How to Write a Press Release for a Missing Person

A missing person press release is a one-page, factual summary that gives local reporters everything they need to run the story: who is missing, when and where they were last seen, what they look like, a photo, and who to call with information. Below is what to include, a fill-in template, and how to get it in front of the right newsrooms.

Updated November 15, 2026 · Crime Solvers Central, an independent, volunteer-run cold case site

The Press Release Builder writes a news release for any missing person, unsolved homicide, unidentified or unclaimed case on Crime Solvers Central, attaches the case photo, and finds the local TV, newspaper and radio newsrooms near where it happened.

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Before you send anything

Talk to the investigating agency first. Tell them you plan to contact the media, ask which details they want kept out, and confirm the phone number and case number to include.
Pick one family spokesperson whom reporters can call. It keeps the message consistent and protects everyone else's privacy.
Choose your best photo: recent, clear, face forward, and sent as a separate JPG file, not pasted into a document.

What to include in a missing person press release

A clear headline with the name and the news: "Family Asks Public's Help Finding Jane Doe, 34, Missing Since Nov. 12".
Dateline: the city, state and date the release is sent.
A first paragraph that answers who, what, when and where in two or three sentences. Many reporters only read this far.
Description: age, height, weight, hair and eye color, tattoos or scars, clothing, and vehicle if any.
Circumstances: the last known contact and anything unusual, only as much as police are comfortable releasing.
A short quote from the family about who the person is. One or two human sentences are what make it a story.
The call to action: "Anyone with information is asked to call the [Agency] at [phone], case number [#]."
Media contact: the spokesperson's name, phone and email, and when they are available for interviews.
"###" at the end, which tells newsrooms the release is complete.

Missing person press release template

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Family Asks Public's Help Finding [Full Name], [Age], Missing Since [Date]

[CITY, STATE] - [Date] - The family of [Full Name], [age], of [city], is asking for the public's help finding [him/her/them]. [First name] was last seen on [date] at about [time] near [location], and has not been heard from since. [The family has reported the disappearance to the [Agency], case number [#].]

[First name] is [height], about [weight] pounds, with [hair] hair and [eye] eyes. [He/She/They] [has a tattoo of ... / wears glasses]. [He/She/They] was last seen wearing [clothing]. [He/She/They] may be driving a [color, year, make, model], license plate [plate].

"[One or two sentences from the family about who they are and how much they are missed]," said [name], [relationship].

Anyone who has seen [First name] or has information is asked to call the [Agency] at [phone number] and reference case number [#]. [If you see [him/her/them], call 911.]

Media contact: [Name], [relationship], [phone], [email]. A photo of [First name] is attached.

###

How to send it to the media

Send it to local newsrooms, not individual reporters only: TV station assignment desks, newspaper news tip addresses and local radio news. Most list a "news tips" email or form on their website.
Paste the release into the body of the email and attach the photo. Many newsrooms don't open attached documents.
Use a short subject line with the name and the news: "Missing: Jane Doe, 34, last seen Nov. 12 in Springfield".
Send it in the morning on a weekday if you can, when assignment editors plan the day's stories.
Follow up once by phone a few hours later to make sure it reached the assignment desk, and offer an interview.
Be ready for interviews: have the photo, the key facts and the tip line number in front of you, and stick to what police have cleared.

When to send a new release

Reporters cover news, so send a new release when something changes: a new reward, a search event or vigil, an anniversary of the disappearance, new information from police, or an age-progression photo. For cold cases, anniversaries are often the best chance of new coverage.

The Press Release Builder writes a news release for any missing person, unsolved homicide, unidentified or unclaimed case on Crime Solvers Central, attaches the case photo, and finds the local TV, newspaper and radio newsrooms near where it happened. See membership options.

Write a press release now

Frequently asked questions

What should a missing person press release include?

A headline with the person's name and the news, the city and date, a first paragraph with who, what, when and where, a physical description, a short family quote, the police agency's phone number and case number, a media contact, and a photo sent as a separate JPG file.

Who should I send a missing person press release to?

Local TV station assignment desks, newspaper news tip addresses and local radio newsrooms near where the person went missing. The Crime Solvers Central Press Release Builder finds those newsrooms for you.

How long should a missing person press release be?

One page. Reporters decide quickly, so put the most important facts and the tip line number in the first paragraph and keep the rest short.

Should I check with police before contacting the media?

Yes. Ask the investigating agency which details to keep private and which phone number and case number to include, so the coverage helps the investigation.

How do I get the media to cover a cold case?

Give them a reason to run it now: an anniversary, a new reward, a vigil or search event, new information from police or an age-progression photo, and send a short, factual release with a photo and a family quote.

More help for families

Crime Solvers Central is an independent, volunteer-run case research and advocacy site, not a law enforcement agency. In an emergency call 911. Questions? Contact us.