CA CA - Barbara Thomas, 69, from Bullhead City AZ, disappeared in Mojave desert, 12 July 2019 #4

[chihuahua]

I find the photo in hat and bikini top blurry also. And I will defer to our VI as he seems not to believe that photo was taken that day.
And as always, I too want to thank @PommyMommy for all of the links.
Hoping for official word soon.
Chi

 

[Kapua]

Yes, and it's also typical to suspect the husband and family members first, or whoever last saw the victim.
I believe this is why Robert thought he was the main suspect. Hard to say whether or not he still thinks that since we have no idea how the investigation is going. Imo

The phrase "prime suspect" bothers me, particularly when used during a missing person investigation when there's nothing to suggest that a crime has been committed. MOO ETA, I believe his exact words were "prime suspect".

 

[chihuahua]

I don't know why, but here is RT's take on how he thinks LE sees him.
Husband of missing bikini-clad hiker says cops view him as prime suspect
Of course that was on 7-19.

"A search helicopter hovers overhead in the Mojave Desert near Needles, Calif., Saturday, July 13, 2019. Authorities in California say they are searching for a bikini-clad Arizona woman who went missing while hiking in the Mojave Desert."
[from link]
Chi

 

[kay74]

This may be nothing - but it's something that's been niggling with me - it's the picture of BT in a red cap & a black bikini top. It's established this was NOT from the day she went missing

How convenient - seems too much so, perhaps?

Is it possible RT was inspired, got his narrative of events (since it seems he thinks her mode of dress contributed to her disappearance) & what she was wearing by this picture - ?

Maybe she regularly wore the black bikini & red cap on jaunts, & camping. Possible

It's just there in the back of my mind that seems a little too pat to have that picture perfectly describing what she was wearing even though it wasn't taken that day...

Eh. Maybe it's nothing....(& maybe it is!)

JMO

Maybe search their house and see if these items are there?

 

[happyday]

I'm 38 years old and don't carry one on a daily basis. The one I do have is over fifteen years old and is obsolete. Not everyone cares about being connected 24/7/365.

Yes there has been much speculation about her not having a phone, and posters have pointed out they don’t have one or know people who don’t. Every person is different, but in my experience I feel that is the exception these days. Most people have one. MOO!
I think the WHY she did not have a phone is what is important here. And IMO that is SUPER important to me.

 

[PommyMommy]

I find the photo in hat and bikini top blurry also. And I will defer to our VI as he seems not to believe that photo was taken that day.
And as always, I too want to thank @PommyMommy for all of the links.
Hoping for official word soon.
Chi

Good morning, my friend. You're very welcome. MOO

 

[chihuahua]

As far as this photo, I would think LE have the data to know when/where it was taken by now.
Chi

 

[AnnesCuthberts]

OK I got beat up asking about the cell phone. Sure would have helped BT in this case. Eh?

Sorry! Didn’t mean to make it seem like I was piling on. If it’s any consolation, I frequently nag my dad about not having a cell since he’s known to wander.

 

[AnnesCuthberts]

Yes there has been much speculation about her not having a phone, and posters have pointed out they don’t have one or know people who don’t. Every person is different, but in my experience I feel that is the exception these days. Most people have one. MOO!
I think the WHY she did not have a phone is what is important here. And IMO that is SUPER important to me.

Yes, this is a good question I think, and can give us a better insight into her character.

 

[ZsaZsa]

I google every day but she also seems to have disappeared from local and national news.I can't find any updates. Even her local paper/tv has no mention of her that I can find....

 

[sumzero]

Yes there has been much speculation about her not having a phone, and posters have pointed out they don’t have one or know people who don’t. Every person is different, but in my experience I feel that is the exception these days. Most people have one. MOO!
I think the WHY she did not have a phone is what is important here. And IMO that is SUPER important to me.

For all we know, RT might've wanted BT to have her own cellphone but she didn't want one, so he deferred to her wishes. Who knows? We have so little factual information.

 

[rosesfromangels]

For all we know, RT might've wanted BT to have her own cellphone but she didn't want one, so he deferred to her wishes. Who knows? We have so little factual information.

Absolutely right. We can speculate all we want, but we shouldn't start developing our own narrative and claim it as fact. Great point!

Amateur opinion and speculation

 

[?mysterian?]

OK I got beat up asking about the cell phone. Sure would have helped BT in this case. Eh?

It only would've helped her if there was adequate cell service/signal where she was reportedly walking, IMO.
Otherwise, it's something else to carry, and I don't think she had pockets . Or worry about a phone getting lost.

There are still areas throughout the U.S. without cell service/signals. And there are many people without cell phones by choice. IMO.

I hope we hear some news/updates soon.

 

[Kapua]

It only would've helped her if there was adequate cell service/signal where she was reportedly walking, IMO.
Otherwise, it's something else to carry, and I don't think she had pockets . Or worry about a phone getting lost.

There are still areas throughout the U.S. without cell service/signals. And there are many people without cell phones by choice. IMO.

I hope we hear some news/updates soon.

IMHO, she was with her husband and most likely not expecting to be far enough away from him during their trip that she would have needed her own phone.

 

[Cherwell]

The phrase "prime suspect" bothers me, particularly when used during a missing person investigation when there's nothing to suggest that a crime has been committed. MOO ETA, I believe his exact words were "prime suspect".

It doesn't bother me. A lot of people routinely use this kind of soundbite phrase. It's a cliché from TV, film, print media. It's so familiar that it trips off the tongue without much thought.

Similar examples I encounter: people who are not themselves churchgoers often refer to "born-again Christians" when they simply mean someone who is a regular churchgoing Christian.
People telling other people that I speak "fluent French" which I do not. I just have more French that they do (which is none). Monoglot people tend not to understand what "fluent" means in this context but they say it anyway.

 

[kay74]

Sorry! Didn’t mean to make it seem like I was piling on. If it’s any consolation, I frequently nag my dad about not having a cell since he’s known to wander.

No problem I feel safer when I have my cell phone. I think it's the greatest invention in the last century.

 

[Cherwell]

I think the WHY she did not have a phone is what is important here. And IMO that is SUPER important to me.

@dbdb11 can possibly tell you that, as it may well have come up in conversation during her previous visit to HK.

 

[GordianKnot]

July 22nd - The investigation continues into the whereabouts of missing person Barbara Thomas from SBSD - Colorado River Sheriffs Department : Nixle
DATE/TIME: July 12, 2019 2:30 pm

INCIDENT: Missing Person

LOCATION: Kelbaker Road/Hidden Hills near I-40

VICTIM: Barbara Thomas, 69 years old, resident of Bullhead City, AZ described as 5'9, 130 lbs., Blonde hair, Green eyes
Last seen wearing a black bikini, a red baseball cap and tan hiking boots with black socks

SUMMARY:
UPDATE - Monday, July 22, 2019
The ongoing daily searches for Barbara Thomas in the Mohave National Preserve have been suspended. Additional searches will be conducted as any additional information is developed in the investigation.

Detectives from the Specialized Investigations Division have assumed the investigation as is standard department policy when a missing person has not been located.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Nicholas Clark, Specialized Investigations Division (909) 387-3589. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or www.wetip.com.

UPDATE #9
Sunday, July 21st, the search continued today for Barbara Thomas.
Search and Rescue members from throughout the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department were deployed into the field this morning just after sunrise. K9 units, members certified in cave searches, rope climbing and desert terrain ground searchers were utilized today.

The search has been suspended for the day due to extreme temperatures. No evidence of Barbara was located today.

UPDATE #8
Saturday, July 20th, the search continues this morning for Barbara Thomas.
Eighty (80) Search and Rescue members from throughout the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department were deployed into the field this morning just after sunrise. Off-road vehicles, K9 units, members certified in cave searches, rope climbing and desert terrain ground hikers are being utilized today. Aviation will be assisting throughout the search operation.

There has been no evidence of Barbara Thomas located on previous days. Temperatures are expected to reach over 100 degrees.

UPDATE #7
Friday, July 19th, the search continues this morning for Barbara Thomas. Search and Rescue members are utilizing off road vehicles, K9 units and hikers. The search resumed just after sunrise this morning. The search will include aerial support throughout the day.

There has been no evidence of Barbara Thomas located on previous days. Temperatures are expected to reach over 100 degrees.

UPDATE #6
Thursday, July 18th, the search continues for Barbara Thomas. Search and Rescue volunteers, a K9 unit, Sheriff's Aviation and personnel from the River Station are continuing to search the Mohave Desert in the are of Kelbaker/Hidden Hills near the 1-40. Search teams were deployed into the field at 5:00 am.

Temperatures are expected to reach over 100 degrees today.

UPDATE #5
Wednesday, July 17th, the search continues for Barbara Thomas. Search and Rescue volunteers, 3 K9 Units, Sheriff's Aviation and personnel from the River Station are continuing to search the Mohave Desert in the area of Kelbaker/Hidden Hills near the 1-40. Search efforts began this morning at sun up.

Temperatures are expected to reach over 100 degrees today.

UPDATE#4:
Tuesday, July 16th - the search continues for Barbara Thomas in the Mohave desert. Nearly 20 Search and Rescue volunteers, and deputies assigned to the River Station are continuing the search. Off road vehicles are being utilized to allow searchers to cover additional area.

There have been no sightings of her at this time. The temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees today.

UPDATE#3:
Monday, July 15th - the search continues for missing person Barbara Thomas in the Mohave desert. Barbara was last seen in the area of Kelbaker/Hidden Hills near the 1-40.

UPDATE #2:
The search is moving into the third day for Barbara Thomas in the Mohave desert. Barbara was last seen in the area of Kelbaker / Hidden Hills near the I-40. The search involves numerous Search & Rescue members, deputies, K9’s, Sheriff’s Aviation(helicopter) and Park Rangers.

There have been no sightings of her at this time. The temperatures today hovered around 104 degrees.

Updates will be issued as new information becomes available.
Anyone with information regarding Barbara's whereabouts is urged to contact the Colorado River Station at (760)326-9200 or Sheriff's Dispatch at (760)956-5001.
***************************************
UPDATE:
The search continues for Barbara Thomas in the Mohave desert approximately 20 miles north of the I-40 freeway east of Kelbaker Rd.
Numerous Search & Rescue members, deputies, K9’s, Sheriff’s Aviation(helicopter) and Park Rangers.

There have been no sightings of her at this time. The temperatures are above 100 degrees today.

Updates will be issued as new information becomes available.
Anyone with information regarding Barbara's whereabouts is urged to contact the Colorado River Station at (760)326-9200 or Sheriff's Dispatch at (760)956-5001.
***********************************

SUMMARY:
On July 12, 2019, at 2:30 p.m., Barbara and her husband Robert were hiking in the Mohave desert approximately 20 miles north of the I-40 freeway east of Kelbaker Rd. During the hike, Barbara and Robert got separated and she has not been seen since.
Barbara was last seen wearing a black bikini, a red baseball cap and tan hiking boots with black socks.

Barbara does not have any supplies or a cell phone.

An active search is underway with the assistance from Search & Rescue members, fire personnel, Park Rangers and Sheriff's Aviation.

Anyone with information regarding Barbara's whereabouts is urged to contact the Colorado River Station at (760)326-9200 or Sheriff's Dispatch at (760)956-5001.

SBSD - Colorado River Sheriffs Department
1111 Bailey Ave
Needles, CA 92363

Welcome, @fastoys! Thanks for joining us!

_________________________________________________________

Reading through the official search updates, here's something else that's kind of interesting:

July 15th is the last date that LE includes the statement that "Barbara was last seen in the area of Kelbaker/Hidden Hills near the 1-40."

After that, LE merely states that they're searching in that area.

They do NOT state that it's the area where she "was last seen" in any updates after July 15.

That, coupled with the fact that LE changed their language after RT gave his Bikini and Beer/Flunked My Poly & I'm the Prime Suspect interview on July 17th from there being "no sightings" of BT to "no evidence of Barbara" being found in that desert, really does make one wonder what LE thought about that interview.

I have no doubt they watched it with great interest.

Several times.

JMO.

 

[castilloisno1]

dbm

 

[LAhiker]

OT I am sitting here eating a second plate of pasta,because I am trying to keep from crying. My son who is on the autism spectrum is attending a conference with my husband. It is next to a river. My husband contacts me by text telling me that he lost our son. (He is an adult.) Two hours have passed since he lost our son. I just got a little taste of what the family of the missing go through. I texted my son..no answer. Kept texting..finally I called even though he hates to talk on the phone. Located him and told my husband where to find him. The whole process only took 30 minutes,but it is awful. My son is super intelligent and would never go to the river,but I kept thinking "What if". I always wondered why I am so attracted to this website. Now I know..if one day I could help someone find a missing love one,I would jump on it! Such a hopeless feeling! We need to find Barbara!!!

I'm so glad you were able to locate your son.

I hope that Barbara is found very soon.