Invisible: Black and missing in Houston

Anthony Collier has an impressive educational and professional resume for someone his age. 

A Houston-born political mover and shaker, the Texas Southern University (TSU) alum has served as the National Urban League’s director of criminal justice in New York and currently serves as the elections director for the Harris County Democratic Party.

But behind the degrees and professional accolades is a story that is silent, long-brewing, and eternally painful.

Collier is part of a family with a loved one who has simply vanished. His uncle, Michael Collier, has been missing since 2015.

Pivotal figure gone silent

To Anthony, the elder Michael Collier was more than just a name on a missing person’s flyer; he was a foundational pillar.

“He played a pivotal role in my life,” Anthony recalls. “I’m a first-generation college student. When I was a small child, he would take me to the library near Lakewood Park and encourage me to read. He would get comic books and also the tapes, so we can listen along and learn how to read.”

Even during periods of Michael’s incarceration, he remained a present figure, signing up for programs to send bikes and books to his family. He was a man who saw more for his nephew than he did for himself.

The disappearance happened during the summer after Anthony’s freshman year at TSU.

“From my understanding, it was a Sunday morning,” Anthony says. “He told his childhood friend, Big Mo, that he was going to the store. And then he just never came back, and nobody saw him again.”

The toll of the ‘Invisible’

The impact on the Collier family has been profound. Under Texas law, a person cannot be declared dead until they have been missing for seven consecutive years. However, when someone used Michael’s card in 2018, the legal clock reset, delaying any closure until 2025.

Beyond the legal hurdles, the family faced the crushing feeling that their loved one was invisible to the system.

“My family didn’t feel like they were being taken seriously,” Anthony explains. “They felt like no one really cared about my uncle because he didn’t have a college degree or a steady job. They felt like [the authorities] just saw him as just another unimportant Black man.”

This experience is backed by sobering data. While Black people make up approximately 14% of the U.S. population, they comprise nearly 38% of missing persons cases. Despite this overrepresentation, media coverage is disproportionately scarce.

Research shows that while white children make up 54% of missing cases, they receive 88% of media mentions. Conversely, Black children make up 35% of cases but receive only 7% of coverage.

“The implications of this are literally life and death,” said Kyle Pope, editor and publisher of the Columbia Journalism Review. 

This phenomenon, often called “Missing White Woman Syndrome,” results in cases involving people of color being handled with less urgency and lower-quality media focus.

A tale of two responses

In 2024, Anthony attempted to use his professional standing to revisit his uncle’s case, but the leads had grown cold. However, when his cousin Vicky’s son, Noah, went missing, Anthony utilized his connections to reach then-HPD Chief Troy Finner. The response was immediate, and Noah was reunited with his mother.

While grateful, the disparity haunts him.

“I just wish that at the time, there could have been more done to try to find my uncle back in 2015,” Anthony says. “I didn’t have the connections then… but it shouldn’t be like that. Everyone has value. Everyone’s life should matter, whether they have a PhD or if they’ve been in and out of the criminal justice system.”

Expert advice: Act fast and smart

For families facing a disappearance, local experts emphasize that speed is the most critical factor.

Sergeant Melissa Barajas of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Missing Persons Unit debunks a common myth: “I know there’s been a rumor that we need to wait 48 hours or 24 hours. No, do it as soon as possible.”

Ms. Mel Turnquist, CEO of the Texas Center for the Missing, agrees.

“There is no 24-hour waiting period in the state of Texas,” she says.

Turnquist notes that regarding missing persons cases, law enforcement is often overwhelmed.

“Our two largest agencies last year had over 11,000 missing persons cases with just 27 investigators. So, [share] anything to make your family member rise to a higher level of concern,” said Turnquist. “And I say that with great love and respect because everybody we care about, we believe is important, of course.

“But when law enforcement is in a triage mode, they need to know: Is your loved one battling dementia? Is your loved one diagnosed with autism? Is your loved one battling depression? Has your loved one started a new medication? Are there any developmental disabilities of that individual? Have they had a brain injury? Do they have a problem with drugs or alcohol?”

Turnquist says each of those data points, which many believe are unimportant, may actually escalate the case’s priority.

The ‘Don’ts’ of missing person cases:

• Don’t create personal flyers: Experts strongly advise against putting personal phone numbers on flyers. “Bad actors will lie within 30 seconds of seeing a flyer, saying, ‘Pay me a ransom,'” Turnquist warns.
• Don’t wait for “perfect” info: Provide whatever you have—current photos, medical diagnoses, or even social media handles—to help investigators build a profile.

Resources and hope

Though the subject of families dealing with a missing loved one is heavy, Anthony Collier relishes the opportunity.

“I want an opportunity to honor my Uncle Mike for the investment he put into me,” said Anthony. “And it’s important for us to get the word out that Black people are going missing, and not enough is being done.”

For those currently searching, the message is clear: do not give up. Reach out to city council members, state representatives, and local organizations.

“You are not in this alone,” Anthony added.

Missing Persons Reported in 2025-2026

(Sources: HPD, HCSO, and Click2Houston)

• Ma’Kenzi Reshae Knowles (17): Last seen April 26, 2026, in Houston.
• Hope [Last Name Unknown]: Last seen April 28, 2026, in Houston.
• Kaleb [Last Name Unknown]: Last seen March 19, 2026, in Houston.
• Danielle Jones (16): Last seen March 13, 2026, in Houston.
• Jahvarri [Last Name Unknown]: Last seen January 6, 2026, in Houston.
• Savontae Coleman (14): Last seen Jan 29, 2026, in Houston.
• Debra “Dawn” Moore (14): Last seen July 20, 2025, near Clear Lake Road in East Harris County.
• Dionne Williams (35): Reported missing from Fifth Ward in August 2024; found deceased in 2025.
• Malia Faye Ryan Clardy (17): Missing from Houston since February 23, 2026.
• Kymarie: Last seen on March 9, 2026, in Houston
• Jazyah (15) and Lar’ry Daniels (12): Reported missing in March 2026 from the Houston area. Jazyah was last seen on March 3 at Cypress Falls High School, and Lar’ry was last seen on March 19 on Copper Grove Boulevard.

Resources for families