Authorities resumed their search of Black River Tuesday morning for a local man. He has not been heard from in more than three days and his shoes were among items found on a river levee near where he was living.
At about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Butler County deputies were sent to the Dan River access area on County Road 611 in reference to a person possibly being in Black River, explained Lt. Charles Phelps.
A deputy, he said, made contact with Donna Woods, who reported she had found her son's shoes, one sock and belt on the river levee.
Woods, according to Sgt. James Lewis, was driving toward her son's residence to check on him when she saw the items "right there on the side of the road."
Due to the levee's height, Lewis said, the items would have been at "eye level to see from the vehicle."
Woods' son is identified as Thomas Mayabb, 41, Phelps said.
"The last time family had spoken with him was Friday sometime," Phelps said. "Family members had gone to his residence on County Road 611," which was just down the road from the items, at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday and were unable to find him.
Due to issues Mayabb was having, Phelps said, family members were concerned about him. It is unknown, at this time, whether Mayabb entered the river.
Deputies, he said, as well as troopers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, conducted ground searches around the river, and checked Mayabb's camper, where he was living.
Mayabb's camper, Lewis said, is about a quarter of a mile south of the boat ramp, while his personal items were found north of the boat ramp.
There was "nothing that we can say for sure" which indicates a location where Mayabb may have entered the river, Phelps said.
"We checked the river banks and dragged the river," said Phelps, who indicated it is "big area above and below" where the items were found.
Both agencies, he said, have had boats in the water to assist in the search.
Phelps described the water as being "very swift."
Lewis said an officer dropped a 6-foot pole into the river about 4 feet from the bank and "buried it (submerged)" without hitting the river bottom.
Officers, Phelps said, searched until about 7 p.m. Tuesday and were to resume their searches, including on the river, at 9 a.m. today.
Phelps said officers also will be contacting family members and "different ones to see if anyone has heard from him."