When someone you love disappears during a mental health crisis — depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or addiction — they need to be found by people who understand what they're going through. These cases represent the majority of SEARCH's work, and we bring compassion, behavioral expertise, and urgency to every one.
When someone goes missing during a mental health crisis, standard search methods aren't enough. A person in crisis doesn't behave like a typical missing person. Their movements are driven by fear, confusion, paranoia, or despair — not logic.
At SEARCH Investigations, mental health cases are what we do most. We understand the behavioral patterns behind depression, psychosis, mania, PTSD, and addiction. We know where people in crisis go, how they think, and — most importantly — how to approach them safely when we find them.
We've successfully located individuals that families and law enforcement believed were gone forever — people living in encampments, wandering disoriented, or hiding because their illness told them the world was a threat.
Compassionate Search
Every mental health crisis is different. We have training and experience across the full spectrum of conditions that lead to disappearances.
Individuals who have disappeared during severe depressive episodes or expressed suicidal thoughts. Time is critical, and our approach prioritizes rapid location and safe, gentle contact.
Missing persons experiencing hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia. We understand how psychosis affects movement patterns and decision-making, and use specialized approaches to locate and safely engage.
Individuals in manic or depressive episodes who may travel unpredictably, make impulsive decisions, or become unreachable. Our behavioral profiling tracks the patterns of manic movement.
Veterans, abuse survivors, and trauma sufferers who may flee triggers, isolate themselves, or live transient lifestyles disconnected from support systems. We approach with understanding, not authority.
Individuals who have disappeared into addiction — often found in encampments, shelters, or transient communities. We canvass these environments with experience and respect, connecting people to recovery resources.
Elderly individuals with cognitive decline who wander from home or care facilities. We hold specialized certification in Alzheimer's missing person behavior patterns and deploy rapid search techniques.
Our approach is built on a fundamental principle: the missing person is not a fugitive — they are someone in pain. Everything we do reflects that understanding, from how we search to how we make contact.
We do not chase, corner, or confront. We find, we assess, and we create a path toward safety — for the missing person and for the family.
Trauma-Informed Recovery
We deploy cutting-edge tools that most agencies don't have access to.
DJI Matrice M30T fleet detects body heat day or night, covering vast areas in hours
Analyze phone data and tower pings to trace last known movements and locations
Advanced location analysis using multiple data sources and movement patterns
Certified search dogs for live find and cadaver detection in any terrain
Social media analysis, email tracing, and digital footprint tracking
Access to investigative databases and resources not available to the public
From your first call to locating your loved one, here's what to expect.
Call us at 877-619-9890 any time, day or night. We'll gather initial information and assess your situation immediately.
We review all available information, identify leads, and develop a strategic search plan tailored to your specific case.
Once engaged, our team begins immediately — often within hours. We deploy technology, conduct interviews, and begin active searching.
You'll have direct communication with our lead investigator throughout. We provide regular updates and adjust strategy as needed.
Don't wait another minute. Call us for a free, confidential consultation. Our team is standing by 24/7 with the compassion and expertise these cases demand.
877-619-9890