The disappearance of Gabby Petito captured the nation’s attention and attracted the sleuthing skills of thousands on social media who shared her story and even turned up leads. Thousands more need that same level of care and attention, too, officials say.
FBI data shows that hundreds of thousands of people disappear each year. In 2020, more than 540,000 people went missing, including more than 340,000 juveniles, according to the data.
FBI performed an internal audit of field offices in May. It compiled a list of 43 missing person cases that involved people under 21 years of age. The FBI believes they need new leads. Some date back decades.
The agency conducted the audit around National Missing Children’s Day, May 25, as part of an annual practice of taking inventory of ongoing cases, said Siobhan Johnson, an FBI special agent and spokesperson in Chicago who provided the list to USA TODAY.
“We are just looking for fresh leads,” Johnson noted that the list isn’t comprehensive. “Now is a good time to start soliciting for additional information.”
Thomas Lauth, who runs a missing person agency in Indianapolis, said the combination of factors in Petito’s case — the multiple states involved, videos of the couple arguing and a 911 call about her fiancé slapping her — made for headlines.
But underlying all this is what experts call “missing white woman syndrome,” in which white women — particularly young, attractive and blonde — get the majority of the media’s attention.
Lauth suggests that clients of all income levels create GoFundMe accounts, hold vigils and contact the media to raise awareness. FBI list of 43 unsolved missing cases of people under the age of 21
Here’s the list, by date of disappearance:
Daniel Barter was 4 years old when he went missing from Perdido Bay, Alabama, on June 18, 1959.
William “Billy” Ebeneezer Jones Jr. was 3 when he went missing from Vineland, New Jersey, on Dec. 17, 1962.
Christine Marie Eastin was 19 when she went missing from Hayward, California, on Jan. 18, 1971.
Margaret Ellen Fox was 14 when she went missing from Burlington, New Jersey, on June 24, 1974.
David Williams was 12 andSteven Anderson was 17 when they went missing from Pemberton Township, New Jersey, on April 7, 1975.
Tammy Mahoneywas 19 when she went missing from Oneida, New York, on May 8, 1981.
Anthonette Christine Cayeditowas 9 when she went missing from Gallup, New Mexico, on April 6, 1986.
Tara Leigh Calicowas 19 when she went missing from Valencia County, New Mexico, on Sept. 20, 1988.
Ilene Beth Misheloffwas 13 when she went missing from Dublin, California, on Jan. 30, 1989.
Mark Himebaugh was 11 when he went missing from Del Haven, New Jersey, on Nov. 25, 1991.
Crystal Ann Tymich was 6 when she went missing from South Los Angeles, California, on June 30, 1994.
Cayce Lynn McDaniel was 14 when she went missing from Milan, Tennessee, on Aug. 16, 1996.
Kristen Modafferi was 18 when she went missing from San Francisco, California, on June 23, 1997.
Suzanne G. Lyall was 19 when she went missing from Albany, New York,onMarch 2, 1998.
Karla Rodriguez was 7 when she went missing from Las Vegas, Nevada, on Oct. 20, 1999.
Asha Jaquilla Degreewas 9 when she went missing from Shelby, North Carolina, on Feb. 14, 2000.
Steven Earl Kraft, Jr. was 12 when he went missing from Benton Township, Michigan, on Feb. 15, 2001.
Bethany Leanne Markowski was 11 when she went missing on March 4, 2001. Undetermined location.
Shausha Latine Hensonwas 2 months andShaina Ashley Kirkpatrickwas 3 when they went missing while en route to Sacramento, California, on April 4, 2001.
Wesley Dale Morgan was 2 when he went missing from Clinton, Louisiana, on May 15, 2001.
Diamond Yvette Bradley was 3 andTionda Z. Bradley was 10when they went missing from Chicago, Illinois, on July 6, 2001.
Rachel Louise Cookewas 19 when she went missing from Georgetown, Texas, on Jan. 10, 2002.
Alexis S. Patterson was 7 when she went missing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on May 3, 2002.
Tabitha Danielle Tuderswas 13 when he went missing from Nashville, Tennessee, on April 29, 2003.
Joshua Keshaba Sierra Garcia was 1 when he went missing from Mexico City, Mexico, on Aug. 12, 2003.
Amber Elizabeth Cates was 16 when she went missing from Columbia, Tennessee, on April 11, 2004.
Ashley Summers was 14 when she went missing fromCleveland, Ohio, on July 7, 2007.
Kyron Richard Hormanwas 7 when he went missing from Portland, Oregon, on June 4, 2010.
Shanna Genelle Peoples was 19 when she went missing from Geneva, Alabama, on Sept. 8, 2011.
Keiosha Marie Felix was 15 when she went missing fromDuson, Louisiana, on April 30, 2012.
Myra Lewis was 2 when she went missing from Camden, Mississippi, on March 1, 2014.
Kaylah Hunter was 9 andKristian Justicewas 7 months when they went missing from Detroit, Michigan, on May 24, 2014.
Belel Kandil was 8 andAmina Kandil was 10 when they went missing from New York City onAug. 29, 2014.
Sara Nicole Graham was 18 when she went missing en route to Pembroke, North Carolina, on Feb. 4, 2015.
Arianna Fitts was 2 when she went missing from Oakland, California, on Feb. 1, 2016.
Lashaya Stine was 16 when she went missing from Aurora, Colorado, on July 15, 2016.
Sunny Sramekwas 18 when she went missing from Trenton, Nebraska, on April 20, 2019.
Dulce Maria Alavez was 5 when she went missing from Bridgeton, New Jersey, on Sept. 16, 2019.