Did You Know...

Exactly two years ago, my 18-year-old cousin Marizela (known affectionately to her family and friends as “Emem” or “Mei”) Perez disappeared from the University of Washington campus in Seattle.

She is still missing.

We have no news to report, no breakthroughs, no contact, no cell phone/Internet activity, no word from the police. Please continue to keep her and her parents in your thoughts and prayers. Please take a look at Marizela’s missing person flyer and keep an eye out.

Please take nothing in life for granted.

Emem, we love you.

Lahat ay magiging maayos.

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5 quick lessons for families whose young adults go missing:

1) Document EVERYTHING.

2) Take an immediate and full inventory of your loved one’s Internet footprint — every email account, Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, and social networking account.

3) Don’t assume the police are pinging cell phones, obtaining Internet or phone records, or obtaining surveillance camera video. Don’t assume anything.

4) Make sure your loved one’s info gets into the NAMUS database immediately.

5) Don’t be afraid to be a squeaky wheel. If you don’t speak up, no one will.

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Previous:

The Search for Marizela: A Thanksgiving note
Happy Birthday, Marizela
Marizela featured on America’s Most Wanted; Plus: Other young missing women in the Pacific Northwest
Finding Marizela: New tip line, billboards, and missing persons resources
Missing: Marizela Perez
Full archive