Bonneville County declares Sept. 12 as 2026 Missing Persons Day

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Bonneville County leaders are declaring September 12th as 2026's Missing Persons Day.

The Bonneville County Commissioners, along with the Idaho Falls Mayor Lisa Burtensaw, signed the proclamation at the Bonneville County Courthouse Thursday morning.

There are currently 183 open missing persons cases across the state of Idaho. That means there are currently 183 families without answers on their loved one's whereabouts. The National Crime Information Center found there are over 83,000 open missing persons cases across the country.

Bonneville County officials and law enforcement believe reminding the community about active missing persons cases. Such as Amber Hoopes, whose family has been waiting for answers for 25 years. Her disappearance is what inspired Missing Person's Day. They day brings awareness to the cases, and more importantly, lets families and victims know they are not forgotten.

"The jumping off point was when Amber was reported missing and I happened to be respond to when I was on patrol here in Bonneville County," Sergeant Bryan Lovell, the Bonneville County Sheriff's PIO, said. "And that's a case that still is open today. And the important thing is, you know, that case and several other missing person cases are still active. It's important to let everybody know that those are still active and they're still being worked. And even though law enforcement people retire, those cases still get passed on to detectives and people that are working those leads as they come in."

Hoopes disappeared during the middle of the night on September 14th, 2001.

"Oh, Amber was just a sweetheart. She was 20 when she was abducted. Very, very shy. Wouldn't even go to the store by herself," her aunt, Audra Burgener, reminisced. "Her best friend was her little sister. Very family oriented. She was a nanny for a couple here in town. She was just a wonderful person. Just so sweet and funny. She just had a great personality."

A ceremony is planned for Missing Persons Day on September 12th at the Bonneville County Courthouse.

"On September 12th here at the courthouse at noon on a Saturday we'll be here to talk about the missing person cases that we have in Idaho and Amber Hoopes and to remember those families that are still missing loved ones," Sergeant Lovell said.

If you have information about an unsolved missing person or cold case, please contact your local Law Enforcement or the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office. Tips and information can always be shared anonymously through East Idaho Crime Stoppers online at www.IFcrime.org.