TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- A special group traveling to Tallahassee needs your help. "The Community United Effort organization" is in the Capital City seeking help from the public to solve cold cases involving missing persons.
Imagine a loved one missing. The confusion, sadness, fear over what happened. Now, imagine how you'd feel if after awhile, it appears as if no one is searching anymore. Their case abandoned, gone cold. Enter "The Community United Effort," a group dedicated to helping draw attention to cases all over the country, in the hopes that someone will remember something.
Monica Caison, founder of the organization, notes "It makes you feel good because if you only solve one case, you've done something someone else has not done. And that's the whole purpose of this tour. We started this tour 13 years ago in honor of a college student who could not get any media attention."
Not only does the organization bring hope to families, but it raises awareness in the community about cases that have been in the dark for decades. Take the case of Erik Patchin who went missing here in Leon County 23 years ago. Paul Salvo, Leon County Detective, states, "Erik went missing back in 1994, so this event I think is a good opportunity to get exposed back out to the public. We're hoping that some people will come forward with some additional information that will help us find Eric and bring some closure to his family."
"The Community United Effort" has helped more than 9,000 families across the country desperately searching for answers, serving as an advocate for the missing and providing free services for search and recovery. Caison believes the media plays a large role in solving missing person cases and hopes today's event will inspire the community to speak up and say something.
