Medical Examiner’s Office to Host 6th Missing Persons Day in Cook County on April 18

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office is hosting its sixth Cook County Missing Persons Day event to connect those who have long-term missing loved ones with resources and experts.

Those whose friends and family have been missing more than one month will be able to file a missing persons report, submit DNA samples, medical records, pictures and other files to aid in the search. Emotional support services will also be available to families.

Missing Persons Day will be held on Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, 2121 West Harrison St., Chicago.

In its first five years, the event attracted hundreds of family members and friends of missing persons. Three families received closure after the 2025 Missing Persons Day event. 

“Our goal is to assist families in locating their loved ones by being a centralized resource for those searching for missing relatives and friends,” said Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Ponni Arunkumar.

The Medical Examiner’s Office is hosting its Missing Persons Day event in partnership with National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Chicago Police Department and Illinois State Police as well as consulates and clergy.

For more information about the event, visit www.cookcountyil.gov/missingpersonsday.