Finding People Who Don’t Want to Be Found
There are many reasons someone will go missing. Sometimes this is because they have been abducted or kidnapped, but often people go missing because they have a mental illness or are escaping from abusive situations. Other people choose to disappear for fear of debts, trouble with the law, or because they have done something very shameful.
Other people simply want to walk away from their old life and begin anew. In most cases, if you suspect someone has been abducted or kidnapped, the best thing to do will be to contact the police. The authorities can then begin the process of their own investigation and often find the person in question.
If a person has been gone for more than 24 hours, a missing person report can be filed. But, what can be done in a situation where a missing person has no desire to be found? This is often the situation with people who have gone off the grid or have run away. The best way to begin will be through proper legal channels, but after this, it may be necessary to begin your own investigation.
The police are not always as responsive or helpful as they could be. Sometimes making information unavailable or making it difficult to contact the person in question. In such a situation, you may want to hire a private investigator to trace a person, or even retain the services of a professional investigator. Here are some handy tips you can use to begin looking for someone who would rather not be found.
How to find someone Who Doesn’t Want to Be Found
1. Search Engines and Social Media
As you may have imagined, the first place to begin looking will be with internet searches. Google is so effective and ubiquitous today it has been inducted as a verb in the official language, so begin by “googling” the person you are looking for.
Search engines are the first place to begin, but you can take this a step further by looking through social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. It boggles the mind how many people will place pictures of themselves online. Even burglars and thieves have been found taking snapshots of themselves and posting them online, sometimes taking selfies with the stolen merchandise.
To begin by collecting all the information you have on a person and begin crunching names, details, and keywords through search engines of all types. There are also specialized people search engines, such as Information, that can help you find all the details you need about a person.
Some of the key points to include in your search can be:
- Full name, nicknames, family names
- Friends and family members
- Hometown/last known/current city/state
- Date/city/state of birth
- Former and recent employers
- High school and/or college names
- Any hobbies, social groups, or churches
The best way to begin your search is with the internet. Begin with social media pages and even professional directories like LinkedIn. But, never underestimate the potential of the Google search engine for finding what you are looking for. Even if they have been off the grid for a while, this is the best place to start.
2. Keep in Contact with Family
Another great way to look for a missing person will be to keep in contact with their close friends and family. The brain works in a funny way and often friends and family will remember small details weeks later. They may be more inclined to share these with you than with the police detectives that arrive to investigate the disappearance. Furthermore, the missing person may make contact with their loved ones to share news or ask for money or resources.
3. Hospitals
You should also check in with local hospitals. Medical institutions have a legal code to not reveal information to the public, but you can at least ask if someone by a specific name is present at the hospital. The police may do this once, but it is very likely they will not check in regularly. So if you keep checking in to see if a “John” or “Jane Doe” have been admitted to the hospital recently.
4. Posters and Pictures
It could also be helpful to post pictures and pass out flyers with the person you are looking for. Be sure to include your contact information and a picture or description of the person in question. Again, it is not likely the police will take such steps to find the missing person so this can be a good way to find who you are looking for.
5. Digital Footprints
If the person has paid taxes, owned a phone, used their social security number to get a job, or voted, they may be located through internet searches. These things all leave behind a digital footprint. If they have never done any of these things it could be a bit harder for you to locate them. In this case, it may be best to hire a professional to do the leg work.
6. Private Investigators
Finally, the private investigator will have a wide range of skills and methods as well as access to digital databases that you may not be aware of. Furthermore, they will be able to get boots on the ground and do the hard work of investigating leads personally.
