Glendale, AZ – Families and friends of missing persons are being encouraged to attend the annual “Missing in Arizona” event this Saturday, October 18, at Arizona State University’s West Valley Campus in Glendale. The free, family-friendly event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and aims to help connect loved ones with investigative resources and DNA matching support.
According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, officials will be on site to take reports, collect DNA samples from close relatives, and gather identifying details to assist ongoing missing persons cases. The event is hosted by ASU’s School of Interdisciplinary Forensics and local law enforcement agencies.
Families are encouraged to bring photographs, medical and dental records, and fingerprints of their missing loved ones to help build or update investigative profiles. A candle-lighting ceremony honoring missing individuals will begin at 12:00 p.m., followed by a support group session for affected families from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Organizers say the goal is to provide hope and healing to families still searching for answers, while raising awareness across Arizona about the thousands of open missing person cases statewide.
Event participation is free and open to the public, though advance reservations are recommended for group sessions.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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