| Thomas Dean Gibson |
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| DOB : July 5th, 1988 Age :20 years Height : 2' 5" - 74 cm Weight : 35 lbs - 16 kg Eyes :Brown Hair : Brown Missing Since March 18th, 1991 from Azalea, OR Circumstances : Child's photo is shown age-progressed to 19 years. Thomas was last seen playing in the front yard of his family's residence in Azalea, Oregon at approximately 11:30 AM on March 18, 1991. He was wearing a purple sweatshirt, gray pants and black and white checkered sneakers. He has never been seen again. Thomas' father, former Douglas County Deputy Sheriff Larry Gibson, was convicted of second-degree manslaughter for Thomas' death in 1995. Larry was released from prison in 1996 and continues to maintain his innocence, stating he had nothing to do with his son's disappearance. Larry told authorities he took a jog around the family's property in Azalea during the late morning hours of his son's disappearance. Larry carried a handgun with him to shoot stray cats, many of which had been living on the property. Larry claimed he shot at a cat near the area where Thomas was playing, but missed the animal. He then continued on his jog and learned his son was missing after returning to the house approximately 45 minutes later. The family summoned law enforcement later in the day to search the property. Larry was told not to report to work at the sheriff's office, but apparently dressed in his uniform and left the property for approximately 25 minutes during the investigation. He stated that his older daughter witnessed an unidentified couple pull into their driveway and abduct Thomas. Larry said he was checking a local rest area for signs of Thomas and the couple. Authorities believed that Larry shot at a stray cat and killed the animal, as a deceased cat was located on the Gibsons' property near Thomas' last known location. Investigators believed that the bullet traveled through the cat and struck Thomas as he played, killing him. They theorized that Larry noticed Thomas' body after returning from his jog and buried the child in an effort to conceal the crime. Larry denied this scenario and maintained his innocence throughout the investigation. Larry's estranged wife and his daughter later changed their stories to authorities and said that his daughter witnessed her father "hitting Thomas until he fell." Larry was later convicted on the manslaughter charge, although he continues to deny any involvement. He has published a website that appeals for information on the whereabouts of his son. |
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