Highway Patrol boat finds nothing; search for missing Columbia man continues

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Correction: The drone belonged to a member of the search party.

After Missouri State Highway Patrol Troopers searched the water at Rocky Fork Lakes, they returned to the shore empty-handed. The search for a missing man from Columbia continues as friends and family urge the public to help.

Search efforts got underway Sunday morning at Rocky Fork Lakes Conservation Area for 41-year-old Daniel Lee Thompson. According to Columbia Police, Thompson was reported missing on July 7 and was last heard from June 26.

As of 11:15 a.m., search efforts including Bloodhounds led search and rescue crews to an area near a lake at the Conservation area. A search party drone flying overhead spotted something suspicious in the water. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is assisting the search with its water patrol and diving team. Nothing has been confirmed at this time, though this is the area where Thompson's vehicle was found.

Thompson's car was found abandoned in the Rocky Forks Conservation area.

Patricia Beasley, who was Thompson's friend and co-worker at Truman VA Hospital said she organized the search for Thompson using social media.

Beasley was able to gather friends and family to create a search group including the Dry Creek Bloodhounds from Franklin County and the community organization, Missouri Missing, to help with Sunday's search efforts.

Thompson's friend Shawn Kober said outdoor activities were something he and Thompson enjoyed doing.

Thompson is about 5'8 with brown eyes and black hair and a beard and is said to have multiple tattoos including roses on both temples.

Thompson's sister, Amy Thompson, said she just wants to see her brother again.

"Dan if you're out there and you hear this, please come home, your family and friends and co-workers love you and miss you and we want to see you return safely," said Thompson.

Anyone with information about Thompson's whereabouts is asked to call the police.