The disappearance of a friend

I got this e-mail this morning:

Mr. Frank, I just found out yesterday night that one of my best friends has been missing since Thursday afternoon. He had just moved 2 weeks ago to Los Angeles, California with his girlfriend, they didn’t know anyone at all who live there. On Thursday he told his girlfriend he was gona take a walk to the mall and never came back. He did not take a car and had little to no money with him, they are broke. His best friend from another town has no clue either. His g/f never filed a missing persons report and turned off his cell because someone was using it...which I thought was a dumb move. I live an hour away from LA can I still file a missing persons report? Would I have to drive up there? And I don’t know where the police station is or anything....any advice? I am getting extremely worried, he would have called me for sure, and we have been best friends for 4 years now.

My Reply:

Missing persons is what I do for living, so I have a little bit of experience on this. Based on some of the particulars you stated, i.e. Walking to the mall, never came back, left his car, someone was using his cell phone, didn't cancel prior arrangements etc. etc., this is a serious case that would be taken seriously by the police. The general rule is that the jurisdiction lies with the last place he/she was known to be so it would prudent to call the LAPD. You never mentioned how old your friend and why you making the report? And you stated” I just found out yesterday night that one of my best friends has been missing”
Found out from who?? And where is the family of this person in this picture? did anyone's contact the family? just a comment they are in LA and they are broke .....wow best place to start a new life!

My experience also gives me a red flag on the girlfriend not calling this in herself, yet took the time to cancel the phone... which I agree, is a bad move. It could be nothing, it could be something.

I would ask about any drug history. It’s not uncommon for a drug user to disappear, trade personal items for drugs etc. etc. I would also ask about any suicidal tendencies. Check recent computer history for clues.

In any event, a report needs to be made through the LAPD Missing Persons Bureau so he gets put into NCIC in the event he has police contact, it would come up.

Frank Crescentini
Private Investigator
California State License PI 18368
Missing Persons, Cold Cases Specialist