About
Since 2020, there has been a dramatic increase in people being recovered with their vehicles- submerged underwater. Many of them had been missing for decades.
This is thanks to Sonar Technology, but also to an increased awareness of its ability to find missing people, as volunteer sonar search teams have become popular online.
When someone goes missing with a vehicle, there’s not many places that it can remain hidden for long. In the time that I’ve looked into these cases, I’ve found that after around 3 years the most common place for them to be found is in a body of water, unless foul play or extreme terrain is involved.
The main featured map started as a personal project in early 2021. In 2022, this website was created to hold the map and more information.
Charley Project and Namus have been helpful in finding these cases.
In 2023, a Facebook page was created which is updated daily with case updates, new cases, and search efforts.
Sonar Information
FAQ
What is the criteria for cases to be featured here?
Every case featured here involves a person missing with a vehicle, or suspected to be missing with a vehicle.
For various reasons, missing and resolved cases may not get added until they are 6 months old, unless requested by a family member.
How can I help?
Raising awareness is the best and easiest way to help!
A printable flyer is available on the home page that links to this site through a QR code so it can be posted for any case.
The idea for these is that they can be placed at boat ramps, marinas, bait shops and anywhere that people with the equipment to help search will see them.
Donations are accepted and appreciated but not expected, 100% of the funds will go towards this, most likely site expenses.
If you’d like to help with the site or have ideas on ways it can better serve these cases please reach out!
Who is behind this website?
My name is Brianna, I was 22 when I began this site and a college student working towards a degree in Biology. I started looking into these cases out of curiosity when sonar search teams began finding them and sharing their stories on Youtube, never expecting there to be so many and for there to be no end in sight. For many of these cases, there are loved ones still searching for answers, and that’s another thing I found out when I first shared the map that has kept me going.
Shelly McKinley (Sunshine State Sonar) has helped with casework since 2024, and Julia Meyer has helped extensively with European cases since 2025.
How can I contact you?
If you have feedback or information the best way to contact me is here through the form below, by emailing renaebris@gmail.com or through the Mapthemissing FB page.
