Missing Since: 1979-07-01 Location: Minnetonka, Minnesota
Thomson was last seen standing by Highway 7 and Williston Road in Minnetoka, Minnesota on July 1, 1979. He was carrying a backpack, but had no other belongings with him. Later that year, he is known to have worked for very brief periods; his last known employers were Lewmont Drilling Associates in Denver, Colorado and Maverick Construction in Casper, Wyoming. There’s no record of the exact dates of his employment, and there’s been no sign of him since 1979. Thomson worked as a writer and journalist and lived in various European countries prior to his disappearance. He wrote a book called In the Shining Mountains: A Would-be Mountain Man in Search of Wilderness; it was published the same year he went missing. The book is about a man who seeks to live like an old-fashioned mountain man, but finds his dream intruded upon by modern society. Thomson’s loved ones believe he may have simply wanted to drop out of society and live off the land like the character in his book. Texas authorities are assisting with Thomson’s investigation. Investigating Agency Minnetonka Police Department 952-939-8500 Texas Department of Public Safety 800-346-3243 Source Information Texas Department of Public Safety NamUs The Doe Network LostNMissing Finding Dave Updated 4 times since October 12, 2004. Last updated October 19, 2014; medical conditions and details of disappearance updated.