Most Missing Persons Don’t Get Attention

Thousands of Californians are missing, and most of their cases have never grabbed media attention. As of the end of 2001, more than 43,000 adults were listed in the state Justice Department´s missing persons database as having disappeared under unknown or suspicious circumstances. Most of those cases haven´t grabbed the headlines as Laci Peterson has. Why? That´s a complicated question.

Marc Klaas´ 12 year old daughter, Polly, was kidnapped and murdered in 1993. He says that “pretty white girls” get the attention. And he says the drama of Peterson disappearing during the holidays keeps the media glare focused on her.

Nancy Ekelund´s 22 year old daughter, Lynsie, disappeared more than 2 years ago from their home in Placentia. She says her story has appeared in the newspaper just 3 times, and she says she´s angry that her daughter´s case hasn´t gotten more attention.