Seems like a low risk strategy for you to start taking action on your dreams, which is the crucial ingredient towards reaching FI. 

(i.e. a college student with a huge passion for real estate and financial freedom)

Where comps come in to to compare "cap Rates"  (a measure of financial performance) of recent sales. 

If it were really for the motive of protecting the people, the people would still have there option and freedom to initiate the action themselves. 

These were financial mistakes we made when we were younger, and unfortunately, they snowballed over time.We currently rent but own a rental property out of state that cash flows $600/month and has about $190,000 in equity.

Through proactive maintenance, efficient tenant placement, and careful financial management, I optimized rental income and ensured a steady cash flow.

The victims are a family in Texas that loaned him their life savings.Any leads on his financial assets would be appreciated and greatly help this family. 

I am having troubling finding many through traditional methods of LinkedIn or Indeed.A little background on me - I am 24 years old; I reside in upstate New York, and I am looking to relocate somewhere along the east coast; I have a bachelor's degree in finance and about 1.5 years of experience as a financial analyst at a Manufacuring company.

If your goal is financial freedom, which is a long-term goal, not so much.Financial freedom is a long-term proposition, not a one-time event.

Simply put, many of these distressed properties were put under duress by the former owners financially, not necessarily the location.