Local Searches for Missing Special Agent Transition to Lead-Driven Searches

Investigators Seek Information from Public

Information is being sought regarding Stephen Ivens, a resident of Burbank, California, who was reported missing on Friday, May 11, 2012. Stephen Ivens has been a special agent (SA) with the Federal Bureau of Investigation since September 2008 and is assigned to the Los Angeles Field Office. On the morning of May 11, officers with the Burbank Police Department responded to the 1700 block of Scott Road, in Burbank, California, where Ivens resides with his family. SA Ivens’ family last saw him at the Scott Road residence the previous evening.

Initial investigation indicates that SA Ivens may have been distraught and possibly suicidal. SA Ivens’ FBI service weapon, a Glock handgun, was missing when police responded to the residence, and it is possible the handgun is in SA Ivens’ possession. Investigators have found no evidence of foul play, and there is no indication that SA Ivens intended to harm others. The FBI and the law enforcement community are concerned for SA Ivens’ well-being and have public safety concerns with regard to the missing weapon.

Comprehensive searches conducted during the past 12 days in the nearby Verdugo Mountains met with negative results. Investigators will continue to focus on lead-driven searches, as well as information provided by the public. More than 100 tips from residents, area-hikers, and others were received by the investigative team. Photos and a description of SA Ivens may be found at the following link: http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/stephen-ryan-ivens/view.

SA Ivens is a former police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. He is known to be an avid runner and is described as a white male, 35 years of age, 6’0” tall, 160 lbs., with brown eyes and receding brown hair. SA Ivens normally wears prescription glasses. SA Ivens is believed to have departed on foot and may have been wearing athletic or casual attire. The search for SA Ivens originally focused on the Verdugo Mountain range based on the proximity of the mountains to SA Ivens’ home, as well as an early scent detected by a canine unit. Investigators have not ruled out that the scent may have been based on an earlier visit to the Vergugo Mountains by SA Ivens. At no time was there conclusive evidence that SA Ivens went in the direction of the Verdugo Mountains, though this possibility has not been ruled out. Investigators believe it is also possible that SA Ivens may have gone in another direction and are, therefore, relying on anyone who might have seen SA Ivens, or does see him, to call the Burbank PD or the FBI with information.

Since May 11, several agencies have supported the search efforts. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s personnel from Altadena, Montrose, Santa Clarita, and Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Teams* assisted in Verdugo Mountain searches, including specially trained reserve sheriff’s deputies and civilian volunteer rescuers, as well as Special Enforcement Bureau-Emergency Services Detail deputy paramedics, bloodhounds, off-road motorcycles, and a helicopter crew. Law enforcement personnel, including air, ground, and canine units with the following law enforcement agencies provided considerable assistance during the search efforts: Burbank Police Department, the Glendale Police Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Long Beach Police Department, the Los Angeles City Fire Department, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, and the Burbank Airport Police Department. Teams made up of approximately 40 FBI agents at a time were paired up with the search and rescue teams during several days of searching.

The Burbank Police Department is leading the missing person investigation with the assistance of the FBI. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts or circumstances surrounding the disappearance of SA Ivens is urged to contact the Burbank Police Department at 818-238-3000 or the FBI in Los Angeles at 310 477-6565.

*FROM LACSD: Sheriff’s search and rescue team personnel are reserve sheriff’s deputies who volunteer their time to help others for $1 a year and who partner with sheriff’s civilian volunteers who volunteer for free. There are over 150 members of the eight search and rescue teams of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, who were activated for over 450 search and rescue missions last year, making it one of the most active counties for search and rescue missions in the nation. Reserve deputies and civilian volunteers are supervised by full-time sheriff’s deputies. http://lasdreserve.org/

Media Contact:

FBI Los Angeles Media Relations: 310 996-3343

Burbank Police Department: Sergeant Darin Ryburn: 818 238-3240

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department: Captain Michael Parker: 323 267-4800