Step 5: Bringing the search to a close
If the missing person has been found, it is important to conclude the previous search actions properly. This step informs you about a number of issues that briefly deserve your full attention. If the missing person has not been found, there are a number of other issues to keep in mind.
Has the person been found?
If the person has been found, it is important that the search process is carefully concluded. During the search, you probably approached people, received assistance, shared certain information, or handed out flyers.
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In this way they know that they can cease their activities.
In this way you will prevent them continuing with the investigation unnecessarily.
Give a brief account of how the search ended and thank them for their efforts.
This includes, for example, the log and the map.
It is unpleasant for the person involved if information about them going missing continues to circulate on the internet. You could also consider adding an update to such messages stating that the person is no longer missing.
Another good option is to post a message on the social media used, thanking everybody for their help and asking them to remove any content shared or copied.
It is unpleasant for the person involved if there are still photos and flyers lying about in those places.
Someone going missing can have huge emotional impact. Victim Support Netherlands will be there for you if this is the case.
Has the person still not been found?
It is luckily rare, but it is possible that all search efforts will have been in vain and that the coordinated search will be halted for the time being. Even if present search actions come to a standstill, you, the person left behind, will of course always be occupied with finding your loved one.
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Send a message to those people informing them of this decision. If appropriate, include a brief explanation of the reason thereof.
Looking for a missing person will often have an emotional impact. Victim Support Netherlands will be there for you if needed and can also offer practical help. Sometimes insurance payments will still have to be made, for example, or there may be problems with the mortgage on the missing person’s house. Victim Support Netherlands will help you with these processes.
The police can advise you on how to proceed further and inform you about the activities that they will continue to carry out.