A California father who was reported missing after enjoying Super Bowl festivities with friends in San Jose was found deceased six days later, discovered in a creek behind Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Thomas Simpkins, 44, entered an Uber around 9 p.m. on February 8, intending to head home after celebrating the Super Bowl with a barbecue a few miles from the stadium, where the Seattle Seahawks faced off against the New England Patriots.
“My brother and I texted a lot,” Brandi Stroud shared, noting that they had spoken just before he left for the gathering.
During their conversation, Simpkins mentioned he planned to go home and relax, but his sister never heard from him again after he returned to the mansion.
The following day, Simpkins’ 19-year-old son, Tyler, found out his father hadn’t reported for his shift at a Palo Alto restaurant where he worked.
Tyler then filed a missing person report for his father, as the family started to worry.
Stroud, who resides in Oregon, flew to the Bay Area to assist in the search for Simpkins. However, initial efforts yielded no results, and it wasn’t until an anonymous person sent audio from a police scanner that they received any information.
According to the audio, authorities uncovered human remains in San Tomas Aquino Creek behind Levi’s Stadium on February 14, nearly a week after Simpkins’ disappearance.
“I only learned about the body being found from a random woman on Facebook,” Stroud said.
Stroud mentioned that when officers discovered Simpkins, his cell phone and wallet were missing.
Authorities confirmed the remains were Simpkins’, and the investigation into his death is ongoing, with police treating it as a potential homicide.
Details regarding the cause of death have yet to be disclosed, and toxicology results may take several months.
Stroud voiced concerns that local law enforcement agencies didn’t properly address the urgency of her brother’s case and passed it around until the San Jose police finally took charge.
“There have been significant delays,” she remarked, expressing frustration that her brother’s situation wasn’t given the seriousness it deserved.
The incident raised questions about how Simpkins ended up near a venue filled with over 70,000 fans for the game.
“He was a deeply loved son, brother, husband, father, and friend,” his family stated. “Our family is devastated and still trying to process this loss.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been started to assist with transportation and funeral costs as Simpkins will be laid to rest alongside family members in Redding, California.
The family, which includes his son, wife, stepchildren, mother, and sister, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support during this challenging time.
