In the late fall of 2019, Thomas Doolan was focused on his recovery journey. At 59 years old, he had been living in a sober living facility on Berkeley Avenue in New London, Connecticut, and had successfully maintained his sobriety for about a year and a half. Despite past struggles with addiction and mental health conditions, he was making significant positive strides.
Known to his loved ones as Tom, he was a father and grandfather who, despite any personal challenges, remained in close contact with his family. His daughter, Paige Knobel, described a consistent and communicative relationship, noting that he would never go more than a few days without getting in touch. Even when admitted to facilities in the past, he would ensure staff contacted his daughter to inform her of his whereabouts. This dedication to family connection was a defining part of his character.
The morning of December 6, 2019, marked the last time his family would ever hear from him. Doolan sent a text message to his family, a seemingly routine communication that now stands as a final, poignant farewell. At the sober living facility, he had been under the impression that he was about to be asked to leave. Sometime that day, he vanished, leaving behind most of his personal belongings, including his wallet and phone. His only possessions with him were thought to be a black backpack and the clothes he was wearing: a black winter coat, blue jeans, and black or tan work boots. His sole means of transportation was a distinctive black men's mountain bicycle, which had a flashlight held to the handlebars with green duct tape. In the days that followed, there was silence. His bank account and his EBT card, his only sources of income, were left untouched.
As days turned into weeks, his family's concern grew into a desperate search. It was profoundly out of character for him to disappear without a word. His daughter knew something was wrong when he missed his grandson's birthday and then Christmas, events he would never have voluntarily missed. The family launched their own investigation, contacting hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and jails across the state, hoping for any trace of him. After their pleas, the New London Police Department issued a Silver Alert. Thomas is described as a white male with brown hair and blue eyes, standing 5'10' and weighing between 190 and 200 pounds. He has several distinguishing tattoos, including tragedy/comedy masks on his shoulder and a heart with a crooked knife on his bicep, as well as scars on his abdomen and back. The case of Thomas Doolan's disappearance is a story of a man who was actively working toward a better future while battling personal demons. His sudden vanishing from a structured sober living environment, leaving behind all his possessions and cutting off all communication, was an alarming deviation from his established patterns of behavior. Despite his family's extensive efforts and the official police investigation, his whereabouts after December 6, 2019, remain a complete mystery, and his case is still unsolved.Last Seen: Dec 6, 2019
