How long before police are obligated to update the public on missing persons investigations?

Question

A Filipina girl named Jepsy Amaga Kallungi, went missing 2 months ago in Colorado Springs. She came to the US from Philippines as a Fiance of an American named Dane Kallungi. Dane was the last person to see her. He made a Facebook post saying she was drinking and they were arguing about past issues, which caused Jepsy to leave the apartment around 12am. The whole post looked a little suspicious. Then other screenshots of text messages and emails surfaced between Dane Kallungi and his Ex wife, that showed Dane and the Ex wife were having relations behind Jepsy's back.

So far Friends and Family on Facebook have been contacting the Police department. The only response has been that the case is being investigated as a homicide. That was a month ago. Since then there's been no press conferences, no updates, not even explaining if the husband has been ruled out as a suspect or not.

Are they obligated to update the public? It seems that nothing is being done for this missing person, and it feels like its because she's not American and her family is not here

Answer 1

"Dane was the last person to see her. He made a Facebook post saying she was drinking and they were arguing about past issues, which caused Jepsy to leave the apartment around 12am. "



Sounds like she's acting like my filipina wife, or soon to be EX wife.



"The whole post looked a little suspicious."



What looked suspicious about it? Filipina girls get drunk, drag up issues from the past to deliberately start arguments. And then when they feel like they are losing the argument, they up and disappear. Like that will make it all better, somehow. Nothing suspicious about posting normal filipina girl behavior on facebook. If you must post anything on facebook, that is.



"Then other screenshots of text messages and emails surfaced between Dane Kallungi and his Ex wife, that showed Dane and the Ex wife were having relations behind Jepsy's back. "



What a lovely couple Dane and Jepsy are. Most likely cheating on each other.



The case will be investigated like any other case. The fact that she's filipina means absolutely nothing at all, one way or the other. There was SOMETHING that happened on United States soil, and the police will keep investigating until they figure out what. In most cases, it is wise for the police to say NOTHING until after a case has gone to trial. Even then, they choose to speak mostly under oath.



My best guess? This case will be resolved years from now. 1 year? 2 years? 20 years? Who knows? But in the meantime, the best bet Jepsy has for finding justice is for the police to keep their mouths shut TIGHT. Anything the police say right now could compromise the investigation. ANYTHING.



You care about Jepsy? It's OK to contact the police to ask about the case. It's not OK to expect a helpful answer anytime soon though. If they had any real information that they felt like sharing with YOU, then it would likely be plastered all over the evening news, available to everybody....

Answer 2

The police aren’t obligated to ever update the public. But if you’re concerned they’re not pursuing the case you might contact some local politicians to try to put some pressure on the police to do more.

Answer 3

There is no such obligation to ever release any info. Perhaps there's a bigger lesson here. Maybe it's not such a good idea for Filipina women to post profiles on dating sites, correspond with US citizens, come to the US to marry their "internet friend," a person they barely know.



As interesting as YOUR synopsis of the case is, you are leaving out some very material facts.



I hope they find her. I truly do. I hope she's alive. I would just be VERY careful about any allegations you make.

Answer 4

There is no obligation whatsoever to "keep the public informed." It's just that simple.



You can always file a request for info under the Freedom of Information Act. That will stay on file until the information is ready to be released.

Answer 5

Colorado Springs is traditionally a rich, conservative, white community. Jepsy is probably thought to be a minority. The police are doing NOTHING.

Answer 6

"Are they obligated to update the public?" About an ongoing investigation? No.



Once the investigation is concluded, you can file a Freedom of Information request.