Body of California father who went lacking after Super Bowl celebration present in ravine six days later | EUROtoday

The household of a Bay Area man is in search of solutions after he was discovered useless in a creek subsequent to Levi’s Stadium practically per week after disappearing on Super Bowl Sunday.

Thomas Simpkins, 44, a Santa Clara resident and father, was found on February 14 in San Tomas Aquino Creek, which runs alongside the stadium the place the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots on February 8.

Simpkins’ loss of life is being investigated as a potential murder, his sister, Brandi Stroud, instructed the San Francisco Chronicle. He leaves behind three stepchildren and one organic son and was within the midst of a divorce, she added.

The Santa Clara Police Department described the case to the outlet as an ongoing investigation however didn’t present additional particulars. The Santa Clara County medical expert’s workplace has not but decided the trigger or method of loss of life and instructed the SF Chronicle that extra investigation is pending.

Stroud instructed NBC Bay Area that Simpkins was final seen the night time of the Super Bowl, after attending a barbecue in South San Jose with pals. He reportedly took an Uber residence round 9 p.m., planning to chill out after the festivities, in response to texts shared with Stroud.

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The subsequent day, Simpkins’ 19-year-old son went to the Palo Alto restaurant the place his father labored and realized that he had missed his shift. Concern grew when the household couldn’t attain Simpkins by telephone, prompting them to file a lacking individuals report.

Stroud, who lives in Oregon, traveled to the Bay Area to assist seek for her brother. The household’s efforts have been initially unsuccessful, and she or he mentioned she solely realized {that a} physique had been recovered within the creek close to the stadium after a stranger despatched her a hyperlink to police scanner audio on Facebook, NBC Bay Area experiences.

She contacted the medical expert’s workplace and recognized her brother by a big tattoo of his final identify throughout his again. Authorities later confirmed the physique had been present in San Tomas Aquino Creek, about six miles from his residence. His telephone and pockets have been lacking when police discovered him, in response to Stroud.

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The case was delayed three days as neighboring metropolis police handed it backwards and forwards earlier than San Jose police took over, Stroud claimed.

“There was a huge delay,” she instructed the SF Chronicle. “They didn’t take my brother’s case seriously at all.”

The San Jose Police Department instructed The Independent in a press release Saturday that as a result of the case concerned a number of jurisdictions, the businesses coordinated to make sure the investigation was dealt with totally and correctly.

“We understand how incredibly difficult and emotional this situation is for the family. When a loved one is missing, every moment feels critical, and we recognize the fear and frustration that can come with that uncertainty,” the assertion learn.

“At no point was this case dismissed or ignored. Both agencies worked to ensure the matter was addressed in accordance with investigative protocols and jurisdictional requirements,” it continued.

Santa Clara police, which led the investigation after the physique was discovered, added in a press release to the SF Chronicle“This case was not delayed and was investigated with the protocols and investigative steps required.”

The Independent has contacted the Santa Clara Police Department Santa Clara County medical expert’s workplace for remark.