AZ AZ - Paul Tomasso, 56, Tonto National Forest, 13 Feb 2014

Man Missing South Of Young -

Paul Tomasso, 56, left a note in his vehicle saying he would be hiking for four to five days beginning Feb. 13 in the area near Board Tree Saddle. Tomasso, an experienced hiker, was known by his family to hike 10 miles a day. On Feb. 25, Tomasso’s brother called the Gila County Sheriff’s Office after his brother hadn’t turned up for some time. Tomasso’s cell phone was found in his vehicle along with the note.

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http://www.paysonroundup.com/news/2014/feb/26/man-missing-south-young/

Still missing, searches suspended.
http://www.newbritainherald.com/articles/2014/03/12/news/doc531fcf05b652b859604549.txt

There is a summary of the search written by the Tonto Rim S&R team who search the area looking for Paul Tomasso.


Commander's Corner
Board Tree Saddle Mission Feb-Mar 2014
http://www.trsar.org/sar_newsletter/2014/march-2014.htm

Some extracts from the Newsletter:

Sgt. Rodney Cronk and Sgt. Dennis Newman of Gila County Sheriffs Office, along with Dave Pirtle of Tonto Rim Search and Rescue (one of our best trackers) went out on February 25th to search around the vehicle and gather whatever information they could, and establish a direction of travel if possible.
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It was noted by the family that the subject liked to investigate Indian ruins, so some focus was placed on these and there are numerous of these in this area. Family also noted that he was in good health, was experienced at backpacking, and would travel as much as 10 miles in a day.
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21 searchers responded on the first day from Gila County Sheriffs Mounted Posse and Tonto Rim Search and Rescue. They covered dozens of miles by quad, jeep, and horseback, and found no clues. DPS Ranger helicopter was also on scene during the day, and also in the evening after dark to look for fires or lights – with no success.
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Over the course of the 11 days of active searching, volunteers provided the bulk of the manpower in the field. By my count 185 man days were spent by volunteers covering the various search assignments. K-9’s were used on several of these days. DPS Ranger helicopter was used on several of these days. In addition, food, water, and other supplies were delivered to the command center by various volunteers and other state resources to support the search efforts.



From the newsletter:
This topographic map shows the terrain layout in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle.

There are some very good photos (at the link) of the area and terrain which the S&R team were tracking in - this is one below...

Just gathering some further links and articles...

Tomasso Family Member Missing On Arizona Hike
http://articles.courant.com/2014-03...issing-0312-20140311_1_hiking-heber-two-weeks

March 12 2014
Tomasso is the grandson of the late Angelo Tomasso Sr., who founded a small construction company in New Britain that grew into network of highly profitable construction-related businesses. The companies built the parking garage at Bradley International Airport and have built or overseen construction of schools, highways and numerous major projects in Connecticut.

Paul Tomasso moved to Heber, Ariz.,15 years ago, but was still a board member of The Tomasso Companies, according to relatives.

"Paul was apparently experienced at hiking and had hiked in the area before. Apparently he bought his home to be in proximity to this area," Shepherd said.

"He has been an avid and skilled outdoorsman all of his adult life. He frequently spends extended periods of time hiking and exploring the wilderness areas of Arizona and other western states," Michael Tomasso said in a statement issued through a family spokesman.

March 19 2014

Dangerous Search Yields Only Mystery, Frustration
He had an emergency locator and a satellite phone, but the search from the air, on the ground on horseback and with dogs found not a single trace of the missing man.

Tomasso had set off an electronic notice when he sent out through his satellite-based gear and left a note on the seat of his vehicle saying he would be gone for three or four days. But no one ever heard another word from him.

I am having trouble finding a photo of Paul Tomasso.
Has anyone seen a poster for him?

Paul is not listed in NAMUS (so far, my searches have yielded nothing)

Thanks in Advance.

Board Tree Saddle, Tonto National Park, Gila County AZ



.

While searching for photo's of Paul Tomasso I came across a Public Services announcement made by searchers - on the video it had a picture of Paul's Missing Persons poster and some footage of the area where Paul's car was found. The road had been graded to help with access.

I have taken some screencaptures from the video.
The pictures are as they were posted - it gives some idea of what Paul looked like.
I am still searcng for futher photos.

The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/K640ZIYHcao

Pics below:


Paul Tomasso Missing Persons Poster



Paul Tomasso



Road into Area where Pauls car was found.

"Tomasso had set off an electronic notice when he sent out through his satellite-based gear..."
Does this mean he send the electronic notice intentionally, as a signal for help?
Have there been any updates to this story?

hudson23 said:

"Tomasso had set off an electronic notice when he sent out through his satellite-based gear..."
Does this mean he send the electronic notice intentionally, as a signal for help?
Have there been any updates to this story?

Click to expand...

Paul is now listed in NAMUS..
https://www.findthemissing.org/en/cases/27573/0/


LARGE CLEAR PICTURES AT NAMUS:
https://www.findthemissing.org/en/photos/full/50443
https://www.findthemissing.org/en/photos/full/50442





First name: Paul
Middle name: Victor
Last name: Tomasso
Date last seen: February 13, 2014 00:00
Missing from: Heber, Gila County, AZ

Age last seen: 56 to years old
Age now: 58 years old (as of May 2015)
Race: White
Sex: Male
Height (inches): 70.0
Weight (pounds): 165.0


Circumstances:
Paul was last seen on February 13, 2014 at the Circle K Store, 1953 Hwy. 260, in Heber, Arizona (Gila County).
He was wearing beige cargo pants, a dark long-sleeve shirt and a dark vest.
Cell phone/ GPS records indicate he drove to Young, Arizona the same day and parked his vehicle off Hwy. 288 in Young.
He had plans to hike the Tonto Forest beginning that day.


Physical Description
Hair color: Brown
Hair Style: Longer- slicked back - uses gel.
Body hair: Yes
Facial hair: None at time of disappearance
Left eye color: Green
Right eye color: Green


Clothing
Beige cargo pants
Dark long sleeve t-shirt
Dark vest
Footwear: not known
Jewelry: not known
Eyewear: Contacts/ reading glasses.
Accessories: Always had sunglasses on him. Had a custom necklace to hold his glasses.


Pauls Vehicle was found parked where he left it before going hiking
Details of car: Vehicle was returned to family member.Vehicle make: Toyota
Vehicle model: FJ Cruiser
Year: 2011
Style: SUV
Vehicle color: White
Tag type: Passenger automobile (regular plates)
Tag number: 537WYM
Tag state: Colorado
Expiration year: 2014


As of May 2015:
Dental information / charting is currently not available
DNA: Sample available - Not yet submitted
Fingerprint information is currently not available

Investigating Agency
Detective Jamie Garrett
Phone: 928-474-2208
Case number: 140200249

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
An unidentified person was found in the Tonto National Forest. I wonder if it's him.