78-Year-Old Thomas Weightman Missing After Telling Family He Fell into a Hole

The disappearance of 78-year-old Oregon resident Thomas Weightman has gripped the small communities of Washington County and Forest Grove in a mystery that seems pulled from the pages of a survival thriller. What began as a brief and cryptic phone call to family — a few haunting words, “I fell into a hole” — has spiraled into a full-scale search operation across miles of rugged, forested terrain. As days pass without a trace, the incident has raised urgent questions about how a simple morning walk could turn into a life-threatening ordeal in one of Oregon’s most scenic yet treacherous landscapes.

A Vanishing in Broad Daylight

On the morning of Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Thomas Weightman left his family’s home near the intersection of Valley Crest Way and Circle Crest Drive in the quiet city of Forest Grove. Known for his routine walks and independent spirit, Weightman was reportedly in good spirits when he stepped out around 10 a.m. He was dressed in casual outdoor wear — blue jeans, a red flannel button-up shirt, black shoes, and a dark baseball cap — standard attire for a cool Oregon morning.

When hours passed without his return, family members began to grow uneasy. Their concern escalated dramatically after they received a brief phone call from Thomas Weightman sometime later that afternoon. According to police, he told his family that he had “fallen into a hole” and didn’t know where he was. The line soon disconnected, and further attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.

Authorities were notified at approximately 5:37 p.m., prompting an immediate response from the Forest Grove Police Department. Officers began canvassing the surrounding neighborhoods and woodland areas, but no sign of the elderly man was found. Given the description of his last known communication, officials feared he might be trapped or injured in an inaccessible location.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office took over the investigation and coordinated search efforts through its Search and Rescue (SAR) team. By that evening, the search expanded into the surrounding remote areas of Gales Creek, a region characterized by thick forests, uneven terrain, and a network of rural roads and trails that can be disorienting even to experienced hikers.

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Despite using cell phone triangulation to narrow down Thomas Weightman’s possible location, authorities reported that the signals were too weak or scattered to pinpoint where the call originated. “Continued search efforts coordinated by the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team are underway,” officials stated, urging residents in the area to check their properties and outbuildings for any sign of the missing man.

A Community Mobilizes Amid Uncertainty

As word of Thomas Weightman’s disappearance spread, Forest Grove and neighboring communities rallied in a unified response. Local residents began scouring wooded lots, fields, and drainage ditches, while volunteers joined law enforcement in combing the region’s trails and creeks. Social media became a vital hub of coordination, with the Sheriff’s Office and residents sharing updates, photographs, and tips about potential sightings.

The official search zone was established along NW Gales Creek Road, stretching south of NW Wilson River Highway and extending to NW Mystic Drive, with an eastern boundary marked by NW Shearer Road. The area is known for its dense vegetation, winding rural routes, and scattered properties that border the Tillamook State Forest. These conditions make it particularly challenging for searchers, as visibility is limited and the landscape includes sharp elevation changes, sinkholes, and hidden ravines.

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Search and Rescue teams, supported by trained volunteers and K9 units, began sweeping the area using both ground and aerial surveillance. Drones equipped with thermal imaging were deployed to detect heat signatures in areas difficult for humans to reach. Helicopters from the Oregon Department of Aviation also joined the effort, scanning valleys and creek beds for any sign of movement or discarded clothing that might match Weightman’s description.

Sheriff’s Office spokespersons emphasized that time was of the essence. “Given Mr. Weightman’s age and the rugged nature of the search area, we are treating this as an urgent rescue mission,” one official said. “The terrain poses real dangers, including concealed drop-offs and overgrown pits, which could explain his last message to his family.”

Neighbors described Thomas Weightman as a kind, soft-spoken man with a love for the outdoors and a tendency to explore beyond paved paths. Although he was in generally good health, his family worried that disorientation, fatigue, or injury might have prevented him from finding his way back. Temperatures in the region during mid-October can fluctuate sharply between day and night, with chilly conditions that pose additional risks to someone stranded without shelter.

Local businesses and residents have also joined the effort by providing food, flashlights, and equipment to search crews. A local hardware store reportedly donated additional batteries and headlamps for volunteers working after dark. The sense of shared concern has united the community, turning what began as an isolated emergency into a collective mission to bring one of their own safely home.

The Mystery of the “Hole” and the Search Ahead

The most confounding detail in Thomas Weightman’s disappearance remains his phone call. The phrase “I fell into a hole” could suggest a literal drop into a ditch, culvert, or depression, but investigators have also considered the possibility of confusion caused by disorientation or medical distress. At 78, it is possible that fatigue, dehydration, or a sudden medical event could have impaired his judgment or mobility. Still, in an area known for its natural hazards, a physical fall cannot be ruled out.

The forests and farmlands surrounding Gales Creek contain several features that fit the vague description of a “hole.” Old irrigation pits, dry wells, and abandoned homestead foundations dot the area. In addition, sections of the terrain conceal sinkholes formed by underground water erosion, particularly near creek beds and slopes softened by autumn rain. Residents have reported past incidents in which animals or hikers inadvertently stepped into overgrown depressions hidden beneath foliage.

Search teams are methodically checking such hazards, using poles to probe dense brush and cameras to inspect culverts and narrow shafts. The operation has also expanded to nearby water sources, as authorities are exploring the possibility that Weightman might have slipped into a shallow creek or drainage channel while attempting to navigate uneven ground.

Experts familiar with Oregon’s wilderness searches note that similar cases have sometimes stretched for weeks before resolution. Survival chances often hinge on weather conditions, access to water, and the individual’s mobility. While October weather in western Oregon tends to be mild, the nights can turn cold, particularly in forested elevations where temperatures drop rapidly after sunset.

For investigators, the challenge lies not only in the vastness of the terrain but also in the unpredictable nature of such disappearances. Weightman’s final phone call provided a crucial but cryptic clue, yet without a clear location or further contact, searchers are forced to rely on systematic grid searches and community vigilance. “We’re checking every place where a person might become trapped, whether it’s a well, culvert, ravine, or abandoned structure,” a member of the SAR team told local reporters. “It’s a needle-in-a-haystack situation, but we’re not giving up.”

As of the latest updates, there have been no confirmed sightings of Thomas Weightman. Authorities have urged anyone living or traveling in the designated search perimeter to remain alert and report anything unusual, including torn clothing, footprints, or signs of recent disturbance in wooded areas. They have also encouraged residents with private security cameras to review footage from the afternoon of October 14, as even minor clues could narrow the search area.

Family members, meanwhile, have expressed hope that their loved one will be found alive. They described Weightman as resilient and resourceful, with years of experience navigating the outdoors. “We just want him home,” one relative said. “If anyone out there has any information, please speak up. Even the smallest detail could help.”

The disappearance has also reignited discussions about safety for elderly individuals who live independently or enjoy solitary outdoor activities. Local officials are reminding residents to carry GPS-enabled devices, emergency whistles, and portable phone chargers when walking in rural or wooded environments. Simple precautions, they emphasize, can mean the difference between a quick rescue and a prolonged search.

For now, the forests of Washington County remain under the watchful eyes of rescuers, volunteers, and concerned neighbors. Each passing hour underscores both the fragility of the situation and the determination of those searching for answers. The mystery surrounding Thomas Weightman — the elderly man who vanished after saying he’d fallen into a hole — continues to deepen, but the community’s resolve remains unshaken.

In a region where wilderness and civilization often coexist at a precarious boundary, Weightman’s disappearance serves as a solemn reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the human capacity for hope amid uncertainty. Whether trapped, lost, or waiting somewhere beyond the reach of cell signals, one truth unites everyone searching the woods of Gales Creek: until he is found, they will not stop looking.