Found Deceased PA - Thomas Hughes, 25, Pittsburgh/Beechview, 23 Jan 2021

[MyJoey]

I wonder if they used any search dogs in the area he went missing? It sounds like he had a mental break down. Also sounds like there’s more to the story we aren’t hearing, not that we should.....just saying.

 

[Chocoholic]

This latest news makes me so sad for his family. Not sure what to think, but telling a friend he’s depressed and leaving with a pistol doesn’t sound very positive to me. I pray he is found safely. And if he’s not, I pray for peace for his family and loved ones.

 

[Callalily711]

I have many questions about Mr. H. because it seems like key pieces of information are missing about his life and personality on purpose.
Was he a drug addict? Did he have developmental issues? Was he on prescribed medication(s)? Did he have periodic episodes where he left for periods of time and then came back? Does he have a history of depression?
His social media accounts show what people usually want their social media accounts to show...someone wholesome and well adjusted...friends, beer, hunting, camping, political views...ect. What was his real side?
Was Mr. H really that complicated?
It’s not unusual in and of itself for a man to carry. The strange thing is the hour long bathroom stay...was he taking drugs or was he having a heated phone conversation about a meeting or both? When he comes down stairs, is he off to a meeting in a huff or rambling nonsense because he is high? Or both? Did he meet someone on the trail and go sit or leave in their car? Possibly expire in their car? Or did he wonder away and do self harm? There is no suicide note. Is it foul play if he had a reaction to something he tried in another persons vehicle? It’s a very intriguing case to say the least. A huge chunk is missing in the narrative leading up to his disappearance.

 

[MyJoey]

Usually in my experience when I read “ he’s had demons in the past” I believe I seen that in one of the articles. It tells me there has been drug use but he was doing good the weeks before taking off. That was my take from it. Sadly this pandemic has been really hard on people with addictions.

 

[MyJoey]

Thinking about a 25 year old moving in with a woman, with three children would have been a major life style change. Major life style change at any age, really. I wonder if he was feeling some kind of pressure. Seems he was only at the new job a few months. New girl, new job and three kids. Going from being taken care of at home ( I’m guessing) to taking care of others is a big adjustment and responsibility maybe he wasn’t ready for.

 

[Spider92]

Morning all. Nothing new reported this morning so please allow me to make some random observations.
Yes, @MyJoey , it's possible that Thomas's demons related to drugs. I usually associate that phrase with mental health issues maybe because I've seen a lot in that area. Often LE will mention that a person left without his meds but I don't recall seeing that here. Of course, LE didn't mention anything about a pistol either....
Speaking of which, I presume that strangers were out looking for Thomas after the first 48 hours when it was reported that he was missing and that his minivan was seen near a park area. I wondering if LE should have mentioned that he was carrying a gun? If I was out there looking, I'd certainly like to know that. Particularly since he left the house in a huff and was seen on the convenience store video as what some here described as a "man on a mission".
Did we ever learn if he bought something at that store? When I think about somebody with a gun, intentionally withholding information as to where he's going, my next thought is "burner phone". Could he have been looking for one?
Lastly, and I'll try to be careful here, he went missing during a month that will be known historically as one of the most politically active on record. We had run-off elections in GA, the event at the Capitol, an innaugaration and an impeachment. I've read on this board that Thomas had previously posted some political statements. I don't know what they were and really don't care. But I think it's worth considering. According to his family, he had a good relationship with his girlfriend and I suspect that his job was going well since his employer added $5,000 to the reward pool.
Something upset this young man and the presence of the pistol does not sit well with me.
Hopefully he returns safely during this long holiday weekend.

 

[steeltowngirl]

Morning all. Nothing new reported this morning so please allow me to make some random observations.
Yes, @MyJoey , it's possible that Thomas's demons related to drugs. I usually associate that phrase with mental health issues maybe because I've seen a lot in that area. Often LE will mention that a person left without his meds but I don't recall seeing that here. Of course, LE didn't mention anything about a pistol either....
Speaking of which, I presume that strangers were out looking for Thomas after the first 48 hours when it was reported that he was missing and that his minivan was seen near a park area. I wondering if LE should have mentioned that he was carrying a gun? If I was out there looking, I'd certainly like to know that. Particularly since he left the house in a huff and was seen on the convenience store video as what some here described as a "man on a mission".
Did we ever learn if he bought something at that store? When I think about somebody with a gun, intentionally withholding information as to where he's going, my next thought is "burner phone". Could he have been looking for one?
Lastly, and I'll try to be careful here, he went missing during a month that will be known historically as one of the most politically active on record. We had run-off elections in GA, the event at the Capitol, an innaugaration and an impeachment. I've read on this board that Thomas had previously posted some political statements. I don't know what they were and really don't care. But I think it's worth considering. According to his family, he had a good relationship with his girlfriend and I suspect that his job was going well since his employer added $5,000 to the reward pool.
Something upset this young man and the presence of the pistol does not sit well with me.
Hopefully he returns safely during this long holiday weekend.

Good post. The gun is scary. I wonder if the police knew about the gun, or did that get revealed to them a few days later?

He bought an energy drink, clip below is from PommyMommy’s earlier post. But the burner phone is a good thought too. We don’t know what else he bought, or what he was hoping to buy at the convenience store.

Police later tracked down surveillance video of Thomas in the immediate hours after he left his family.

First, in a gas station on Brighton Road buying an energy drink. Then, driving his minivan at the intersection of 10th and Carson streets. And finally turning down 18th Street toward the Monongahela River.

 

[Ms. Fletcher]

He was from this area. I would be interested to know if there were any relationships or friendships that may have ended badly from his time living there.

 

[Missinginpittsburgh]

I wonder why he went all the way to the gas station on the Northside to get an energy drink? Wasn't his sisters house, the house he left in beechview? And his car was seen leaving that area, going back around that area, on 10th street and 18th street on the south side. Seems like he was mostly on the Southside of town. What would make him drive to the Northside? To meet whoever he was texting with? Did he meet someone on the Northside and drive with them to the Southside and something went wrong from there? He has no mask on in the gas station video so was he in a hurry? So many questions so little answers!

 

[Ms. Fletcher]

I wonder why he went all the way to the gas station on the Northside to get an energy drink? Wasn't his sisters house, the house he left in beechview? And his car was seen leaving that area, going back around that area, on 10th street and 18th street on the south side. Seems like he was mostly on the Southside of town. What would make him drive to the Northside? To meet whoever he was texting with? Did he meet someone on the Northside and drive with them to the Southside and something went wrong from there? He has no mask on in the gas station video so was he in a hurry? So many questions so little answers!

That's a good question. There could have been a specific reason to be there.

I would be interested to know if energy drinks were a typical thing for him to consume. Was it for the taste? I know some people enjoy them, but others only drink them for the energy. Was he planning to be up for a while and needed the boost? If he was tired he could have just gone back to the house. With the abrupt way he is said to have left and from the gas station video, it seems he was on some sort of mission from the time he left the house. Was it a mission about himself or someone/something else?

 

[MyJoey]

Interesting also that the Van was the Girlfriend’s so it makes sense he left the keys. Something triggered him to take off, either being back in his home town area or something said at the house. The whole hour (I’ll go with that although one report was two hours) in the bathroom gets me. I agree Spider92 definitely could be mental health issues and the burner phone but it don’t seem he’s calling anyone. I would like to know if he had a decent amount of money on him. He would of brought the gun with him when he went to visit his sisters home. Always scares me that young men can carry guns.

 

[bancam]

...Something triggered him to take off, either being back in his home town area or something said at the house...

Yes, the latter is what I’m inclined to think. Heard before locking himself in the bathroom or overheard while in there. Especially when his last words to his dad were “could you just trust me one time?'” Would be good to know his general tone at the time of saying this - without, it’s impossible to tell whether it was a reflective or an anticipatory type of statement.

 

[flowermama]

It really seems like he was possibly going out to meet someone.... I wonder what the phone records say. But you’d think that would lead the police to someone or something ...
I hope Tom is found soon!

 

[Seekingthehidden]

I'm a new member with a long time interest in justice and puzzling cases like this. It's devastating to family, I know personally. A few thoughts: hopefully Thomas wasnt using drugs but if he had relapsed, he may not have driven the Van to where it was parked. If he met someone to use drugs and he overdosed, someone else could have driven the Van back there. They wouldn't want it parked near where they were using. It's common for users to go to "trap" houses, (empty or abandoned properties to hide their drug use). If he overdosed, he could be in one of these trap houses. I wonder if the police dusted the Van for fingerprints. They stated no foul play suspected, but if the Van was simply parked by someone, there'd be no signs of a crime. Taking a gun along to meet a drug dealer isn't uncommon. I was also thinking the store video shows a man on a mission as he enters the store and nearly brushes the patron at the register. He also turned around and surveyed the patron and register area. Did they exchange words or was he meeting someone he never met and he was looking to see if that patron was his contact. Have the police identified this patron and questioned him? It wouldn't be hard if he paid for his purchase with a card that day and time. Lastly for now, he seemed upset or anxious, but to run out of the house and say what he did about "trust me..." Not really the last words of someone wanting to intentionally leave this life....not sure about suicide. If he just wanted to skip out and start over, a new life...it doesn't fit. I pray he's found safe and I pray his family finds peace.

 

[Ms. Fletcher]

I'm a new member with a long time interest in justice and puzzling cases like this. It's devastating to family, I know personally. A few thoughts: hopefully Thomas wasnt using drugs but if he had relapsed, he may not have driven the Van to where it was parked. If he met someone to use drugs and he overdosed, someone else could have driven the Van back there. They wouldn't want it parked near where they were using. It's common for users to go to "trap" houses, (empty or abandoned properties to hide their drug use). If he overdosed, he could be in one of these trap houses. I wonder if the police dusted the Van for fingerprints. They stated no foul play suspected, but if the Van was simply parked by someone, there'd be no signs of a crime. Taking a gun along to meet a drug dealer isn't uncommon. I was also thinking the store video shows a man on a mission as he enters the store and nearly brushes the patron at the register. He also turned around and surveyed the patron and register area. Did they exchange words or was he meeting someone he never met and he was looking to see if that patron was his contact. Have the police identified this patron and questioned him? It wouldn't be hard if he paid for his purchase with a card that day and time. Lastly for now, he seemed upset or anxious, but to run out of the house and say what he did about "trust me..." Not really the last words of someone wanting to intentionally leave this life....not sure about suicide. If he just wanted to skip out and start over, a new life...it doesn't fit. I pray he's found safe and I pray his family finds peace.

Welcome to Websleuths! We're glad you decided to join. Great first post!

This case is very puzzling. From the information provided he was reported to be seen driving in the area near where the vehicle was located. Of course there is the possibility that it was not him. We also do not know who/what the sighting came from (camera? witness?). So the possibility is there that the vehicle could have been left by someone other than Thomas. It sounds like LE thinks it was him.

 

[Callalily711]

I agree. I suspect there was another person(s) involved. I’m not surprised about the gun carry because so many people carry in Pennsylvania/Allegheny county and surrounding counties that nobody even realizes. That’s why it was never mentioned initially because it is common. He is 6’1 and over 200 pounds. Check out what happens when you mix energy drinks with other substances. It can be fatal. I hope he is found as well. I just suspect it was an accident, whatever happened and I don’t think the gun was a part of it. I hope his family gets answers soon.

 

[MyJoey]

It sounds like the family knew right away something was off. Dad went out driving around looking for him. Wonder how things were going with the girlfriend? If she noticed a change in him before going to the house. My heart hurts for the family, the not knowing is horrible.

 

[MyJoey]

Thoughts ? I’m thinking the person he was with, has to have an idea what Thomas was going to do. Why was it SO important to meet with whoever that night.

 

[steeltowngirl]

Thoughts ? I’m thinking the person he was with, has to have an idea what Thomas was going to do. Why was it SO important to meet with whoever that night.

Interesting. First we’ve heard he picked up someone at 11:30 pm and dropped someone off at 3 am. If he wasn’t answering his phone, then how did they learn this? His last cell ping was near 4 am.

Sure as heck hope police have had a long talk with the friend that was with him one hour before cell phone stopped pinging.

 

[Ms. Fletcher]

Thoughts ? I’m thinking the person he was with, has to have an idea what Thomas was going to do. Why was it SO important to meet with whoever that night.

Whoa! @MyJoey Do you know what paper this is? This is definitely a new bit of info to take into account! And it mentions that there was a second person he was in touch with. I wonder if this was in person or by phone/text/social media.