The key points are temporarily unavailable. You can still read the full Story below.
Main Points
Twenty-four people, including three minors, remained unaccounted for in missing-person reports handled by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) between January and September 2026, according to figures presented by police. The figures, covering January 1 to September 30, showed that police recorded 307 missing-person reports during the first nine months of the year. Those reports involved 135 minors. Police said 283 people had been accounted for, including 20 who were found dead. Two of the deceased were minors. The information was presented by Sergeant Nevon Katerson during a news conference at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain. Superintendent Anderson Parryman also addressed the gathering, emphasising that members of the public do not have to wait 24 hours before reporting someone missing. Parryman described the supposed 24-hour waiting period as a longstanding rumour, explaining that reports can be made at any police station. The appropriate response depends on the circumstances of the disappearance, particularly when a child is involved or there are other reasons for concern. A missing person is defined by the police as someone who has not been seen or heard from for any period and whose absence has been reported by a person concerned for their welfare. Once information reaches the relevant unit, an investigative team is deployed to begin enquiries. Police figures for 2025 showed 341 missing-person reports, including 150 involving minors. Of those cases, 324 people were accounted for, including 23 who were found dead. Seventeen people remained unaccounted for, three of them minors. Investigators rely on detailed information from relatives and others who know the missing person. Details that can assist include the person's full name, age, date of birth, address, contact number and a recent photograph. Police also seek information about what the person was wearing and where and when they were last seen. Depending on the circumstances, enquiries may extend to hospitals, mortuaries, airports, ports and homes for the aged, as well as checks with relatives, friends, employers, schools and co-workers. Each report is assigned to an investigator, who may work with officers at the relevant police station and, when necessary, the Homicide Bureau. The Anti-Kidnapping Unit is also working to improve the handling of missing-person reports by sensitising divisional investigators to explore all possible avenues. Cases are assessed for signs of foul play and other warning indicators, with referrals to specialised units when necessary. The Children’s Authority, Child Protection Unit, Victim and Witness Support Unit or Counter Trafficking Unit may become involved, depending on the circumstances. Police encouraged parents and guardians to watch for signs that children may be experiencing difficulties and urged children who feel unsafe to speak with a trusted adult. They also stressed that photographs circulated to help find missing people should no longer be used once those individuals have been located, particularly when children are involved. The stated objective is to bring missing people home, not to shame them.
Twenty-four people, including three minors, remained unaccounted for in missing-person reports handled by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) between January and September 2026, according to figures presented by police.
The figures, covering January 1 to September 30, showed that police recorded 307 missing-person reports during the first nine months of the year. Those reports involved 135 minors. Police said 283 people had been accounted for, including 20 who were found dead. Two of the deceased were minors.
The information was presented by Sergeant Nevon Katerson during a news conference at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain. Superintendent Anderson Parryman also addressed the gathering, emphasising that members of the public do not have to wait 24 hours before reporting someone missing.
Parryman described the supposed 24-hour waiting period as a longstanding rumour, explaining that reports can be made at any police station. The appropriate response depends on the circumstances of the disappearance, particularly when a child is involved or there are other reasons for concern.
A missing person is defined by the police as someone who has not been seen or heard from for any period and whose absence has been reported by a person concerned for their welfare. Once information reaches the relevant unit, an investigative team is deployed to begin enquiries.
Police figures for 2025 showed 341 missing-person reports, including 150 involving minors. Of those cases, 324 people were accounted for, including 23 who were found dead. Seventeen people remained unaccounted for, three of them minors.
Investigators rely on detailed information from relatives and others who know the missing person. Details that can assist include the person’s full name, age, date of birth, address, contact number and a recent photograph. Police also seek information about what the person was wearing and where and when they were last seen.
Depending on the circumstances, enquiries may extend to hospitals, mortuaries, airports, ports and homes for the aged, as well as checks with relatives, friends, employers, schools and co-workers. Each report is assigned to an investigator, who may work with officers at the relevant police station and, when necessary, the Homicide Bureau.
The Anti-Kidnapping Unit is also working to improve the handling of missing-person reports by sensitising divisional investigators to explore all possible avenues. Cases are assessed for signs of foul play and other warning indicators, with referrals to specialised units when necessary. The Children’s Authority, Child Protection Unit, Victim and Witness Support Unit or Counter Trafficking Unit may become involved, depending on the circumstances.
Police encouraged parents and guardians to watch for signs that children may be experiencing difficulties and urged children who feel unsafe to speak with a trusted adult. They also stressed that photographs circulated to help find missing people should no longer be used once those individuals have been located, particularly when children are involved. The stated objective is to bring missing people home, not to shame them.
News Desk is the editorial publishing account for Tringlobe Media News, covering breaking news, public affairs, entertainment, community developments and regional stories across Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and internationally.
