BELLEVILLE, ONTARIO — In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the search for 88-year-old Thomas Dodd, affectionately known to his loved ones as “Papa Tom,” has come to a devastating end. After going missing on June 5, 2025, the beloved grandfather was located deceased on June 16, deep in the wilderness north of Belleville, Ontario — tragically just beyond the place where his truck was previously discovered.
Tom’s disappearance prompted a massive search effort that spanned nearly two weeks and united an entire community in hope and prayer. Led by police, detectives, emergency response teams, and search-and-rescue units — with tireless support from family, volunteers, and the general public — the operation to bring Tom home was filled with urgency and emotion.
But fate had a different plan.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I share the news — Thomas Dodd (Papa Tom to myself) is no longer with us,” a family member wrote in a grief-stricken update. “Tom was finally located north of where his truck was found. Unfortunately, it was too late, and Tom had already left this earth.”
A Wrong Turn Into the Wilderness
According to the family’s heartbreaking account, Tom took a wrong turn while trying to drive home. He unknowingly ended up on an isolated ATV trail deep in the forest, where his truck became lodged and immobilized. Alone, elderly, and far from help, Tom tried desperately to find his way out.
“He tried very hard to get out of the bush, to find help, and to get home. But he succumbed to the elements,” the family shared. “We are absolutely devastated and at a loss for words.”
Despite his age, Tom was known as a gentle, strong-willed man who loved his family deeply. He was a pillar of strength, remembered for his warm smile, storytelling, and unshakable dedication to those he cared about.
His final journey was one of immense courage — a quiet fight for survival against nature’s unforgiving conditions.
A Community That Came Together, Only to Grieve Together
The search for Tom captured hearts across Ontario and beyond. Thousands shared missing persons alerts, offered support, and participated in local ground searches. The widespread attention and community action showcased how deeply Tom’s story resonated with strangers, friends, and neighbors alike.
Members of the “Whereabouts Unknown” team, who helped coordinate awareness for Tom’s disappearance, issued a statement expressing their sorrow:
“We are devastated by this outcome. Our deepest condolences go out to Tom’s family, friends, and the community that rallied behind him. We hoped for a miracle. Instead, we mourn a tragic loss.”
Questions That Remain — And a Family’s Quiet Strength
As the grieving family begins to process this unimaginable loss, questions remain. How did an elderly man slip through the cracks unnoticed for days? Was there more that could have been done sooner? And most importantly — how do we, as a society, better protect our seniors?
Tom’s family has not directed anger toward any agency, instead focusing their energy on honoring his memory and thanking those who supported the search. But the pain lingers, and the silence left by Tom’s absence is deafening.
“He was our Papa Tom,” one family member wrote. “We just wanted him home.”
A Final Goodbye
Though Thomas Dodd’s life ended in solitude, his memory now echoes in the hearts of a community that won’t forget his story. His family asks for privacy as they mourn, but also offers profound thanks to every single person who kept hope alive, shared a post, or whispered a prayer.
As the sun sets over Belleville tonight, the wind through the trees carries the heavy truth: one wrong turn took a beautiful soul too soon. But the love that Tom gave — and received — remains indelible.
Rest in peace, Papa Tom. You are home now. 🕊️💔
