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Step 7 - Getting help
Be prepared as you are going to be pulled in multiple directions. Part of you will want to shut down and be left alone. Another part of you will be frustrated because it seems like you just can’t do enough. Another part of you will feel like the police and others don’t care and that they are not doing enough. Unfortunately, I can’t make those frustrations go away but what I will do is try to give you some advice about getting help.
7.1. Get the word out - The more people that know the better. Today missing children have the Amber alert. For adults there is no such mechanism. Try to get the
local press to run a story about your missing loved one. By press I mean the radio, paper, and TV. Call them and ask to speak to the head of the news dept for TV
and radio. For the papers ask the editor. Talk to your coworkers and friends, they can help spread the word and ask them if they have any connections with the
press. Leverage your relationships to help get the word out. Call stations that are not just in your immediate area. Use Email and Websites. Again the more press
you get the better your chances of finding your loved one.
7.2. Make up posters and flyers – Some times a local printer or copy shop will give you a discount. Do not be afraid to ask for discounts. You will be surprised how fast
you can rack up a lot of bills as your emotions may cloud your judgment and the next thing you know you have a financial mess on your hands in addition to the pain
of a missing loved one.
7.3. Volunteers - Try to get help from friends, family, ect. There are also organizations that might be able to help you. Ask the police about them or look on the internet
by doing a search for Missing Persons Support Groups. Again get someone you know to help you with finding volunteers and help.
7.4. Private Investigators aka PI - Do not be surprised if one or several private investigators contact you. Some really want to help and will be willing to do so for a
portion of the reward money. Others will ask you for exclusive contracts and payments. There are very reputable firms and there are some that may be less
ethical. When my parents went missing one firm spent 4 hours talking to various family members and then said they were positive they could find my parents. But
first they needed us to sign a consent form. The consent form also required a hefty deposit and agreement to pay future fees regardless of the outcome of the
investigation. When I declined, they wrote a letter to the police stating that their interviews concluded that I had murdered my parents and that the police should
consider me suspect number one. Just be careful if you talk to or use a private investigation firm. Note: One item I wish I had used a Private investigator for was
for finger printing. Since the police refused to fingerprint, I could have hired a PI to do it and a year long search could have ended in weeks.
7.5. Nut jobs - BEWARE well meaning people, some con artist, and others that are just confused will offer advice, false information, etc. An example was after a
news story ran we got a call at 11pm. The caller said he had information about what happened to my parents and needed to meet with me ASAP. We arranged a
meeting and the gentleman was very sincere in his convictions but totally incorrect about the facts and what had happened.
7.6. Search the web for help. There are some good sites with tips and advice ranging from your well being to assistance with locating a missing person.
Caution: There are those that would prey on your vulnerability. Be cautious!!
7.7. Sometimes reward money is needed. You may be able to have a fund raiser. If you do have a fund raiser, you will need to have a separate account set aside for the
money raised and the tracking of money into and out of the account. Ask your local bank, attorney, accountant, etc for their advice.
7.8 Money will be an issue. You will have extra expenses like, food, maybe hotel, phone, printing for flyers, gas, etc. Keep track of your expenses closely ask a tax
professional or accountant for help in knowing what expenses might be deductable.
7.9. Some organizations like ours, your church, your friends, etc might be able to help with donations of various types. If you’re in need…it never hurts to ask
7.10. There may be bills coming in that the missing person would be responsible to pay. Mortgage, rent, utilities, credit card, etc. You need to get legal advice on how to
handle these. Start by finding contatcing their bank and ask them for their advice. Find out if there is a power of attorney or authorized signer and the account.
7.11 There be money coming in for the missing person. Using or depositing some type of funds may be illegal or may have to be repaid to the issuing institution. Social
Security, disabilities, etc. you need to get advice from a lawyer and/or an accountant.
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Step 7 - Getting help 
