TULSA, Okla. — In January 2013, two hikers discovered skeletal remains along the Arkansas River.
2 News spoke with Heather Green and Nelson Parrish about their unexpected discovery at the time.
“You see a lot of stuff out there, but you don’t expect to see human bones,” said Green
“When I noticed it was a human skull with a bullet hole in the side, we decided we better call 911,” said Parrish.
We also spoke with Malcolm McGivens, who owned the property where Martin’s remains were found.
“I’m just totally shocked. It’s amazing how it just makes your body feel nervous and your heart’s beating. You’re like, what the heck? Because you would never think of anything like that,” said McGivens.
Three years before that discovery, Martin’s son reported him missing. His family believes he disappeared between June 27th and June 28th 2010.
“The last time that he was heard from was when he spoke to his son on the 27th and the son tried to call him the next day and there was no answer at his home. His son went to Thomas’s house to check on his dad, and there was no sign of him,” said Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Casey Roebuck.
Deputies said his son also found blood inside his father’s car, which was still parked at the home.
Another concerning factor was that all of Martin’s daily medications were still at the house.
Through the investigation, deputies learned that Martin’s Pike Pass pinged at the Coweta exit on June 27th and then again on June 28th.
“Even though Thomas may have been missing, his vehicle was moving on the 27th and the 28th, and we know they did searches in the area where his car has used the pike pass, but there was no sign of Thomas,” said Roebuck.
Through an autopsy, the medical examiner determined Martin died from a gunshot wound. Deputies believe the gun used was a small caliber weapon.
For years, this case remained cold with no leads.
The sheriff’s office hopes someone will finally come forward and give the family the justice they deserve.
Anyone with information about the death of Thomas Martin can contact the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office at (918) 596-5690.
