In the quiet community of Bristow, Oklahoma, 71-year-old Patricia 'Patty' Mathews, a woman living with dementia, was last seen on August 8, 2025. On that Friday, she departed in her silver and black 2018 Subaru Outback with the intention of looking at houses, a detail her son later found odd as she already owned her home. She was wearing a blue blouse and blue shorts.
Concern grew when she did not return, and the situation escalated when her vehicle was discovered abandoned, without its keys, in Okmulgee County, south of Beggs. The discovery of her car near Jones and Webster Roads prompted an immediate search and rescue response from the Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office.
The search for Patricia was extensive, involving multiple agencies, K9 units, drones, and boat operations, accumulating over 1,400 man-hours. Despite these exhaustive efforts, which included searching the area where her car was found, no signs of her were initially discovered. A Silver Alert was issued to broaden public awareness of her disappearance. As days turned into weeks with no new leads, the active search was officially suspended on August 16th, a difficult decision for the emergency management teams who had hoped to bring closure to her family. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation later joined the investigation to assist the Bristow Police Department.
Tragically, the search for Patricia Mathews came to a heartbreaking end. Her body was discovered in a rural part of Okmulgee County, approximately one mile from where her abandoned vehicle had been located. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation confirmed her passing, leaving her family and community to mourn their loss. The circumstances surrounding her death continue to be investigated by the OSBI. The case serves as a somber reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by individuals with dementia and the profound impact of their disappearance on loved ones and the wider community.Last Seen: Aug 8, 2025
