This chapter examines the diverse realities of missing persons cases, ranging from voluntary disappearances and miscommunications to accidents and abductions, underscoring that anyone, at any time, can become a missing person. It explores the precipitating and contributing mechanisms that lead to disappearances and provides a comprehensive review of risk factors such as age, gender, mental health, socioeconomic status, and environmental context. By identifying and analysing these factors, the chapter offers critical insight into the complexities of missing persons cases and sheds light on the dynamics of these often misunderstood events. The discussion broadens the scope of missing persons to present a more nuanced understanding of the everyday reasons people go missing and their typical experiences while missing. Ultimately, the chapter emphasizes that missing persons cases are not defined only by rare and extreme circumstances, but are shaped by a wide range of social, psychological, and situational factors that demand deeper exploration and understanding.