Who We Are
Ana Sexton
Founder | Licensed Private Investigator | Advocate for the Missing
Ana Sexton is the founder of Trace the Lost, a nonprofit born from personal tragedy and an unshakable conviction to help others. Raised between Washington, D.C., Guatemala City, and Rio de Janeiro, Ana grew up navigating diverse cultures and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Her path to investigative work began in childhood. While living in Guatemala, two of her young cousins were kidnapped and held for ransom. The ordeal lasted weeks, leaving her family traumatized and helpless — and leaving Ana with a lifelong question: What more could have been done?
Determined to be part of the solution, Ana earned a Master’s degree in Homeland Security and went on to serve with distinction in multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security. Her work has always centered on protecting the vulnerable and uncovering truth where others have stopped searching.
Today, Ana is a licensed private investigator in the state of Texas, trained by some of the nation’s leading professionals. She also serves on the Houston Police Board. Through Trace the Lost, she brings her expertise and lived experience to families seeking answers — because for Ana, closure is more than a goal. It’s a mission.
“Every family deserves to know. Every missing person deserves to be found.