San Antonio nonprofit supports families of missing, murdered loved ones

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - FOX 7 Austin's Angela Shen has brought you many stories of families looking for answers or justice in the cases of their missing or murdered loved ones.

A nonprofit called Search & Support San Antonio helps them through the process. 

"The thing I love about our group is that we never give up. We are always there. We are always supporting the families. Even when the families are exhausted, and they feel like giving up, we are there to carry on for them on their behalf," case intake manager Lori Wittmeyer said.

They can take cases if a missing persons report has been filed.

"Sometimes stories are complicated. We might be on the phone for hours," Wittmeyer said. "With all that information, we start to piece together the puzzle. It generally tells us what direction we need to move in."

Nina Brooks started the organization in 2019 after she helped search for Andreen McDonald in Bexar County. McDonald's husband was later convicted for her death. 

Since then, Brooks has helped in some way in over 200 cases.

"We all put our own time and own money into this," Brooks said.

They have about 20 volunteers including ground searchers and age-progression image creators.

"We always need volunteers, or if you cannot volunteer, just share the missing person's flyer online," Brooks said.

The group sometimes works with law enforcement, or they fill in the gaps depending on the case.

They also support families who've had a loved one murdered, and the case is unsolved. Whether it's outreach events or billboards, they make sure the victims are not forgotten.

"It only takes one person, and there's somebody out there that knows something," Wittmeyer said. "There's no tip that's too small."

All the volunteers have one common goal.

"We're going to keep looking for these people and for those who have passed, we'll keep looking for justice for them," Wittmeyer said.

For more information about Search & Support San Antonio, click here.