More than 600,000 men, women and children are reported missing in the United States each year.
Please take a few moments to read the stories of this week's missing people. If you recognize one of them, help end a family’s uncertainty by contacting the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Typically someone, somewhere knows or sees something that could help law enforcement recover a missing person. And whether you realize it or not, that someone could be you.
Christan Anders
Authorities in Texas are investigating the disappearance of 14-year-old Christan Anders. According to the National Center For Missing & Exploited Children, Anders has not been seen since Sept. 7, when she apparently left her Hubbard home. Authorities said Anders is considered “endangered” because she may be in the company of an adult male. Investigators suspect they may be traveling to Tennessee. She is described as 130 pounds and 5 feet 2 inches tall, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information is asked to contact NCMEC at (800) 843-5678.
Howard Bassett
Eighty-three-year-old Howard Bassett, of Chino Valley, Ariz., has not been seen since Sept. 14, when he left the hotel he was staying at in Mogollon, N.M. According to state police, Bassett was evacuated from the Silver Creek Inn when a flash flood warning was issued. He never returned for his belongings and did not return home Monday, as he had planned. On Wednesday, Bassett's truck was found in mud debris near State Road 159. Bassett was not inside the vehicle. Anyone who has seen Howard Bassett is asked to contact New Mexico State Police at (505) 827-9300.
UPDATE: Authorities in New Mexico say they believe they have located the body of Howard Bassett. A positive identification is pending.
Amanda “Nykki” Nicole Covey
Authorities in Flagstaff, Ariz., are trying to locate 29-year-old Amanda Covey. She was last seen the afternoon of Sept. 15, when she left Hidden Hollow Trailer Park to take a walk. She was expected to return within two hours, but has not been seen since. Covey is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, about 220 pounds, with black, mohawk-style hair and hazel eyes. She is also known to wear a red wig. Covey was last seen wearing a black corset top, black leather pants and riding boots. She has multiple tattoos, including black stars below her right eye; a rose on one shoulder and eyes on the other; and a tribal symbol and the word "Featherwood" on her back. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Coconino County Sheriff's Office at (928) 774-4523.
Megan Ellison
Megan Ellison, 16, of West Virginia, has been missing since Sept. 10. She was last seen at her home in Parkersburg. According to the Parkersburg Police Department and the Center for Search & Investigations, Ellison has a serious medical condition. "Megan is a beloved daughter who has many friends and family members who are pleading with the public to help bring her home," authorities said in a press release. Investigators believe Ellison could be in the company of 18-year-old Joseph Adam Eklund. Police said Eklund is wanted for felony grand larceny and misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Ellison is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall and 115 lbs., with blonde hair with black color underneath and blue eyes. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Parkersburg police detective Jay Corbitt at (304) 424-8444.
John Holguin Espinoza
Authorities in Delano, Calif., are seeking the public's help in locating 88-year-old John Espinoza. According to the Delano Police Department, Espinoza was last seen at his home on the afternoon of Sept. 18. He left in his grey 2013 Hyundai Sonata, license plate 6YJC633, and was en route to the 1000 block of Dover Place. He has not been seen since. Espinoza is described as a Hispanic man, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 140 pounds. He has gray hair and brown eyes, a skull and crossbones tattoo on his right shoulder and was last seen wearing eyeglasses. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Delano Police Department at (661) 721-3377.
UPDATE: John Holquin Espinoza has been found deceased in the trunk of his car in the Friant-Kern Canal. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death. Authorities are treating the investigation as a homicide.
Alexis Jackson
Eighteen-year-old Alexis Jackson was last seen in Fresno, Calif., on Sept. 18. According to police, Jackson left her home at about 2 a.m. She is depressed and her family is worried about her safety. Jackson is described as 115 pounds and 5 feet 4 inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. It is believed she is wearing hiking boots and carrying a blue backpack. Anyone with information is asked to call the Fresno Police Department at (559) 621-7000 or (559) 621-2499.
UPDATE: Alexis Jackson has been found safe. She was recovered after a couple spotted her near the San Joaquin River Mobile Home Park. She has since been reunited with her family.
Ebony Jefferson
The Black And Missing But Not Forgotten organization reports that Virginia police are trying to locate Ebony Jefferson. The 13-year-old from Hampton was last seen on Sept. 13. No further details on her disappearance are available at this time. She is described as African-American, 100 pounds and 5 feet 5 inches tall. She has black hair and brown eyes. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a black shirt and red pants. She has a tattoo on her left arm. Anyone with information on Jefferson’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Virginia Missing Children's Clearinghouse at (800) 822-4453 or the Hampton Police Department at (757) 727-6111.
Matriesha Peters
Matriesha Peters, 12, of Columbus, Ohio, was last seen at about 5 p.m. Thursday at her Greenway Avenue home. The girl's mother told police she may have left the home through a bathroom window. Authorities have issued a missing child alert for the girl, but no further details are available at this time. Peters is described as an African-American female. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Columbus Division of Police Missing Persons Unit at (614) 645-4545.
Charles Sands
Police in Naples, Fla., are asking for the public's help locating 65-year-old Charles Sands. He was last seen Sept. 18 at his Crown Drive home. Investigators said Sands has medical issues and family members are concerned he may harm himself. He is described as 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 175 pounds, with gray hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing a white shirt and gray shorts. Anyone with any information regarding Sands' whereabouts is asked to contact the Collier County Sheriff's Office at (239) 252.9300.
UPDATE: Charles Sands has been located and is safe. No further details are available at this time.
David Yglesias III
Aug. 24 was the last time family members saw 14-year-old David Yglesias III., of Imperial, Calif. According to the Imperial Police Department, the teen was last seen at his home. When his father went into his room to check on him on Aug. 24, he found a typed note on his son's computer that said he did not think he could make it in the world and did not want his family to blame themselves. In addition to Yglesias, a .22-caliber rifle is missing from the family's home. The teen is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs between 110 and 120 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is asked to contact Imperial Police at (760) 355-1158 or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at (800) 843-5678.
COLD CASE OF THE WEEK:
Colin Gillis
Colin Gillis, 18, of Tupper Lake, N.Y., has been missing since March 12, 2012. He was last seen walking along State Route 3 between Tupper Lake and Piercefield. According to New York State Police, multiple searches have been conducted and to date, nothing of interest has been found. Gillis is described as 5 foot 8 inches tall and 170 lbs. He was last seen wearing a white shirt with black stripes, blue jeans and red sneakers. Anyone with any information is asked to contact state police at (518) 897-2000.
Each and every missing person, regardless of age, race, gender and circumstance, deserves to be found. Please join us in our campaign to raise awareness by sharing the link to this story on your social media accounts.
This story has been updated with news of John Holquin Espinoza's death, the possible recovery of Howard Bassett's body and the safe recovery of Charles Sands and Alexis Jackson.
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