The University of Central Oklahoma’s Forensic Science Department is hosting Missing Persons Day once again, partnering with state agencies to offer a range of resources and support to families of missing persons. Attendees will have the opportunity to receive free DNA testing and connect face-to-face with investigators in hopes of finding answers.
Last year, individuals like Merrilyn Benson, whose husband is missing, attended the event seeking help. Benson’s husband, Bruce, disappeared in November of the previous year and is among the 697 Oklahomans currently missing. The event allowed Benson to connect with others in similar situations and find support. Another family, the Esteps, also found answers at the event after a decade of searching for their missing loved one, Tommy. Their persistence paid off when they learned that Tommy’s remains were discovered near his abandoned truck. The Esteps are now sharing their story to offer hope to others still searching for missing loved ones and to provide assistance to law enforcement agencies.
This year’s Missing Persons Day event is scheduled for April 27th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Forensic Science Institute. Seven of the state’s 12 law enforcement agencies dedicated to finding missing persons will be present, offering stories like the Esteps’ as inspiration and encouragement for those in need of guidance on how to find answers about their loved ones’ disappearance