In 1981, Adam Walsh was abducted from a Hollywood, Fla. shopping mall. The 6-year-old’s head was discovered two weeks later. His other remains were never found.

Most Americans know that the brutal murder compelled Adam’s father, John Walsh, to become a victim’s rights advocate and a passionate crime-fighter. The elder Walsh instituted the Adam Walsh Child Resource Center. He also co-founded the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

But, John Walsh is perhaps best known for launching the hugely popular and successful TV show, “America’s Most Wanted.” The series ran on Fox aired for 25 seasons before its cancellation in 2011, helped to capture more than 1,100 criminals – including 17 on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List. It also aided in reuniting 43 missing children with their families. At the time of its cancellation, it had been the longest-running show on Fox to that point for 25 seasons. It has since been surpassed by The Simpsons.

Now, Walsh’s other son, Adam’s brother Callahan Walsh is determined to carry on his father’s legacy. 

Callahan is the producer of a special program currently streaming on Discovery + called “In Pursuit: The Missing.”

Speaking about his family, Adam’s legacy, and why the new show, Callahan said, “I grew up in a family that celebrated Adam’s life. I knew his favorite sports and movies. We celebrated his birthday. But at the same time, I watched my parents channel their anger over what happened to Adam to make sure that Adam didn’t die in vain. They co-founded the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a place where I work today. It’s sort of my day job. It’s an organization that’s helped recover over 350,000 missing children.”

He continued, “I grew up with my parents saying that if Adam’s song is to continue, then we must do the singing. And I’m trying to do that every day as a child advocate. I want to help get families the justice they deserve.”

In the new series, he actively investigates two mysterious disappearances while showcasing additional unsolved missing person cases from across the country. In the premier offering, Walsh traveled to Cape Coral, Fla., to learn about Lauren Dumolo, a 29-year-old single mother who was last seen at her apartment on June 20, 2020.

He also traveled to Fort Lauderdale to further investigate the 2017 missing person case of Sophie Reeder, a 15-year-old who snuck out from her father’s home. During his exploration, Walsh focused on the dark web and the ongoing epidemic of human trafficking.

“These two cases have a lot of mystery surrounding them,” Walsh explained. “Their families are desperate for answers, desperate to see their loved ones again. And we’re hoping that by providing the information to the public, harnessing the power of the public, we can provide answers to these families. Somebody out there holds the key that can unlock the door to justice in these cases. And we’re looking for those keys.”

Walsh is aware that when it comes to missing cases, families can lose hope with the passing of time. But speaking from personal experience – despite the tragic ending to his brother’s own disappearance – he has a message for them. “We say to families, never give up hope,” he said. “Keep beating that drum. Law enforcement has other cases that start mounting up. Other crimes occur. The media has other stories that they need to tell as well. But be the advocate. Be the voice for that missing loved one because they no longer have a voice