North Carolina Takes Action to Provide New Tools for Families of Missing Persons
North Carolina is taking significant steps to support families searching for missing loved ones. In conjunction with Missing Person’s Awareness Day, Governor Roy Cooper declared, the State Bureau of Investigation joined forces with RTI International to host an event offering new tools and resources for families navigating the harrowing experience of a missing person case.
For Tracie Barbee, a mother whose daughter Jordan Smith went missing in Concord in April 2021, this event carried great importance. Barbee highlighted that her daughter’s disappearance was marked by an abrupt quietness on her social media accounts, causing concern. Recognizing the critical role that social media can play in the search for missing individuals, Barbee and her family turned to Smith’s online presence as a way to gather leads and find answers. Despite facing difficulties in receiving immediate support, Barbee remained determined, asserting, I want people to hear my voice as a mother, and I want to bring my child home, whatever that takes.
With the introduction of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) database, families like Barbee’s now have another powerful tool to aid their quest for answers. Donia Slack of RTI explained the functionality of NamUs, describing it as a public-facing database where families can present their loved ones’ cases to law enforcement agencies across the country. This platform facilitates the coordination of DNA samples, allowing investigators to match them with human remains and other evidence in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s database. By providing dental and medical records, as well as DNA samples, families assist in establishing connections that can lead to the resolution of cases. Even seemingly unrelated pieces of information can prove valuable, with Slack emphasizing how details entered into public databases can potentially contribute to resolving cases in unforeseen ways.
Barbee’s relentless efforts have now led to her daughter’s case being included in NamUs, giving her newfound hope and a sense of assurance. She expressed gratitude for this development, stating, Now I know if there’s any chance that she’s out there and found, they’ll have something to base that off of. While acknowledging that the resolution may not align precisely with her desired outcome, Barbee remains resolute in her determination to bring her daughter home, no matter the circumstances.
The importance of North Carolina’s commitment to assisting families in their search for missing loved ones cannot be overstated. With over 10,000 reported missing individuals in the state this year alone, the need for comprehensive tools and resources is evident. By partnering with organizations like RTI International and implementing innovative solutions such as NamUs, North Carolina is taking vital steps towards reducing the emotional anguish of affected families and increasing the chances of locating missing individuals.
Governor Roy Cooper’s declaration of Missing Person’s Awareness Day serves as a reminder that collective action and community support are essential in addressing this pressing issue. By shining a spotlight on the stories of missing persons and promoting initiatives like the creation of databases and enhanced collaboration between families and law enforcement agencies, North Carolina aims to empower families and bring solace to their lives.
