Photo shows missing couple Raymond Peterson and his wife, Sophie.
Stand up for the facts!
Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.
I would like to contribute
No, this isn’t a photo of a missing Texas couple
If Your Time is short
- This photo shows a couple whose remains were discovered in September in California. viral Facebook posts are misusing the image, claiming it shows another couple supposedly missing from states around the country.
Recent Facebook posts have urged social media users to "flood" their feeds with a photo of a supposed missing couple. One such post said the pair had been last seen in Wise County, Texas.
"FLOOD YOUR FEEDS ~ MISSING!" the Sept. 23 post said. "Our Dad, Raymond Peterson aged 80 drove out last night with our step mom Sophie and they still haven’t returned. They were last seen in #wisecounty He doesn’t know where he’s going, he has chronic memory loss. There is a silver alert activated on them. Please help bump this post so we can get them home safely"
This post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads.)
That’s because it’s not a real missing persons case.
Featured Fact-check
Other Facebook posts featuring the same photo and narrative say Raymond Peterson and his wife Sophie were last seen in other places around the United States, such as "Northeast Montana." The Wise County, Texas, post appeared on a "swap and shop" Facebook group page, and the Montana post on a "buy sell trade" group.
Sign up for PolitiFact texts
But the people in the photo aren’t the Petersons and they’re not missing.
The photo shows Daniel Menard, 79, and Stephanie Menard, 73, who disappeared in August from a nudist resort in Colton, California. Authorities found their remains under the home of a neighbor, who was charged with two counts of murder.
We rate claims this photo shows Raymond Peterson and his wife, Stephanie Menard, a couple missing from Texas, or any other state, False.
Our Sources
Facebook post, Sept. 23, 2024
Facebook post, Sept. 23, 2024
Daily Mail, New terrifying update in disappearance of couple who vanished from nudist ranch, Sept. 2, 2024
KABC, Redlands couple whose remains were found under neighbor's home died of blunt force head trauma, Sept. 16, 2024
Browse the Truth-O-Meter
More by Ciara O'Rourke
No, this isn’t a photo of a missing Texas couple
Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!
In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.