At Cody L. Gear and Associates we are often faced with finding novel approaches to complex and complicated requests. Recently we had an investigation involving a missing person in Costa Rica. There has been a lot of publicity surrounding disappearances in the Orlando as well as Costa Rica. The news media is a great and invaluable resource for getting the information out to the public in Orlando. Many private investigators offer their services “pro bono” and assist with volunteers in the community to locate the missing person. Law enforcement coordinate the search efforts and often the combination of the media, volunteers and law enforcement find the person. Sometimes with tragedy other times with relief.
Outside the United States however it is a different story. First and foremost, most of the media in foreign countries such as Costa Rica, or for that much, all of Central and South America, are sensitive to what is perceived as negative publicity. Thus prior to publishing or broadcasting any information, they require a cadre of information and permissions. Most notably is the notarized authorization from the immediate family to do so. When the immediate family is not in Costa Rica this causes a unique problem. They also require written permission from the Costa Rican police to disburse the information. The time it takes to meet these requirements can take days if not weeks.
Another problem faced is the lack of community concern over a person that has been reported missing. Organizing and coordinating a search for the missing person is problematic. Unlike Orlando whose volunteer community is widespread and forthcoming, economics is the determining factor in Costa Rica. This is not to suggest that Costa Ricans are not sympathetic, but if you are working six days a week, ten hors a day and have to rely on public transportation to get to and return from work, to put food on the table, you don’t have much time to spare for volunteer activities.
The fact that most of the reported missing persons who have disappeared are located at the beach, presents another problem. The beaches in Costa Rica are beautiful and pristine. They are also remote. Unlike Orlando or the Central Florida area, the infrastructure in Costa Rica is all but non-existent. No four lane expressways, no emergency services that are readily accessible, limited law enforcement resources and difficulty with local governments. Our case was in Mail Pais, a remote beach for surfers. Although the investigating law enforcement office was only fifteen miles away it would take up to hour to get there due to the condition of the road. Traversing the local road in Mal Pais takes an inordinate amount of time to go as little as three miles. Take a moment to view this video clip, it will give you some idea of the challenges the terrain and roads in Costa Rica present.
Many of those reported as missing in Costa Rica have yet to be found. The immediate areas adjacent to the beach can be best described as jungle. Searching these areas takes a determined and dedicated effort by professionals with experience in such investigations. With the exception of our firm, there are no private investigators in Costa Rica that have this type of expertise.
If you find yourself in this situation and want to have a reasonable expectation of finding a lost loved one, your immediate actions will by in large will be the determining factor. The longer you wait the less likely the missing person will be found. If you have any comments or would like further information on this subject please contact me at codygear@privatedetectivecostarica.com
