Raleigh mother advocates for stricter Silver Alert policies after her son's death
A Raleigh mother is trying to spark change and push for a stricter Silver Alert law after her son who had mental health issues was found dead in a pond.
Authorities found Madison Armstrong on Nov. 8, 2023, floating on a lake on Turf Grass Court, steps away from his home. He was 26 years old.
Armstrong’s mother, Tamika Armstrong, described her son as a joy to be around.
“Madison was beautiful, passionate and a kind spirit,” she said.
Late in 2023, Tamika Armstrong said she noticed her son no longer sparked joy and was more withdrawn.
“He become more aggressive and was diagnosed with biopolar and schizophrenia and [it] turned our whole life upside down,” she said.
On Nov. 1, 2023, Madison Armstrong disappeared from his apartment off Rocky Quarry Road.
“I called [the] Raleigh [Police Department],” Tamika Armstrong said. I told them I have a son with a mental health condition [who] hasn’t returned home.”
Raleigh police quickly issued a Silver Alert based on the criteria that Madison Armstrong had mental health issues and was endangered.
The Armstrong family decided to do searches too.
“He was mine,” Tamika Armstrong said of her late son. “I’m not as strong to not cry or mourn, but I’m strong enough to fight this battle for him and others.”
Tamika Armstrong is now turning her heartbreak into action. She wants to see Silver Alert criteria mirror an Amber Alert.
“When you compare them, they don’t get the same attention or urgency,” she said.
Tamika Armstrong has started a petition with about 500 signatures. She’s also called and emailed more than 170 local lawmakers in hopes to get the Silver Alert law enhanced. She believes there is a flaw in the system. Specifically, she wants text alerts for Silver Alerts and North Carolina Department of Transportation signage just like for Amber Alerts. She believes every minute counts.
Last year, there were 21 Amber Alerts activated and 21 people successfully located.
In 2023, there were 427 Silver Alerts activated: Only 81 were reported as located or recovered, 39 people were located out of state and 12 were found dead.
“Something is broken,” Tamika Armstrong said. “Let’s fix it.”
The Armstrongs are still waiting for a toxicology report to see if that might have contributed to Madison's death.
Mental health guide
In the wake of tragic and traumatic events, feelings like stress, anxiety, grief and depression are natural. Here is a list of crisis counseling and county-by-county resources in North Carolina, as well as nationally. These resources are available for you -- just call.
If you're having suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Veterans can press “1” after dialing 988 to connect directly to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.
