In the quiet town of Bristow, Oklahoma, a community’s hope turned to sorrow as the search for 71-year-old Patretia Mathews came to a devastating close. What began as a desperate multi-day effort to find the beloved grandmother, last seen on Friday, August 8, 2025, ended in tragedy when authorities discovered her lifeless body in rural Okmulgee County. The discovery has left family, friends, and neighbors grappling with grief, as questions linger about the circumstances of her disappearance and death.
Patretia Mathews, a 71-year-old Bristow resident known for her warmth and resilience despite battling dementia, vanished after leaving her home, reportedly to look for houses—an action her family believes may have been influenced by her condition. Her silver 2018 Subaru Outback was found abandoned near Jones and Webster Roads on Sunday, August 10, out of gas and offering no immediate clues to her whereabouts. The discovery of her vehicle sparked an immediate and exhaustive search, with the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office leading a coalition of agencies, volunteers, and resources in a race against time.
The rugged terrain of rural Okmulgee County posed immense challenges. Thick vegetation, marshy areas, and scorching temperatures—reaching 95 degrees with a 98% heat index—tested the endurance of search teams. Okmulgee County Emergency Management Director Jeff Moore described the grueling conditions, noting that drones, thermal imaging, K-9 units, horseback teams, and even Mennonite Search and Rescue volunteers were deployed to cover over 700 square miles of unforgiving landscape. “We’re leaving no stone unturned,” Moore said, his voice carrying both determination and the weight of the task.
The community rallied around the effort, with family members like Mathews’ son, Tony Trout, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support. “Every boot on the ground is another eye that can bring Mom home,” Trout said, his words reflecting a fragile hope that sustained the searchers. Friends, strangers, and local officials joined forces, their resolve unshaken even as storms and extreme heat forced temporary halts. The Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office urged residents to check trail cameras and report any sightings, emphasizing that Mathews, last seen wearing a blue shirt and shorts, had left her cellphone behind, complicating efforts to track her.
As days passed without significant leads, the search grew increasingly urgent. A Silver Alert, issued on August 10, underscored the danger Mathews faced due to her dementia and the harsh environmental conditions. On Wednesday, August 13, teams focused on a marshy area after detecting a blue thermal image, but hope faded as the lead yielded nothing. By Saturday, August 16, a large-scale search involving Oklahoma Task Force 1, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Wagoner County Emergency Management, and Muscogee Nation Emergency Management scoured the area with renewed vigor, only to be halted at noon due to the oppressive heat.
The heartbreaking discovery came soon after. Authorities confirmed that Patretia Mathews was found deceased, though they have not yet disclosed the exact location or details surrounding her passing. The Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office has stated that the investigation remains active, with no indication of foul play at this time. However, the absence of her purse or keys in the vehicle and her dementia diagnosis raise questions about whether confusion led her to wander into the wilderness.
For those who knew Mathews, the loss is profound. “She has to be feeling so lost,” said Lori Jeffries, a close family friend, during the search, her words now echoing with a haunting finality. The Bristow community, tightly knit and resilient, has come together to mourn, offering support to Mathews’ family as they navigate this unimaginable loss. Tony Trout’s plea for closure—“I just need to get her home”—resonates as a reminder of the love that fueled the search.
Authorities continue to seek information from the public, urging anyone with details about Mathews’ movements or the events leading to her death to contact the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office at 918-759-2235. As the investigation unfolds, the community holds fast to memories of Patretia Mathews, a woman whose life touched many, and whose passing leaves an indelible void. Updates will be shared as new information emerges, but for now, Bristow grieves together, honoring a life lost too soon.