this post was submitted on 06 Dec 2025
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[–] medicsofanarchy@lemmy.world 71 points 11 hours ago (7 children)

"She was advised that a missing-person report could not be taken until at least 24 hours had passed," the attorney's statement said.

I know everyone's delighted that this guy may have taken himself out, but he's still innocent until proven guilty. My issue is with the cop who answered the phone. Isn't the "gotta be gone 24 hours" thing BS from movies?

[–] pelespirit@sh.itjust.works 48 points 10 hours ago

You're right, it looks like they were lying to her:

The Myth of the Waiting Period

A persistent myth, reinforced by television and movies, is that you must wait 24 or 48 hours before law enforcement will accept a missing person report. This is false. No law or policy in the United States requires a waiting period. Federal laws like the National Child Search Assistance Act mandate that authorities must accept reports of missing individuals under 21 without delay.

This misconception is dangerous because the initial hours after a person disappears are the most important for an investigation. Law enforcement agencies are required to take these reports seriously from the moment they are received. Delaying a report wastes valuable time that could be used to locate the individual, so if you are worried for someone’s safety, you should report them missing immediately.

https://legalclarity.org/how-long-before-you-can-report-someone-missing/

[–] Archangel1313@lemmy.ca 26 points 9 hours ago

Isn't the "gotta be gone 24 hours" thing BS from movies?

Yes. It's not an official policy. And it's stupid, at face value. If someone is kidnapped, then waiting 24 hours before any official report can be filed, would guarantee the person is never found. If a child goes missing, waiting 24 hours to organize a search party, would mean they could be dead before anyone even starts looking for them.

Whoever told her that, needs to be fired. If you are reasonably certain someone's life is in danger, and they need to be found quickly...that cop just made sure they wouldn't be found in time.

[–] IphtashuFitz@lemmy.world 21 points 9 hours ago

I’ve gotten the runaround from cops who confidently say things that aren’t true. I had a neighbor who was a lieutenant at the time, and talked to him about the issue I was dealing with. He told me in no uncertain terms that the cop was wrong, and suggested I go back when my neighbor was on duty, and if I got the runaround again then to immediately call him.

[–] thejoker954@lemmy.world 14 points 10 hours ago

As far as I'm aware it is bullshit, but some places may have it as an actual rule.

[–] LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 11 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

To me it is a toss up, if it was a pistol, probably suicide, if it was a rifle, maybe dude was just heading into the woods to see if he can hide out in the Appalachians living off deer and what not until he gets far enough away from the area they knew he was at.

[–] vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works 5 points 7 hours ago

Yeah if he can substist in Appalachia and get far enough along he can either bunker down or bug out to a more obscure location.

[–] snausagesinablanket@lemmy.world 5 points 10 hours ago

He put himself on trial, not us.

[–] NotSteve_@piefed.ca 33 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Amid his disappearance, the football team advanced to the Virginia regional final, during a 12-0 season and remains undefeated.

lol this bit of info just thrown into the article is so out of place

[–] MountingSuspicion@reddthat.com 20 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

I think it's somewhat relevant because people often make excuses for people who are very good in their chosen field. This might add that context, as people might have been afraid to come forward because the team he's coaching is doing well and people don't want to derail that for the young boys. So it points out that 1) his success possibly shielded him 2) being successful doesn't make you a good person 3) it's possible the team would have been successful without him. I'm not sure if that's why it was included, but that's my take.

[–] Timecircleline@sh.itjust.works 9 points 8 hours ago

I appreciate the thoughtful context. Having experienced things that were later reported on in the news, though, sometimes it feels like the writers just latch on to odd details or have a word count to hit.

[–] ryathal@sh.itjust.works 23 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

Sounds like he saved everyone a lot of money and time.

[–] Ancalagon@lemmy.world 25 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

Not really, they are searching for him.

[–] gerowen@piefed.social 13 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

That'll still end up cheaper than room and board, clothing, medical care, food, lawyers, etc. for the next several decades.

[–] Blackfeathr@lemmy.world 14 points 11 hours ago

The trash took itself out.

[–] sylver_dragon@lemmy.world 13 points 11 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago)

Ya, he's not gonna be found "safe". The last few nights have been well below freezing in much of Virginia. With a gun and a lack of cold weather gear, there's not a lot of safe outcomes available. Though I'd guess he hasn't noticed the drop in temperature.

[–] Proprietary_Blend@lemmy.world 6 points 10 hours ago

If he wasn't completely naked they should slam the littering charges on him.

[–] snausagesinablanket@lemmy.world 5 points 11 hours ago

Acute lead poisoning.

[–] frustrated_phagocytosis@fedia.io 4 points 10 hours ago

Problem solved?

[–] abbadon420@sh.itjust.works 4 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

Hope he's made some forrest critters a happy thanksgiving meal.

[–] deadbeef79000@lemmy.nz 1 points 2 hours ago

Now I'm imagining a far side style cartoon with a bunch of critters surrounding one who's chomping down on the body...

"Christ Jeff, that fucker's a pedophile, we may be animals but we have fucking standards"

[–] kikutwo@lemmy.world 1 points 5 hours ago

Hopefully he used it.