luck ranch for Texas Film Hall of Fame, Another US agency assesses COVID-19 origin likely a Chinese 'lab leak': report, FDA approves combination flu-COVID test for home use, Governor Abbott gives 2023 State of the State Address, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson tests positive for COVID-19. Last Seen: March 11, 2022 . All rights reserved, If you choose local pickup, please get your gift certificate at our office at 400 W. Sunnyside in Idaho Falls Dismiss, Dr. Phil explains why true crime is so fascinating and the psychology of evil, Man charged with murder in Dylan Rounds case, Video shows suspect with blood stains as he cleaned gun following Dylan Rounds disappearance, charges say, READ: Court documents contain new information in Dylan Rounds murder case, TSA detects a cat inside a carry-on bag at US airport, East Idaho Eats: Find buffalo chicken mac and cheese, poutine, Detroit style pizza and more at the Mountain America Center. When KXAN investigators asked if APD had any interactions with Ybarra, the spokesperson replied, To respect Mr. Ybarras privacy rights, we cannot release other details regarding his case aside from what has been provided.. This specific case did not meet the criteria for a Missing Persons report, an APD spokesperson said. READ: Missing in Texas: John and Josephs Law could require police to report to NamUs, READ: New Texas law helping families looking for missing loved ones, READ: Have you seen Timothy Perez? The Plumpang fuel storage station, operated by state-run oil and gas company Pertamina, is near a densely populated area in the Tanah Merah neighborhood in North Jakarta. A property in Buna was searched in connection to a 2021 missing person's case. Digital Director Kate Winkle However, overwhelming numbers make this work incredibly challenging. In 2021, 6,816 new missing child cases were filed in Harris County and 8,869 in the 14-county Houston-Galveston Region. Learn more about the Charley Project here. Residents living near the depot said they smelled a strong odor of gasoline, causing some people to vomit, after which thunder rumbled twice, followed by a huge explosion around 8 p.m. Sri Haryati, a mother of three, said the fire began to spread about 20 minutes later, causing panic. Open Long-Term Missing Cases Luis Antonio Alderete-Martinez Missing Since: June 1, 2015 Last Seen: El Paso, TX Download Flyer Angel Marie Avalos Missing Since: June 2017 Last Seen: El Paso, TX Download Flyer Ava Grace Baldwin Darker colors indicate more cases. The Chronicle found out of 274 records at the time from justices of the peace, medical examiners and district attorneys offices across Texas, at least 13 unidentified bodies were not entered into NamUs after the law went into effect. Unlike NamUs, that database is not public. Missing persons advocates hope anew federal lawcan be the answer to the issues Texas still sees. TATAN SYUFLANA and NINIEK KARMINI, Associated Press, Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Sign Up for Daily News & Breaking News Newsletters, Sign up for Digging Deep: Inside KXAN Investigates newsletter.