Thomas M. Freeman, a 26-year-old man from Ohio, was an experienced backpacker and hiker who embarked on a journey through South America. Known for his love of travel and the outdoors, he was fluent in Spanish and often traveled with his guitar. His last communication with his parents was on June 29, 2017, from Capurgana, Colombia. During their conversation, he shared his plans to cross into Panama and travel north through Mexico to return to the United States.
His family and friends held onto hope, knowing his extensive experience with backpacking and his adventurous spirit. He was known to wear his sandy blond, medium-length curly hair in a ball cap at times and often had a full beard and mustache.
The day after his last call home, border officials confirmed that Thomas entered Panama at Puerto Obaldia on June 30, 2017. He was reportedly traveling with three French nationals at the time. From this point, the trail of the young traveler from Ohio goes cold. His disappearance is particularly concerning as the area he was traversing, near the Dariï n Gap, is known for its treacherous terrain and the presence of criminal elements. Despite searches and efforts by his family and law enforcement to piece together his movements after entering Panama, no credible leads have surfaced. The Cuyahoga Falls Police Department in Ohio is the investigating agency for his case.
Thomas has several distinctive tattoos that his family hopes might help in identifying him. These include squiggly drawings on his back, a hibiscus flower on one forearm, and paw prints on the other. He also has a tattoo of a frog on a moon on his shoulder blade and Elvish script from 'The Lord of the Rings' on his ribcage. In the absence of any new information, his loved ones continue to wait for answers. A scholarship fund was established in his name at Kent State University to honor his passion for poetry and adventure. The case remains an active missing person investigation, a painful testament to a journey that has yet to find its end.Last Seen: Jun 29, 2017
