About Us
Mary, Doug, and Suzanne Lyall
Mary and Doug Lyall are the parents of Suzanne who vanished under suspicious circumstances on Monday, March 2, 1998 after exiting a CDTA bus at Collins Circle, at the State University of New York - Albany (Uptown Campus). Suzanne was a 19 year old sophomore at the University of Albany. Since that fateful day Mary and Doug do all they can to search for their daughter. As of this date, she is still a missing person with no end in sight.
In 2001 the Lyalls established the Center for Hope with the idea of providing assistance to others affected by a similar loss. The Center for Hope, Inc. is a not for profit 501(c)3 organization with the mission of providing resources to educate, assist and support families and friends coping with the pain and uncertainty surrounding the disappearance of a loved one.
Accomplishments:
Doug and Mary Lyall - Parents of Suzanne - missing since 1998
Co-Founders of the Center For HOPE
The Surviving Parents Coalition
Team HOPE
Mary and Doug Lyall are the parents of Suzanne who vanished under suspicious circumstances on Monday, March 2, 1998 after exiting a CDTA bus at Collins Circle, at the State University of New York - Albany (Uptown Campus). Suzanne was a 19 year old sophomore at the University of Albany. Since that fateful day Mary and Doug do all they can to search for their daughter. As of this date, she is still a missing person with no end in sight.
In 2001 the Lyalls established the Center for Hope with the idea of providing assistance to others affected by a similar loss. The Center for Hope, Inc. is a not for profit 501(c)3 organization with the mission of providing resources to educate, assist and support families and friends coping with the pain and uncertainty surrounding the disappearance of a loved one.
Accomplishments:
- Pursued creation of New York State Missing Persons Day (April 6, 2001) and facilitates the annual Missing Persons Day ceremony
- Consulted with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services to create "The Investigative Guide for Missing College Students" and "Just the Facts, Just in Case", a young adult ID Kit.
- Pursued passage of "Suzanne’s' Law", a federal law that provides increased protection for missing young adults (18 to 21) - signed by President George Bush on April 30, 2003.
- Pursued passage of "The New York State Campus Security Act", a state law requiring all colleges and universities to develop plans for prompt investigation of missing students and violent offenses committed on campus - signed into law by Governor George Pataki in January, 2000.
- Advocated for passage “The Suzanne Lyall Campus Security Act”, a federal law enacted in 2007 that requires colleges across the nation to develop written plans in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies.
- Pursued the concept and thereafter,consulted with the design of the “New York State Missing Persons Remembrance” monument in Albany, NY - Dedicated in 2006.
- Collaborated with law enforcement and service providers to produce "What to do If a Loved One Goes Missing", a guide for left behind family members ".
- Developed a cold case playing card program that was distributed to prisoners in 57 county jails located across New York State, with hope that inmates would provide information and tips leading to crimes being solved.
Doug and Mary Lyall - Parents of Suzanne - missing since 1998
Co-Founders of the Center For HOPE
The Surviving Parents Coalition
Team HOPE