LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – National Missing Person’s Day, observed on Saturday, February 3rd, originated from the determined efforts of Jo Ann Lowitzer. Her 16-year-old daughter, Alexandria, disappeared in April 2010 in Spring, Texas, prompting Lowitzer to advocate for the designation of February 3rd as an annual Missing Persons Day in Houston, Texas.

A mother’s journey.

After that, Lowitzer championed the idea of a Texas Missing Persons Day on April 26th, the date of Alexandria’s disappearance after stepping off her school bus. Then in 2018, Lowitzer achieved success as February 3rd was officially recognized and observed as “National Missing Persons Day” across the United States.

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In the era of social media, families of the missing have become proactive advocates, leveraging campaigns, websites, and Facebook pages to raise awareness. They engage with the media through interviews and participate in true-crime podcasts nationwide, striving to shed light on their loved ones’ disappearances.

Lowitzer, for instance, actively maintains her daughter’s Facebook page, “Hope for Ali; Alexandria Joy Lowitzer,” and recently hosted a live event on January 18th. With tears in her eyes, she talks about February 3rd which is Alexandria’s 30th birthday. She also discusses her daughter’s upcoming “missing anniversary” in April.

Reflecting on her challenges more than a decade later, Jo Ann emphasizes taking things “one day at a time” and shares her commitment to organizing Houston’s Missing Person’s Day events each year.

Advocating for missing family members.

 Many families dedicate their lives to their missing loved ones, spending time and money getting the word out about their stories. Others go on to establish non-profits, scholarships, and host events in their names. There are those who also embark on speaking tours, advocate for legislation, and offer resources to support other families facing similar challenges.

Probably the most famous figure in advocating for crime victims, their families and the families of the missing is John Walsh, the father of the murdered six-year-old Adam Walsh. His renowned show, “America’s Most Wanted,” has played a significant role in catching criminals and reuniting missing children with their families and it’s back on TV again this year.

There are many who say that his show was instrumental in sparking an interest in the development of future true-crime and reality television shows and the true-crime podcasts that we listen to today.

Advocating for others and shining a spotlight on the missing.

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Beyond individual efforts for their own loved ones, many families in Michigan and across the country also contribute time and resources to find others who are missing and support their families. They do so while searching for their own loved ones along the way using Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and other social media sites.

One such family is the family of Richard “Richie” Hitchcock who went missing from a bar in Allegan in December of 1990. The family set up a Facebook page for their search for Richie which has amassed almost 2,000 followers.

But they are also helping others to search for their missing loved ones as well. According to Fox 17, Richie’s cousin, Kellie Boers, is not just looking for her cousin but others as well as the CEO of the Venus Foundation which advocates for missing persons and their families.

The numbers are staggering.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) reports that up to 100,000 people may be missing at any given time in the country, with 600,000 reported annually. At the time this article was published, NamUs listed 24,107 missing people in Michigan, highlighting the urgency of the issue.

And while some individuals may go missing voluntarily, and luckily many are found in the weeks after they disappear, others are abducted. To a family, the reason for the disappearance of their loved one is frightening no matter the cause – and with the border crisis and an increase in human trafficking, their concerns often reach a heightened state of concern as the days pass.

Getting the word out.

In Michigan, the non-profit organization Missing in Michigan plays a crucial role in helping to get the word out about missing persons. They utilize their Facebook group with over 116,000 followers to share daily photos and information about missing adults and children in the state. Their information is posted in real-time with immediate cases highlighted as well as reminders of cold cases that happened months, years and even decades earlier.

The group collaborates with law enforcement to provide support to both authorities and the families of missing persons, working together to bring the missing home.