Authorities in Okmulgee County resumed their search efforts Tuesday for a woman who went missing over the weekend after a brief halt due to severe weather.
Patretia Mathews, 71, was last seen in Bristow on Friday, Aug. 8. A Silver Alert was issued when it was determined she was missing and considered endangered, given her dementia diagnosis.
Mathews is described as a white female, 5’4” tall, weighing 245 pounds, with blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a blue shirt and blue shorts. She left her cell phone behind in Bristow, and no keys or purse were found in her vehicle, raising concerns that she may have become confused and lost during her travels. Investigators do not believe any foul play is involved, but the situation remains critical due to her health condition.
The search began over the weekend after deputies discovered Mathews’ car in a rural area near Beggs, along Jones/Webster Roads. Despite the challenging conditions of the terrain and the heat, search and rescue teams, along with Okmulgee County Emergency Management (OCEM), Okmulgee County Sheriff ’s Office, local fire departments, and other law enforcement agencies, immediately launched an extensive search. They are using drones and tracking dogs to assist in locating Mathews.
However, storms rolled into the area Monday evening, forcing the search to be temporarily halted for safety reasons. “Due to impending thunderstorms for the safety of all searchers, animals we have ceased search efforts for the evening. The entire search area is also located in a flash flood zone within the floodplain,” said Jeff Moore, the Okmulgee County Emergency Management Director. “We will resume as soon as possible and continue until all avenues have been exhausted.”
As of press time, the search is back on, with investigators following up on leads and potential sightings of Mathews.
Authorities are asking the community to refrain from conducting their own searches in the area. The Okmulgee County Sheriff ’s Office (OCSO) emphasized that the use of tracking dogs and drones is crucial to the operation and that outside search efforts could interfere with the ongoing efforts. The OCSO is actively following up on several leads, including possible sightings of Mathews in the Jones/Webster Roads area.
Family members have reported that Mathews mentioned she was seeking a new house in the area, which may explain her decision to drive to this rural location. Despite her ties to the region, the lack of cell service and her being unfamiliar with the area has made the search more complicated.
“We’re facing extreme conditions. It’s 95 degrees with a 98% heat index, which is very challenging for our search teams and the dogs,” said Moore. “The dogs can work in areas that we can’t reach, but they can only stay active for about 20 minutes in this thick environment. We are exhausted, but we will keep pushing forward.”
As the search continues, the OCSO urges anyone with information or possible sightings of Mathews to call their non-emergency line at 918-759-2235 or dial 9-1-1. The public’s assistance is crucial in locating Mathews and ensuring her safe return.
Tips and information are greatly appreciated and citizens are urged to please contact the Okmulgee County Sheriff ’s Office.
Authorities are continuing to work diligently and remain hopeful that they will find Mathews soon.
