In the autumn of 2015, a sense of unease settled over the family and friends of 56-year-old Thomas William Barkfelt. He was last seen on October 12, 2015, in Pineville, Missouri, though his residence was in Fairland, Oklahoma. Concerns for his well-being were heightened due to recent brain surgery he had undergone in February of that year. Following the operation, those close to him noticed a change in his behavior, and there was a growing belief that he might be in a confused or delusional
state of mind. This was compounded by the fact that he suffered from seizures and was in desperate need of his medication. Adding to the perplexing nature of his disappearance, Thomas had been telling people he had acquired a new home in McDonald County, Missouri, and was in the process of moving, a claim that was later found to be untrue.
The mystery deepened when, on October 24, 2015, a light blue Ford Ranger pickup truck belonging to Thomas was found abandoned and subsequently towed from the Spavinaw Hills State Game Refuge, located west and south of the Eucha Lake Dam in Delaware County, Oklahoma. According to Oklahoma State Game Wardens, the vehicle had been parked in that location since at least October 15. Inside the unlocked truck were some of Thomas's personal belongings, including his wallet, cellular phone, and car keys, but there was no sign of Thomas himself. His shoes were also found in Delaware County on the same day his vehicle was discovered. Thomas is described as a white male with graying brown hair and blue eyes, standing at 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing between 165 and 175 pounds. He has distinctive scars on his head and face from his surgery, as well as a scar on his left forearm where a tattoo was partially removed. He also has tattoos on both of his upper arms.
The discovery of his abandoned vehicle prompted searches in the area, but these efforts did not lead to his whereabouts. The investigation into his disappearance is being handled by law enforcement in both Missouri and Oklahoma, given the circumstances of him being last seen in one state and his truck being found in another. The details surrounding his last known movements and the subsequent discovery of his personal effects paint a concerning picture. The fact that he was in a vulnerable medical state and potentially experiencing delusions has been a central point of concern for his loved ones and investigators. The case of Thomas Barkfelt's disappearance remains an unsettling mystery, leaving his family and community without answers.Last Seen: Oct 12, 2015
