November 15, 2007

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) detectives are continuing to follow up on leads in the disappearance of Kyle Fleischmann, the 24-year-old man who was reported missing Friday, November 9, 2007, after leaving a center city bar. Detectives are coordinating efforts and information with the family who, along with Mr. Fleischmann's friends, are seeking any information that would lead to his whereabouts.

"We have reviewed camera tape and interviewed a number of people to gather information about what might have happened," says CMPD Missing Persons Detective J.L. Tuttle. "While adult missing person cases are a bit different than those involving young adults or children, the investigative process and goals are the same: to determine the circumstances of the disappearance, locate the person and bring them home."

The Fleischmann family and Mr. Fleischmann's friends have been actively involved in the search and have established a private reward through the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers Program at (704) 334-1600.  Individuals providing information leading to the whereabouts of Kyle Fleischmann are eligible for a reward of up to $10,000.00. 

The attention this case has received has cast the spotlight on other missing person cases.  On its website (www.cmpd.org), the CMPD highlights cases for which they are seeking additional information.  Anyone with information about any of the cases featured there is urged to call Crime Stoppers.

The CMPD receives more than 3,500 missing person reports annually

• Approximately 70% of those reports involve juveniles between the age of 13 and 17 and adults account for the other 30%
• On the average in any given year less than 10 reports truly involve foul play
• CMPD's Missing Persons Unit is currently staffed by five detectives, one investigative technician and one supervisor

Contrary to popular belief, there is no required waiting period (24 or 72 hours) before one can file a report. In fact, the sooner the report is filed, the sooner the investigation can begin to locate the missing person. While most missing persons are found or return home within just a few days, if any foul play is suspected, the investigation escalates accordingly. Detectives have not ruled out any possibilities in this case and ask anyone with information about this, or any other missing person case, to call Crime Stoppers or 911.