Families of missing people to raise awareness for unsolved cases during annual march
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – While Andrew Chapman has been missing for over 18 years, many central Ohio residents have seen his face on the news, social media or a billboard on West Broad Street.
The missing man, who went by the nickname Andy, vanished from his home in the Hilltop area in December 2006. Over the nearly two decades he has been missing, his family has kept his story alive, hoping someone will come forward with information that will help solve the case.
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That effort will continue on Saturday, when Andy Chapman's family will march the streets of west Columbus alongside other residents with missing loved ones. The demonstration will mark the second annual 'Andy Chapman March for the Missing,' an event created by his family to raise awareness for unsolved cases in the state.
'Unfortunately, when it comes to missing persons cases, a lot of the legwork is on the families, so I believe that's why this is important to raise awareness for my brother's case,' said Andy Chapman's sister, Aimee Chapman. 'We're going on 19 years of searching for him. If you've had a loved one that's been missing for two weeks, six months, 10 years, 20 years, this event is for you.'
The event will kick off on Saturday at noon at Hillcrest Baptist Church, located at 2480 W. Broad St. A prayer service will be held before attendees walk westbound on Broad Street, with posters of their missing loved one in hand.
After an approximately 15-minute walk, the group will head back to the church, where there will be pizza, snacks and resources available for the families of missing people. A victim's advocate and a representative with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation will be in attendance, according to Aimee Chapman.
Tables will also be set up featuring flyers and posters of missing people. Aimee Chapman said attendees may bring their own handouts to spread awareness about a missing person's case.
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Anyone is welcome to come to the event; attendees do not have to have a relation to a missing person or live in the Columbus area, according to Aimee Chapman. She said last year's march saw a 'great' turnout, including attendance from the family members of missing people Danny Fout and Tyler Davis.
'Getting to know a lot of different family members of missing [people], we've developed this group of family and friends that work together, that we can talk to and rely on each other,' Aimee Chapman said.
The March for the Missing will be held rain or shine, Aimee Chapman said. If the walk portion of the event is cancelled due to the weather, other planned activities will still take place in the church.
Anyone with information on Andy Chapman's disappearance may contact Columbus police at 614-645-4545 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers' anonymous tip line at 614-461-8477.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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