Arizonans grappling with the heartache of a missing loved one will find an opportunity for hope and healing on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Arizona State University's West Valley Campus is set to host a resource event dedicated to aiding families and friends in their search for the long-term missing. From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 4701 W. Thunderbird Rd, Glendale, community members can gather to connect with officials, share information, and support one another in a collective journey towards closure.
The event's goal is not only to provide a platform for families to report new information but also to help create comprehensive profiles for the missing using DNA samples collected from close relatives. According to information published by Pinal County, attendees are encouraged to bring along photos, medical and dental records, and fingerprints of their missing loved ones. Such efforts are in hopes of jump-starting stalled cases and to strongly use new data to aid in the ongoing investigations.
Amidst the provision of practical support, the gathering will also include a midday candlelighting ceremony to honor the absent and a support group for affected family members from noon to 2:00 p.m. This gesture not only recognizes the loss felt by those left behind but also symbolizes solidarity in the face of enduring mystery. It is a poignant acknowledgement that even as time moves forward, the memory of those who are missing does not fade.
Those wishing to attend the support group portion of the day are required to make a reservation, a detail underscored by event organizer Suzi Dodt. Reservations can be made via the SignUpGenius platform. Dodt, who can be contacted for further information at [email protected] or 520-709-8559, said the event is designed to be free, family-friendly, and open to the public. It is a concerted effort to bring attention to cases that often silently endure, to quite visibly stand against the darkness of uncertainty.
For additional details about this poignant occasion, including reservations for the support group, visit the official Pinal County website.
