Why
My name is Deborah Clarke-Topper, and my work with Missing Persons began with a specific case of a missing sailor where I volunteered to help. Through that experience, and many others since, I have gained an understanding of the support families need during these difficult times. I am committed to ensuring no one has to go through this alone.
As a foreign national living in the Canary Islands, I also understand the unique challenges faced by families trying to handle a missing person case from another country. This perspective allows me to better assist families and act as a reliable contact on the ground.
Our Mission and What We Do
Our mission is to help find the missing. We provide on-the-ground, compassionate support for families, complementing the essential work of official authorities. This is entirely voluntary work, and no family is ever required to pay for our services.
We understand that people go missing for many reasons and that many lead unconventional lives. Every case is unique and requires a tailored approach. We are committed to adapting our support to every kind of situation while always respecting the individual’s privacy and focusing on the unique needs of each family.
- We Support Families: We assist families with making official reports and following up with authorities.
- We Raise Awareness: We publicise cases by reaching out to social media and the media, sharing critical information to keep the search visible.
- We Gather Information: We conduct in-depth research, manage publicity, and liaise with key contacts to uncover new information that can assist the investigation.
- We Coordinate Search Teams: We help organise volunteer search efforts in coordination with families, specialist search teams and authorities.
Our Journey So Far
Missing Persons Tenerife began its journey in 2019 as a public Facebook page. In May 2024, with just 300 members, I took over the role of administrator and watched as the group’s membership grew exponentially, driven by a high-profile case.
With this rapid increase in interest, it became clear there was a vital need for a central, accurate source of information and a dedicated place for families to find support. This need is what drives the work we do today. While we have been instrumental in a number of successful missing persons cases, we respect the privacy of all individuals and do not always publicly share details of these reunions.
Who We Are
This work is led by my personal commitment, using my strong investigative and analytical skills and extensive background in assisting with missing persons cases. I volunteer my time to provide impartial and effective coordination.
The work is supported by a small, discreet network of dedicated individuals who prefer to remain in the background. We are an independent, volunteer-led group and not a direct affiliate of any other organization. However, we believe in the power of collaboration and work closely with families, the police, and other volunteer groups to ensure our efforts are coordinated and effective.
How you can help
Your support and information can make all the difference. If you or someone you know has been affected by a missing person case, please get in touch. We are here to help.
We can be reached at enquiries@missingpersonstenerife.com, or by calling +34 822 130 739