Engineer develops missing person tool after monthslong search for father
By DeAndria Turner
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LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (WLKY) — A Louisville software engineer, who spent months searching for his missing father, has created an artificial intelligence-powered platform to help other families organize searches and receive tips in real time.
Jyrone Parker built the platform after his father, Jyronna “JD” Parker of Lexington, went missing in October and was later found dead along the Ohio River in Clarksville, Indiana, in March.
Parker named the platform Project Aziz in honor of his father. The tool allows users to upload photos, videos and other information about a missing person, organize search parties, map search efforts, and send tips to both families and local law enforcement.
“The real-time communication is the biggest part,” Parker said.
Parker said he initially began building technology to help find his father, including AI cameras and microphones trained on his father’s image and voice.
“The first thing I did was I got these ESP 30 twos that came with these AI cameras and microphones, and I trained some models based on pictures and audio of my dad,” Parker said. “And so I was placing these around Lexington and, with the hopes of, you know, if it catches him, then it would send me notifications.”
The technology did not bring his father home, but Parker said it helped him channel his grief into something meaningful.
“It hurts like hell still,” Parker said. “But having something like this to work through with, through my grief, definitely makes it easier, to me, gives it a sense of purpose.”
He said one of the hardest parts of the search was the lack of communication.
“That was my biggest gripe with the lack of communication,” Parker said.
Now, Parker is making the platform available for free in hopes it can help others.
“If one of your loved ones, if you went, missing, they can go on, make an account, and put all the details. Last seen photos, videos, etc.,” Parker said. “You can also organize search parties. So anytime a tip comes in, it’s going to go to the family. And it’s also going to go to local law enforcement.”
Parker said he is now working with community members and law enforcement to expand the project, hoping no family has to search alone again.
“Even though that the software that, you know, didn’t work for in my case when we were trying to find my father, I wanted to give it out in case it can help anybody else,” Parker said.
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