Gabby Petito’s disappearance caught the nation’s attention and caught the detective skills of thousands on social media who shared her story and even found leads.
Thousands more also need the same level of care and attention, officials say.
Hundreds of thousands of people go missing each year, according to FBI data. In 2020, more than 540,000 people disappeared, including more than 340,000 minors, according to the data.
In May, the FBI conducted an internal audit of its field offices and compiled a list of 43 active missing persons cases under the age of 21 who the agency said need further leads. Some go back decades.
The agency conducted the audit around National Missing Children’s Day, May 25, as part of an ongoing annual case inventory practice, said Siobhan Johnson, a special agent and spokesperson for the FBI in Chicago who provided the list to USA TODAY.
“We’re just looking for new leads,” Johnson said, noting the list is not exhaustive. “Now is a good time to start soliciting additional information. “
Thomas Lauth, who runs a missing persons 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 fiance slapping her – made the headlines.
But underlying all of this is what experts refer to as “missing white woman syndrome,” in which white women – especially young, attractive, and blond – garner the majority of media attention.
Wealth and class also play a role, so much so that Lauth advises clients from all walks of life to create GoFundMe pages, hold vigils, contact the media, and be available for interviews to raise awareness.
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FBI list of 43 unresolved missing cases of people under 21
Here is the list, by date of disappearance:
Daniel Troc was 4 years old when he disappeared from Perdido Bay, Alabama on June 18, 1959.
William “Billy” Ebeneezer Jones Jr. was 3 years old when he disappeared from Vineland, New Jersey on December 17, 1962.
Christine marie eastin was 19 when she disappeared from Hayward, Calif. on January 18, 1971.
Margaret ellen fox was 14 when she disappeared from Burlington, New Jersey on June 24, 1974.
David williams was 12 years old and Steven anderson was 17 when they disappeared from Pemberton Township, New Jersey on April 7, 1975.
Tammy mahoney was 19 when she disappeared from Oneida, New York on May 8, 1981.
Anthonette Christine Cayedito was 9 when she disappeared from Gallup, New Mexico on April 6, 1986.
Tara Leigh Calico was 19 when she disappeared from Valencia County, New Mexico on September 20, 1988.
Ilene Beth Misheloff was 13 when she disappeared from Dublin, California on January 30, 1989.
Mark Himebaugh was 11 when he disappeared from Del Haven, New Jersey on November 25, 1991.
Ann Tymich Crystal was 6 when she disappeared from southern Los Angeles, California on June 30, 1994.
Cayce Lynn McDaniel was 14 when she disappeared from Milan, Tennessee on August 16, 1996.
Kristen modafferi was 18 when she disappeared from San Francisco, Calif. on June 23, 1997.
Suzanne G. Lyall was 19 when she disappeared from Albany, New York, to March 2, 1998.
Karla rodriguez was 7 when she disappeared from Las Vegas, Nevada on October 20, 1999.
Asha Jaquilla Diploma was 9 when she disappeared from Shelby, North Carolina on February 14, 2000.
Steven Earl Kraft, Jr. was 12 when he disappeared from Benton Township, Michigan on February 15, 2001.
Bethany leanne markowski was 11 when she went missing on March 4, 2001. The location is undetermined.
Shausha Latina Henson was 2 months old and Shaina Ashley Kirkpatrick was 3 when they went missing on their way to Sacramento, Calif. on April 4, 2001.
Wesley dale morgan was 2 years old when he disappeared from Clinton, Louisiana on May 15, 2001.
Diamond Yvette Bradley was 3 years old and Tionda Z. Bradley was 10 years old when they disappeared from Chicago, Illinois on July 6, 2001.
►Find out more about this case:Two missing sisters. A weird note. For 20 years, a family has been asking: Where are our daughters?
Rachel Louise Cooke was 19 when she disappeared from Georgetown, Texas on January 10, 2002.
Alexis S. Patterson was 7 years old when she disappeared from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 3, 2002.
Tabitha Danielle Tuders was 13 when he disappeared from Nashville, Tennessee on April 29, 2003.
Joshua Keshaba Sierra Garcia was 1 when he disappeared from Mexico City, Mexico on August 12, 2003.
Amber Elizabeth Cates was 16 when she disappeared from Columbia, Tennessee on April 11, 2004.
Ashley summers was 14 when she disappeared from Cleveland, Ohio, July 7, 2007.
Kyron Richard Horman was 7 when he disappeared from Portland, Oregon on June 4, 2010.
Shanna Genelle Peoples was 19 when she disappeared from Geneva, Alabama on September 8, 2011.
Keiosha Marie Felix was 15 when she disappeared from Duson, Louisiana, April 30, 2012.
Myra lewis was 2 years old when she went missing from Camden, Mississippi on March 1, 2014.
Hunter Kaylah was 9 years old and Kristian justice was 7 months old when they went missing from Detroit, Michigan on May 24, 2014.
Belel Kandil was 8 years old and Amina Kandil was 10 when they disappeared from New York on August 29, 2014.
Sara nicole graham was 18 when she disappeared en route to Pembroke, North Carolina on February 4, 2015.
Arianna Fitts was 2 years old when she went missing from Oakland, Calif. on February 1, 2016.
Lashaya stine was 16 when she went missing from Aurora, Colorado on July 15, 2016.
Sunny sramek was 18 when she went missing from Trenton, Nebraska on April 20, 2019.
Dulce Maria Alavez was 5 when she disappeared from Bridgeton, New Jersey on September 16, 2019.
Opinion:It’s good to want justice for Gabby Petito and to recognize the thousands of people still missing