What a relief, she's home now. Not sure what ensued but good this ordeal is over.

[pinkypop]

What a relief, she's home now. Not sure what ensued but good this ordeal is over. Thanks for chiming people.

This is not a joke so I hope you will all be courteous enough not to troll on this thread.

Besides getting in touch with the Police, what else can the family do?

A relative of a family friend had already been missing since Sunday evening and believe me, this kind, considerate and mature individual will not pull a stunt like that to traumatize the family.

It could have happened at a big box retailer parking lot.

Any advice will be appreciated.

[FrogPrince]

Age of missing person?

[4flava]

I also hope this is not a joke but there really isn't much to do on your own except contact all his friends/family and hope they might have a clue. Provide as much detail as you can to the officers and maybe start searching his regular hangout spots?

Good luck.

[gman]

Beside calling police (and I assume that was done already), not much.

Standard but not effective stuff includes:

1. calling his/her friends.
2. pray.

[pinkypop]

Age of missing person?

50ish, female. Normal and not undergoing any psychiatric or mind disorder treatments. I can vouch that she is mentally stable and have been a good wife / mother.

[pinkypop]

Beside calling police (and I assume that was done already), not much.

Standard but not effective stuff includes:

1. calling his/her friends.
2. pray.

Thank you gman. We are already praying for her. Hoping a ransom money will be asked of the family and that she is kept from harm.

[flashy_mcflash]

This is not a joke so I hope you will all be courteous enough not to troll on this thread.

Besides getting in touch with the Police, what else can the family do?

A relative of a family friend had already been missing since Sunday evening and believe me, this kind, considerate and mature individual will not pull a stunt like that to traumatize the family.

It could have happened at a big box retailer parking lot.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Do they have a history of mental illness or anything like that [e: I see this has been answered]? The best tac is to contact the police and get the word out to as many outlets as you can.

[danfromwaterloo]

This is not a joke so I hope you will all be courteous enough not to troll on this thread.

Besides getting in touch with the Police, what else can the family do?

A relative of a family friend had already been missing since Sunday evening and believe me, this kind, considerate and mature individual will not pull a stunt like that to traumatize the family.

It could have happened at a big box retailer parking lot.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Basically, nothing.

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

[DearSummer]

Talk to everybody who knows her to find out if they know anything. Try to retrace her last known whereabouts. Talk to people there. Put up missing signs in the area with her picture to solicite feedback on if people have seen her. Get police to try to access cell phone records. Don't assume kidnapping or anything else. There are a lot of possibilities.

[D-Roc]

Take out ad space in major newspapers (and even local ones) that has their pic, details of what he was last wearing, any identifying marks, last know location, places he frequents.

Sounds silly, but Facebook. I have seen these type of things go around. Some fake and some real. I just shared one on my wall that is a cousin who went missing of a friend of mine.

[pinkypop]

Take out ad space in major newspapers (and even local ones) that has their pic, details of what he was last wearing, any identifying marks, last know location, places he frequents.

Sounds silly, but Facebook. I have seen these type of things go around. Some fake and some real. I just shared one on my wall that is a cousin who went missing of a friend of mine.

Sounds good but if highly publicized, we're all thinking it would cause more harm that good especially if it's a case of kidnapping.

[gman]

Sounds good but if highly publicized, we're all thinking it would cause more harm that good especially if it's a case of kidnapping.

Is there any evidence to suggest it is a kidnapping?
If it is a kidnapping, the family should have been contacted by now.

[MrKap]

Well, I called in a missing person once. But since I could only report that I had seen them very recently, it wasn't any use. If someone finds them, they have to pretty much have them or know exactly where they are otherwise it's just hearsay. I responded to one of those posters people put up and the missing person had psychiatric problems.

I know someone who went missing once. The downside to finding them was that the family member who found them will probably be scarred from the experience.

We're they on anti-depressants, or in a huge amount of debt, ect...

I guess another possibility if they took off with a car, and had some sort of savings, they could have just decided to leave.

[FrogPrince]

Does the missing person speak english?

Why would you think there'd be a ransom demand?

[pinkypop]

Well, I called in a missing person once. But since I could only report that I had seen them very recently, it wasn't any use. If someone finds them, they have to pretty much have them or know exactly where they are otherwise it's just hearsay. I responded to one of those posters people put up and the missing person had psychiatric problems.

I know someone who went missing once. The downside to finding them was that the family member who found them will probably be scarred from the experience.

We're they on anti-depressants, or in a huge amount of debt, ect...

Not on medication, just owes a bit on a mortgage, no suicidal tendencies and a loving family. Children are well-established too. I have read about all these pranks and people with mental disorders and I'm 99% sure she isn't one of those.

[pinkypop]

Does the missing person speak english?

Why would you think there'd be a ransom demand?

Because we believe in HOPE. Yes, the sad thing about Western countries is a lot of kidnappers or abductors are cuckoos unlike the more rationale counterparts in developing countries that primarily do it for $ (excluding the jiaddists of course whose souls deserve to rot in hell).

[Xeros]

What's so special about this person that other people will go through the lengths of trouble to kidnap?

Does she have information? Is she used as leverage? Does she have access to something secure?

What makes you think this is a kidnapping?

[MrKap]

Well I don't know what the police do exactly, but why not contact the big box store to see if they can help. Or why not call the car pounds to see if the car has ended up there? Maybe the Big Box store keeps a record of the cars they call in to get towed? Maybe they keep some sort of camera on the parking lots?

I am guessing there is a car involved.

Maybe she has a credit card or something and with the permission of the spouse, a request to cancel the card or to review the recent payments might be possible?

Maybe she uses a computer, with some sort of password keychain and accessing email or other things might be possible?

[D-Roc]

Sounds good but if highly publicized, we're all thinking it would cause more harm that good especially if it's a case of kidnapping.

If you think it is a kidnapping, then there is nothing you can nor should do other than contact the Police.

Please answer why you think it could be a kidnapping??

[diggler649]

Anyone have access to her financial records? Bank withdrawals, credit card purchases?

What about cell phone records? Any recent calls made? Numbers not recognized?

[gretzky99]

What's so special about this person that other people will go through the lengths of trouble to kidnap?

Does she have information? Is she used as leverage? Does she have access to something secure?

What makes you think this is a kidnapping?

+1

What makes you think it is kidnapping?! :|

[pinkypop]

If you think it is a kidnapping, then there is nothing you can nor should do other than contact the Police.

Please answer why you think it could be a kidnapping??

Without a cellphone and not knowing how to drive and last seen at a big box store parking lot with the family (went in herself), and being mentally stable, what else can I think of?


Anyone have access to her financial records? Bank withdrawals, credit card purchases?

What about cell phone records? Any recent calls made? Numbers not recognized?

Police has the records now.

[gman]

Without a cellphone and not knowing how to drive and last seen at a big box store parking lot with the family (went in herself), and being mentally stable, what else can I think of?



Police has the records now.

I can think of many things before kidnapping. With the limited information you provided, I would say the chance of kidnapping is very low.

[D-Roc]

Without a cellphone and not knowing how to drive and last seen at a big box store parking lot with the family (went in herself), and being mentally stable, what else can I think of?



Police has the records now.

First thing is not to jump to conclusions that it might be a kidnapping. Second, how well do you know this friend's family member who went missing? Your friend may say there are no mental issues, etc, but they may not be giving you the entire picture. Maybe they do not even know the entire picture. Kidnappings do not happen often for no reason and they do not just choose a random person out of the blue. The person being kidnapped would have been targeted for a specific reason.

Really the best thing to do is let the Police do their job. Other than put flyers up around your area as one member suggested or what I suggested, really there is not much else to do, but pray/hope and be there for your friend.

[gretzky99]

Can she speak English? Does she know that area well?

[Agafaba]

Were they waiting for her outside, or more specifically would she have had to go missing inside the big box store? If thats the case I would say its a bit too public to make a kidnapping likely, assuming she put up any struggle it would have been noticed.

What can you do? I would ask the police, if they say its ok then put up ads to look for her in the paper or around town where the store is located.

[MrKap]

So basically you're saying the person went into a big box store and never came out again?

Sue the Big Box Store!

[Mr Nobody]

Make use of current technology: Get her description and picture out on social media - facebook, twitter, forums like this.

Additionally:
- Old school missing persons photo on lamp poles around the neighbourhood.
- Talk to news media. Get it on 6 o'clock news, radio, etc.

[Shaner]

Adults rarely get kidnapped randomly. It's even less likely for an adult to be kidnapped inside a store.

Have you contacted the police yet? If not, why haven't you?

Something is definitely missing from this story, or the whole thing is made up

[Xeros]

Maybe we should follow the K.I.S.S. principle and not jump to the extreme. Perhaps she just got sick of being a good wife/mother and left the family. Any reason why that couldn't happen?

[gretzky99]

Yes, the sad thing about Western countries is a lot of kidnappers or abductors are cuckoos unlike the more rationale counterparts in developing countries that primarily do it for $ (excluding the jiaddists of course whose souls deserve to rot in hell).


hmmm...:eek::eek:

[SoBored]

So the family/someone brought her to the store and she went in alone?

Ask the big box store to review camera footage (you might need a police escort/order to do so), if the story is indeed true then the camera should show if she left alone and what not. I don't think anyone is going to kidnap a grown woman outside of a big box store but you never know. What would the motive be??

To be honest, if this story is true, I would put more money on her getting tired of her life and looking to escape, without 'hurting' her children or spouse. It does happen often with spouses disappearing or even faking their deaths.

Or if she went alone maybe she got into an accident or something and the news hasn't been reported yet to next-of-kin.

OR, maybe the spouse/family had something to do with her disappearance (heinous thought, I know, but it is always a possibility)

Anyways, the camera footage should solve atleast a few questions

[mrperfect]

As others suggested, dont understimate the power of social media. Try pasting notices on street signs/poles etc.
All the best, very sorry to hear that, hope things work out for better.

[gman]

It appears OP is just a bystander who is eager to help but without enough detail information. The missing person is a relative of a family friend. It is a rather long connection between him and the "victim". It is not his friend but a family friend and then a relative of the family friend. I don't expect too much detail would be exposed to him.

[bargainista!]

You could try contacting hospitals - it's possible that she suffered a medical emergency and was taken to a hospital. If she was unconscious and had no ID the hospital wouldn't be able to contact anyone.

[pinkypop]

I was in a five-hour meeting today but I was told that the lady is home.

Can't imagine the ordeal the family had to go through with.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

[Xeros]

So what was the reason she was gone?

1. Kidnapped?
2. Had enough with the crap at home and left for a break?
3. International super spy awaken from sleeper status to carry out a black operation?
4. Fugue state?

Enquiring minds need to know.

[epik89]

So what was the reason she was gone?

1. Kidnapped?
2. Had enough with the crap at home and left for a break?
3. International super spy awaken from sleeper status to carry out a black operation?
4. Fugue state?

Enquiring minds need to know.

quoted for quoting purposes

[manixc]

Good that this turns out well. So what happened?

[gretzky99]

Without a cellphone and not knowing how to drive and last seen at a big box store parking lot with the family (went in herself), and being mentally stable, what else can I think of?


This is my theory of what happened (I had a friend whose old grandma was missing for a day before, similar circumstances) :

The old lady was dropped off at the big box store. She had no cellphone, didn't know how to drive, didn't know the area well and didn't know directions well. She also didn't know how to speak English. The old lady gets lost inside the big box store. Panics, because she can't speak English and doesn't know directions, she finally finds another shopper that looks like they can speak the same language as her. They chit chat and talk about the good old times back when they lived in their Motherland. :cheesygri One thing leads to another and the other person invites the old lady to her house to play mah-Jong or go to Casino Niagara. The old lady has a grand old time playing mah Jong/casino that she loses track of time and literally plays for a full day or two until she realizes she better call the relatives about her whereabouts :facepalm:

The above is a true story that happened to my friend's old grandmother. Like OP, similar case, missing for a day or two, but family later hears back from the missing person saying she stayed out playing mah Jong/casino for a couple of days.

OP I bet this is what happened...

[gman]

This is my theory of what happened (I had a friend whose old grandma was missing for a day before, similar circumstances) :

The old lady was dropped off at the big box store. She had no cellphone, didn't know how to drive, didn't know the area well and didn't know directions well. She also didn't know how to speak English. The old lady gets lost inside the big box store. Panics, because she can't speak English and doesn't know directions, she finally finds another shopper that looks like they can speak the same language as her. They chit chat and talk about the good old times back when they lived in their Motherland. :cheesygri One thing leads to another and the other person invites the old lady to her house to play mah-Jong or go to Casino Niagara. The old lady has a grand old time playing mah Jong/casino that she loses track of time and literally plays for a full day or two until she realizes she better call the relatives about her whereabouts :facepalm:

The above is a true story that happened to my friend's old grandmother. Like OP, similar case, missing for a day or two, but family later hears back from the missing person saying she stayed out playing mah Jong/casino for a couple of days.

OP I bet this is what happened...

50 is not that old though.

[epik89]

50 is not that old though.

yeah my dads 50 but he has an iphone and is constantly on it.

i'll never lose him!

[Jimboski]

Yeah what happened? Good to hear that's shes safe/fine!

[pinkypop]

Yeah what happened? Good to hear that's shes safe/fine!

She needed time off from her family. Frankly, it wasn't very considerate of her to alarm loved ones like that.

This is sounding like the girl who cried wolf! :(

[deltone]

She needed time off from her family. Frankly, it wasn't very considerate of her to alarm loved ones like that.

This is sounding like the girl who cried wolf! :(

Wow, if that's the case, how selfish. My guess is there is more to it but the family is keeping the story as generic as possible. Glad to hear it has a happy ending though.

[gretzky99]

She needed time off from her family. Frankly, it wasn't very considerate of her to alarm loved ones like that.

This is sounding like the girl who cried wolf! :(

Interesting...
Especially how in your original post you were adamant that this "missing person" was a MATURE individual that wouldn't pull a stunt like this.



A relative of a family friend had already been missing since Sunday evening and believe me, this kind, considerate and mature individual will not pull a stunt like that to traumatize the family.



:facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:

[Bookpreviews]

This is my theory of what happened (I had a friend whose old grandma was missing for a day before, similar circumstances) :

The old lady was dropped off at the big box store. She had no cellphone, didn't know how to drive, didn't know the area well and didn't know directions well. She also didn't know how to speak English. The old lady gets lost inside the big box store. Panics, because she can't speak English and doesn't know directions, she finally finds another shopper that looks like they can speak the same language as her. They chit chat and talk about the good old times back when they lived in their Motherland. :cheesygri One thing leads to another and the other person invites the old lady to her house to play mah-Jong or go to Casino Niagara. The old lady has a grand old time playing mah Jong/casino that she loses track of time and literally plays for a full day or two until she realizes she better call the relatives about her whereabouts :facepalm:

The above is a true story that happened to my friend's old grandmother. Like OP, similar case, missing for a day or two, but family later hears back from the missing person saying she stayed out playing mah Jong/casino for a couple of days.

OP I bet this is what happened...

Well,
a few years ago my mother faked her own kidnapping.
She came to our house (I lives w my father, sister).
Mother came by when no one was home - she had keys...
Then throws some random items,chir on the front lawn.
We do not hear from her for a couple days.
-she leaves a message that "some people in a red car" came to get her and she can't say where she is at the moment (or something like that) and that we should call the police.
-I think my sister had called the police the first day when she found stuff on the front lawn.

-We did not hear from my mother for at least a week and the RCMP eventually was able to tell us that she was at a farm in Scotland and that since she is a adult can do what she wants.
Just a really really messed up whack story.

*I also know that my mother used the money I was supposed to have for University for her plane ticket...so that really su cked too.

[gretzky99]

Well,
a few years ago my mother faked her own kidnapping.
She came to our house (I lives w my father, sister).
Mother came by when no one was home - she had keys...
Then throws some random items,chir on the front lawn.
We do not hear from her for a couple days.
-she leaves a message that "some people in a red car" came to get her and she can't say where she is at the moment (or something like that) and that we should call the police.
-I think my sister had called the police the first day when she found stuff on the front lawn.

-We did not hear from my mother for at least a week and the RCMP eventually was able to tell us that she was at a farm in Scotland and that since she is a adult can do what she wants.
Just a really really messed up whack story.

*I also know that my mother used the money I was supposed to have for University for her plane ticket...so that really su cked too.

Very interesting. And your mom did this because?! :confused:

[Bookpreviews]

Very interesting. And your mom did this because?! :confused:

Because she is just very strange.

Last year my mother also made up some story on how she had to visit her sister as a "emergency" and just took off without telling her husband. All because she thought he would be annoyed if she visited her sister. (mother flew from US to Canadsa to visit her sister...).

Just a strange lady I guess,

[dirkpitt]

Because she is just very strange.

Last year my mother also made up some story on how she had to visit her sister as a "emergency" and just took off without telling her husband. All because she thought he would be annoyed if she visited her sister. (mother flew from US to Canadsa to visit her sister...).

Just a strange lady I guess,From the sounds of your two little anecdotes, your Mom has some serious issues and probably should some psychological assessment before she gets permanently lost for some neurotic reason. Get her some help! :confused:

[Bookpreviews]

From the sounds of your two little anecdotes, your Mom has some serious issues and probably should some psychological assessment before she gets permanently lost for some neurotic reason. Get her some help! :confused:

Well,
she does have "some issues" but I can't do anything about that as I am not in the same city or country as her right now.
My sister can deal with that as she never listens to me for anything.