Paul Philip Batson, a 45-year-old U.S. Navy veteran and postal worker from Batavia, Illinois, was last seen on April 29, 2018, in Bozeman, Montana. He was on a multi-state trip that included visiting his sons in Colorado before he continued to Utah and Montana to explore job opportunities. The last confirmed sighting of Batson was on surveillance video at the Bozeman Public Library.
He had a meeting scheduled with the Bozeman Postal Service for the following day regarding a potential job transfer, but he never arrived. On the afternoon of April 29, he spoke with his girlfriend, telling her he was at the library. Later that day, his cell phone stopped pinging, indicating it was either turned off or the battery had died.
The day after he was last seen, April 30, 2018, Batson's 2016 Dodge Charger was found abandoned at a gas station in Reed Point, Montana, with his keys on the ground next to it. Inside the car, which was described as being "extremely clean," was his travel bag. However, his wallet and cell phone were missing. The discovery of his vehicle prompted an extensive search of the surrounding area.
Search and rescue crews from Stillwater County and other counties, utilizing boats and dogs, covered more than 500 acres in the Reed Point area, including parts of the nearby Yellowstone River. Despite these thorough efforts, no clues to Batson's whereabouts were found. Investigators from the Bozeman Police Department and the Stillwater County Sheriff's Office reviewed security footage, and examined his financial and phone records, but found no conclusive evidence.
Although his disappearance is considered suspicious, the Bozeman Police Department has stated that they do not believe any criminal activity was involved. With no new leads, the active search for Paul Batson was suspended in the months following his disappearance, and his case was eventually moved to the cold case department. His case remains unsolved, leaving his family without answers.Last Seen: Apr 29, 2018
