MT MT - Paul Batson, 45, Stillwater Co, 29 Apr 2018

[EGirl]

I keep checking everyday, hoping for good news about Paul. Prayers and continued strength to his family. raying:

 

[Avalon4ever]

Thank you for signing up here and for those amazing words, Avalon. It is so nice to hear such wonderful things about Paul. We will be here until he is found and bought back to you.

I'm not going to say anything further until I've caught up as I am sure I will repeat! :heartbeat:

Love to you and yours.

Thank you so much for your heart felt message. We truly appreciate your support for Paul. It helps to know you are not alone during this most difficult time. All the best.
💕

 

[Steelslady]

Oh I just realized that I replied to each of you individually but I didn't include your posts to me or my original post so there are just a bunch of random "thank you replies" not addressed to anyone in particular! Whoops sorry... well hopefully each of you know how grateful I am for your beautiful, encouraging words for Paul and our family. Thank you all!!

I am just so sorry you and your family have to go through this- you all sound like wonderful, fun and caring people. I hope and pray Paul is found soon, safe and sound. I can't imagine what this is like for you and your family. :heartbeat:

 

[siliconrod]

He never made it to the April 30 meeting at the Bozeman Postal Service:

https://www.stillwatercountynews.com/content/without-trace

TIMELINE
Batson is reportedly a United States Navy veteran and a current U.S. Postal worker from Batavia, Ill., who was in Montana checking out Butte and Bozeman as possible transfer cities, said Stillwater County Sheriff’s Sgt. Randy Smith.
Batson was last heard from at approximately 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, when he told his girlfriend he was at the Bozeman Public Library and had a meeting with the Bozeman Postal Service the following morning, April 30, according to police reports.
Batson never showed up at that meeting. After calling hospitals and multiple attempts at making contact with him, the girlfriend reported Batson missing to the Bozeman Police Department.
At approximately 12:23 p.m. the following day, a Still-water County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a call about Batson’s abandoned 2016 Dodge Charger that was parked on the street across from the gas station in Reed Point. Batavia, Ill., police were contacted in an effort to locate a phone number, but a number was not found. The deputy wrote on the car’s window for Batson to call the sheriff’s office.
At 8:35 p.m., dispatch got a “delayed hit” on the car, and learned the owner had been reported as missing by the Bozeman PD the previous day. A deputy returned to the location and noted the vehicle was “extremely clean” and the only items missing appeared to be Batson’s cell phone and his wallet. People in the area were questioned, but none remembered seeing a man that matched Bat-son’s description.
The car was impounded and a search for Batson was launched immediately.

According to the timeline above Paul's girlfriend notified Bozeman LE on April 30 about Paul being missing.
Its not mentioned in the timeline above but I believe the Dodge Charger was seen on the gas station CCTV arriving sometime later in the evening of April 29 and then reported to LE the next day. What ever happened to Paul occurred shortly after the 4:00pm phone call to his girlfriend. I pray that a Paul is still alive because the world is a better place with him.

 

[KNinTX]

According to the timeline above Paul's girlfriend notified Bozeman LE on April 30 about Paul being missing.
Its not mentioned in the timeline above but I believe the Dodge Charger was seen on the gas station CCTV arriving sometime later in the evening of April 29 and then reported to LE the next day. What ever happened to Paul occurred shortly after the 4:00pm phone call to his girlfriend. I pray that a Paul is still alive because the world is a better place with him.

(timeline/article here for reference - https://www.stillwatercountynews.com/content/without-trace)

Has LE confirmed the exact date and time Paul was reported missing? I've read conflicting articles on this - some say 29th and some say 30th.

 

[SeesSeas]

STILLWATER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Press Release: May 15, 2018
Update on search for Paul Batson:
https://www.facebook.com/StillwaterCSO/photos/pcb.1931694050197864/1931693943531208/?type=3&theater
Includes map of search area

 

[Traymar]

(timeline/article here for reference - https://www.stillwatercountynews.com/content/without-trace)

Has LE confirmed the exact date and time Paul was reported missing? I've read conflicting articles on this - some say 29th and some say 30th.

I believe he was reported missing on the 30th, but his car was found (before they knew whose car it was) on the 29th. The updated press release that SeesSeas posted confirms date of car being found as the 29th.

Link to newest PR: https://www.facebook.com/Still...31693943531208/?type=3&theater




Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

 

[Jazzy5980]

Attached is a link to the map of the search area referred to in the last post. An area along the Yellowstone River has been searched as well as acreage south of Reedpoint which is across the interstate from the town. Very odd and unsettling. Prayers for Paul and his family.
//www.facebook.com/StillwaterCSO/photos/a.437495942951023.101658.229142063786413/1931693783531224/?type=3

 

[Jazzy5980]

I’m sorry the link I copied to the map of the search area will not open.

 

[inmyhumbleopinion]

(timeline/article here for reference - https://www.stillwatercountynews.com/content/without-trace)

Has LE confirmed the exact date and time Paul was reported missing? I've read conflicting articles on this - some say 29th and some say 30th.

I’m sorry this is one of my own posts, but I thought I’d bring it forward as some of the information in it may help answer your question:

“[SBM]

Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office’s FB page says “His [Paul’s] vehicle was located in Reed Point Sunday evening, April 29th, 2018.” (BBM)

https://www.facebook.com/StillwaterC...17625741604695

However:

“At approximately 12:23 p.m. the following day [April 30th], a Stillwater County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a call about Batson’s abandoned 2016 Dodge Charger that was parked on the street across from the gas station in Reed Point. Batavia, Ill., police were contacted in an effort to locate a phone number, but a number was not found. The deputy wrote on the car’s window for Batson to call the sheriff’s office.

At 8:35 p.m., dispatch got a ‘delayed hit’ on the car, and learned the owner had been reported as missing by the Bozeman PD the previous day [April 29th]. A deputy returned to the location and noted the vehicle was “extremely clean” and the only items missing appeared to be Batson’s cell phone and his wallet. People in the area were questioned, but none remembered seeing a man that matched Batson’s description.

The car was impounded and a search for Batson was launched immediately.” (BBM)

https://www.stillwatercountynews.com.../without-trace

So how do LE know Paul’s car was already in Reed Point Sunday evening when they weren’t made aware of it until 12:23 p.m. the next day? Perhaps it was caught on camera, possibly belonging to the gas station across the street.

Also:

“Batson was last heard from at approximately 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, when he told his girlfriend he was at the Bozeman Public Library and had a meeting with the Bozeman Postal Service the following morning, April 30, according to police reports.” (BBM)

https://www.stillwatercountynews.com.../without-trace

And:

“Batson last sent a text to his girlfriend in Illinois on Sunday from Montana, Batson-List said. There haven't been any texts or phone calls since.

Batson's girlfriend reported him missing after speaking with Batson's family and calling hospitals and hotels in the Bozeman area, Batson-List said.” (BBM)

http://www.dailyherald.com/news/2018...ces-in-montana

I wonder if Paul said something concerning in the text. Had he picked up a hitchhiker? Did he sound despondent? It would have been sent after they spoke around 4 p.m. on Sunday when he said he was at the library in Bozeman, and she reported him missing the same night.

It sounds like maybe there was something in that text the girlfriend immediately found concerning.

https://www.websleuths.com/forums/s...-County-29-April-2018&p=14103836#post14103836

 

[SeesSeas]

I’m sorry the link I copied to the map of the search area will not open.

Here it the link:
Stillwater County Sheriff's Office
Total area coverage through May 14th, 2018
https://www.facebook.com/Stillwater...1658.229142063786413/1931693783531224/?type=3

 

[Cherry]

Im jumping ahead, hvnt read entire thread His pc in Illinois must be scoured asap.

 

[Chicagogirl]

Im jumping ahead, hvnt read entire thread His pc in Illinois must be scoured asap.

I was wondering about the very same thing!!! As I’ve said before, Paul is our mail carrier here in the suburbs of Chicago. We’re hearing very little here on this end as far as news coverage, etc. which is maybe to be expected since he went missing in Montana.

Could LE in Montana call for his PC to be searched or does that fall under Illinois or even local jurisdiction?? That’s assuming his PC is at his home in Illinois. I have no clue. I do think some vital information could possibly be discovered.

 

[Amonet]

I just had a look at Reed Point on Google maps. I didn't realize how small it is.

I would say that someone parks their car roughly where they want to be in a place like that, or as close as possible.

I think actually my first question is why does he stop off there? I don't see any reason he couldn't stop off at two or three other towns similar to Reed Point that are closer to Bozeman if he wanted to look at the river...at he hasn't parked close to the river, he's parked closer to the Interstate.

So why would someone stop off in Reed Point. They know someone there? They stop for a call of nature? They stop to get gas? They stop to get a snack or sit down in a cafe? A few of these could be combined.

Why Reed Point? It's roughly halfway between Bozeman and Billings?

The position we believe the car to have been in, somewhere around the post office and the gas station, and there's a convenience store on the other side of the road, too. The position suggests someone stopping to use facilities and buy some food (if he left Bozeman just after four it's probably around teatime.

If Paul parked the car there and walked all the way to the river, it's illogical. It's also odd that every single person in Reed Point was inside eating dinner and no one saw him walk that distance?

The next closest thing to where we think the car was parked is the RV park. I would want to know everything about each person in those RVs.

How long had Paul been in Bozeman? Had he booked a motel room? If not, why not? Was he planning on sleeping in the car?

Why does no one in Reed Point report seeing Paul or speaking to him? If he was walking to the river he has to walk through the main thoroughfare all the way down to the train track and the to the river (along a road that his car could go down). But he's parked where he ought to be going into the gas station or the convenience store and buying something or asking for directions. Or he could walk over to the RV park.

What was Paul doing in the library at Bozeman? Was he on the internet? Doing what? Did he call anyone else on that phone before it went dead?

 

[Avalon4ever]

I keep checking everyday, hoping for good news about Paul. Prayers and continued strength to his family. raying:

Thank you. I'm hoping and praying for that good news we've all wanted to see. Thank you for your support for Paul.

 

[Avalon4ever]

Sending good thoughts your way for good news to come today, Avalon. Doing my daily check in on Paul! :heartbeat:

Thank you. That means a lot. All the best

 

[Avalon4ever]

I am just so sorry you and your family have to go through this- you all sound like wonderful, fun and caring people. I hope and pray Paul is found soon, safe and sound. I can't imagine what this is like for you and your family. :heartbeat:

That is very kind of you and comforting to me. Yes it's been a nightmare for us but we are strong and trying our best to stay hopeful. The prayers and support truly help us every day.

 

[Avalon4ever]

No problem Avalon! And a warm welcome from me too

Hello and thank you!

 

[DakotaMayi]

Any news today, Avalon? lease:

 

[Aescwynn]

...

The position we believe the car to have been in, somewhere around the post office and the gas station, and there's a convenience store on the other side of the road, too. The position suggests someone stopping to use facilities and buy some food (if he left Bozeman just after four it's probably around teatime.

If Paul parked the car there and walked all the way to the river, it's illogical. It's also odd that every single person in Reed Point was inside eating dinner and no one saw him walk that distance?

The next closest thing to where we think the car was parked is the RV park. I would want to know everything about each person in those RVs.

....

Why does no one in Reed Point report seeing Paul or speaking to him? If he was walking to the river he has to walk through the main thoroughfare all the way down to the train track and the to the river (along a road that his car could go down). But he's parked where he ought to be going into the gas station or the convenience store and buying something or asking for directions. Or he could walk over to the RV park.

...

Take a close look at @inmyhumbleopinion's police timeline above (post#256).

Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office’s FB page says “His [Paul’s] vehicle was located in Reed Point Sunday evening, April 29th, 2018.” (BBM)

https://www.facebook.com/StillwaterC...17625741604695

It was Sunday evening. Reed Point isn't exactly a big destination and from the photo I saw, the gas station across from the post office is more of a mechanic's shop than a convenience store. No one knows exactly when the car was parked or how long it had been there before the police took notice of it. It is entirely possible, perhaps even probable, that the gas station/garage was closed when car and driver arrived.