Las Vegas, NV (KXNT) - The Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner (CCOCME) will host the first ever “Missing In Nevada Day” Saturday, February 1st from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Clark County Government Center. The event is free and open to the public.
The Coroner’s Office hopes the public uses the opportunity to report missing loved ones and allow staff to gather information with the goal of reconnecting and providing answers.
DNA samples can be collected from close family members to create a profile for a missing person. Families are encouraged to bring photographs, medical records, dental records, and/or fingerprints of their missing loved ones.
“Right now, there are more than 200 missing and more than 300 unidentified individuals in the state of Nevada alone. We are proactively working to reduce those numbers,” said Melanie Rouse, Clark County Coroner. “We know some people may be afraid to come forward or are confused on how the process works and we hope this event makes it easy and stress-free for everyone. Creating a day for people to come forward and report a missing person in a non-confrontational and non-intimidating setting will not only aid in the identification of unidentified decedents but also can lead to the reunification of family members, providing closure, and healing.”
The CCOCME investigates all deaths by violence, criminal means, suicide, or any unattended death for Clark County. Additionally, CCOCME provides coroner/medical examiner services to Lincoln, Nye, and White Pine Counties. The coroner’s office is required by state statute to provide identification of deceased individuals, perform autopsies/medical examinations, and to make notification to next of kin.