Identifying the owner - need advice

[Terrance Yee]

Hello Bigger Pockets!

I know of a property that has been vacant for at least 4 years.  It is the house adjacent to my in-laws, who do not know them.  There is a sign on the door from Mortgage Contracting Services (MCS) that says it has been winterized.  I assume MCS is also keeping up with the outdoor lawn maintenance. 

The county recorder still shows the property as owned by an individual.  The county tax assessor website says the taxes are up to date and does not flag the property as being in foreclosure.  It still shows the property as being owned by an individual.  Peaking in the windows, the home looks like it hasn't been visited in a very long time, with trash strewn about the floors. 

Do you find you trust county websites? How would you go about identifying the owner? The county websites list the owners addresses as the property address. I assume mail could be forwarded, if I were to write them a letter. (I doubt they are visiting the mailbox.) Other than a letter, I am not sure how to identify the owners to contact them. I am also unsure if it is really an REO and the county websites are incorrect?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

-Terry Yee