Thomas Novak, a 12-year-old boy, disappeared on July 25, 1958, from the Lawrence Carter Ranch in Park Valley, Utah. He was last seen preparing for bed around 10:00 p.m., unlacing his shoes. By the next morning, Thomas was missing, having left the ranch on foot without taking any extra clothing or food. His parents, familiar with his history of running away, did not report him missing until July 29.
There were several potential sightings of Thomas following his disappearance.
A boy matching his description was seen on August 4 at a stockyard in Ogden, Utah, dressed in a tan shirt, blue jeans, and a straw hat. He was reportedly carrying a rusted .22 rifle and a bundle of cattails. The boy mentioned he was headed to Wells, Nevada, and was later seen on a train heading in that direction. Witnesses claimed he jumped from the train just outside of Wells and began walking towards the highway, but no further sightings of him were reported.
Thomas had previously lived in Nevada and had a habit of stowing away on trucks or trains. Despite extensive searches of the rugged terrain around Park Valley, no trace of him was ever found, and his case remains unsolved. Authorities remain open to any information that could help bring closure to the case.Last Seen: Jul 25, 1958
