Thomas 'Tom' Branch McAdams, a 67-year-old male from Portland, Oregon, was last seen on Saturday, September 24, 2016. An avid and experienced hiker, he was believed to be heading out for a day hike in the Columbia River Gorge, a place with trails he had traversed innumerable times. McAdams was a retired burn nurse, having worked for 38 years at the Oregon Burn Center at Legacy Emanuel Hospital before retiring in January 2016.
Despite being in his late 60s, he was described as an active and healthy individual who loved the outdoors, enjoying activities like skiing, canoeing, and sailing, with a particular passion for hiking. He was a family man, happily married with two daughters.
Concerns arose when McAdams did not return home as expected. It was uncharacteristic for him to be gone overnight, and he had left his usual hiking gear at home. He was officially reported missing on Monday, September 26, and his vehicle was discovered in the parking lot at the trailhead to Horsetail Falls. Authorities noted that McAdams may have been experiencing some personal issues and recent signs of memory loss. An extensive search and rescue operation was launched, involving up to 150 people who scoured more than 200 miles of trails in the Columbia River Gorge. Canine teams and an aircraft were deployed in the effort to find him. During the initial search, a plane detected a 'credible' hit in the Nesmith Trail area, but a thorough ground search of that location yielded no signs of McAdams.
Despite the comprehensive search efforts, no trace of Thomas McAdams or his belongings has ever been found. The official search was suspended a few days after it began, pending any new leads or information. The Multnomah County search and rescue coordinators stated they would recommence the search if credible new leads emerged, but none have materialized in the years since his disappearance. The case remains an unsolved mystery, leaving his family and the community without answers. The disappearance of an experienced hiker in a familiar area, without any subsequent clues, continues to be a perplexing and sorrowful event.Last Seen: Sep 24, 2016
