Account
Oct 29, 2020
Nov 03, 2023
Woody
Thomas
10
3
36 inches
35 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
A day of family enjoyment at the Oregon coast on January 15, 2017, turned into a tragedy for the Thomas family. Three-year-old Woody Thomas was with his parents, Jayson Thomas and Charity Woodrum, at Boice-Cope State Beach near Port Orford when a sneaker wave suddenly surged ashore. The powerful wave swept both Woody and his father into the ocean. Woody's mother, who was just a short distance away, helplessly witnessed the event. Immediate and extensive search efforts were launched by the U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities. The search, which included helicopters and a motorized lifeboat, covered a wide area of the coastline. Despite their efforts, rescuers were only able to find Jayson's jacket and a child carrier he had been wearing. Tragically, Jayson's body was later located, but Woody was never found. After 22 hours, the active search for Woody was called off. He is presumed to have drowned. Woody Thomas was a young boy with brown hair and brown eyes. At the time of his disappearance, he was three feet tall and weighed 35 pounds. The devastating incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the ocean and the dangers of sneaker waves on the Oregon coast. In the wake of this unimaginable loss, the community offered support to the grieving mother. The Oregon State Police investigated the incident. The case is a heart-wrenching example of how a beautiful day can turn into a lifelong sorrow.
Jan 15, 2017
Port Orford
Oregon
Curry County
No
93931
Oregon State Police
Salem
Oregon
Marion County
97317
3565 Trelstad Avenue Southeast, Oregon
5033783720
State
Law Enforcement
17-017033
Oregon State Police
8329
Brown
Brown
Brown
05/20/2026
