Community gathers to remember 183 missing people in Idaho

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI)– Members of the community gathered together at the Bonneville County Courthouse this afternoon for Missing Person's Day.

The day is to remember the over 180 current missing people across the state of Idaho as well as show support to the families of those who are missing.

The event featured singing from the Thunder Ridge Chamber Choir and Hayden Owens, multiple people gave speeches, from members of the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office to Amber Hoopes family, and even Megan Lentz, an abduction survivor.

Megan Lentz was the 14 year old girl who survived being abducted from her trampoline in 2002, nine months after Amber Hoopes had been abducted. Megan shared the story of her abduction, what awful things she went through at the hands of Keith "Mark" Glen Hescock, as well as her heroic escape.

This is the first time she has ever spoken publicly about what she's been through. The main reason she came out was to share her story as well as show support for the many who could not go home and have yet to be found.

"For a period of time, I was that missing person and I came home," Megan said. "That is why I believe so deeply that the names and the faces of those who are missing still matter. Race, background, income, or zip code should have no bearing on whose face gets shared and whose names get remembered. Their stories matter, their families matter, and missing person matters. And every person deserves someone looking for them."

The hope is for every missing person to be found and for their families to have the closure they deserve. The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office asks if you have any information about any missing persons in our area, to please contact the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office or your local Law Enforcement to report it.

For more information on these cases or if you notice any other criminal activity, anonymous tips and information can be shared online via East Idaho Crime Stoppers at www.IFcrime.org.