PBPD continues to investigate trio of missing persons cases

Friday, June 23, 2023

By MIKE BUHLER, Staff Writer

As Missourians prepare Saturday to mark Missing and Unidentified Persons Awareness Day in the state, the Poplar Bluff Police Department continues to investigate three missing persons cases of its own.

The age of the three missing persons cases PBPD has open range from just a few weeks to almost 25 years. All three cases have been thoroughly investigated by the department, said PBPD Lt. Josh Stewart, but fresh information has been sparse in some instances.

Christina Pitts was last seen at her mother’s residence in December 1998 and was reported missing by her sister.

“Our department has done numerous searches and interviews and (also) obtained DNA to enter into the system … but to date, we have not had any new information on her whereabouts,” Stewart said.

Jim Culbertson has not been seen since April 2010. He was last seen at his residence on Poplar Street.

As with Pitts, Stewart said PBPD has done “several interviews and searches” and also entered DNA into the system, but there have been no new leads recently.

By contrast, Amiee Ross has been missing for just a few weeks, having last been seen on May 16 of this year.

Stewart said PBPD is “actively working on” Ross’s disappearance.

“(We have been) following up on interviews and a lot of information has been coming in (from) various sources … (but) none of it has been fruitful (so far),” Stewart said. “But we’re constantly and continuously investigating that.”

This year will mark the 15th year Missouri Missing has recognized Missing and Unidentified Persons Awareness Day, and the organization is holding a special event Saturday in Jefferson City to remember those who are missing and unidentified.

Missouri Missing provides families with resources and support through a multitude of ways. All who work with Missouri Missing are volunteers and all funds raised are used to continue the organization’s mission.

To report information on any missing persons in Poplar Bluff, call PBPD at 573-785-5776.