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 on 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:

  • Proposed the creation of New York State Missing Persons Day (April 6, 2001) and facilitates the annual Missing Persons Day ceremony

  • Collaborated with law enforcement agencies to develop a young adult ID Kit, "Just the Facts, Just in Case".

  • Consulted with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice in creating "The Investigative Guide for Missing College Students" (currently being updated).

  • Assisted in passing "Susanne’s' Law", a federal law that provides increased protection for missing young adults (18 to 21) signed by President Bush on April 30, 2003.

  • Proposed "The New York State Campus Security Act" requiring New York State colleges to develop plans for prompt investigations of missing students and violent offences committed on campus, signed into law January, 2000.

  • Advocated for the passage of the federal law, “The Suzanne Lyall Campus Security Act” in 2007, requiring colleges across the US to develop written plans in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies.

  • Proposed and 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 a guide for families "What to do If a Loved One Goes Missing".

  • Developed a cold case playing card program that is being distributed to prisoners in the 57 New York county jails with hope that they will provide information and tips that will lead to crimes being solved.


Parents of Suzanne - missing since 1998
Co-Founders of the Center For HOPE
The Surviving Parents Coalition
Team HOPE