Family resources

If someone you love is missing, start here. These steps can help you report the case, keep important information organized, and share public information safely.

Need immediate help?

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

MMIPS is a public-awareness and family-support resource. It is not law enforcement and it is not a tip line. File official reports with the appropriate Tribal, local, state, or federal agency. NamUs and the BIA Missing and Murdered Unit may also be important official resources.

If someone is missing now

Start with official reporting. Then MMIPS can help with reviewed public awareness, profiles, flyers, and updates.

  1. Call 911 if there is immediate danger.
  2. Contact Tribal law enforcement and the appropriate local law-enforcement agency as soon as possible. You do not need to wait 24 hours.
  3. Ask for the agency case number. Write down the investigator's or family liaison's name and contact information.
  4. Ask the investigating agency whether the person has been entered into NCIC, the national law-enforcement database.
  5. Ask whether a NamUs record has been created. Save the NamUs number or link.
  6. Ask whether the person's Tribe, Tribal police, victim-services program, the BIA Missing and Murdered Unit, or the FBI should be contacted.
  7. Gather recent photos and basic identifying information, including clothing, vehicle details, and the last known time and general area.
  8. Keep private or dangerous details off social media. Send tips and sensitive information to the official investigating agency.

Emergency

If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical help, call 911 now.

Call 911

NamUs

NamUs is the national system for missing, unidentified, and unclaimed people. Ask the investigating agency whether a NamUs record exists and save the NamUs number.

Open NamUs

BIA Missing and Murdered Unit

The BIA Missing and Murdered Unit provides resources and contacts for missing or murdered Indigenous people.

Open BIA MMU

FBI tips

Use the FBI tip site when the FBI is involved or an official profile or flyer tells the public to send information there.

Open FBI tips

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

For a missing child, report to law enforcement first. You can also contact NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

Open NCMEC

StrongHearts Native Helpline

Confidential support for Native people and loved ones affected by domestic, dating, or sexual violence. Call 911 first for immediate danger.

Open StrongHearts

What to ask the agency

Keep a simple written record of who you spoke with, when you spoke, and what they told you. These details can also help MMIPS keep a public profile accurate.

Agency case numberLead investigator or family liaison contactNCIC entry confirmationNamUs number or linkOfficial tip line or public-information contactWhether a Tribal agency or BIA MMU has been notifiedOfficial flyer, if one existsWhat information is safe to share publicly

Before you share online

Helpful to share

Approved recent photos, the official contact, a broad last-known area, agency or NamUs numbers, the MMIPS profile link, and the current approved flyer.

Keep private

Rumors, public suspect accusations, private addresses, shelter or domestic-violence locations, graphic images, and exact sensitive locations.

Where tips go

Send tips to the official agency or tip line shown on the public profile. Use 911 for immediate danger. Do not send investigative tips to MMIPS.

Contact MMIPS

Use these addresses for site questions, corrections, removals, privacy questions, or updates to approved public information. Do not email emergency or investigative tips to MMIPS.

General: contact@mmips.com
Corrections/removals: corrections@mmips.com
Legal/privacy: legal@mmips.com