Sheriff Kevin W. Windham reports the recovery of Thomas Thorton, 73, of Woodville, TX. Mr. Thorton was first reported missing from the Woodville area in March of 2021.

Deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) responded to Harvey’s Landing in Huxley Sunday, October 24, 2021 at approximately 10:30 a.m. after SCSO Telecommunications received a call that a body was located underwater in a vehicle.

Adventures with a Purpose (AWP) is a non-profit dive team who assists families with locating missing family members. AWP had been working with the Thorton family and had recently learned that Thorton’s last cell phone ping was in the area of the Huxley Bay Marina. Divers with AWP entered the water Sunday afternoon and were able to locate Thorton inside of his vehicle underwater approximately 30 feet from the boat ramp. Pursuant to an investigation, the body was sent to Texas Forensic for autopsy.

The SCSO would like to extend a sincere thank you to AWP for the work that they do. This team operates solely on donations to bring peace and closure to families who are desperately searching for answers to find their missing loved ones. This is not an easy task.

The SCSO appreciates the assistance of Tyler County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Huxley VFD.

We are very grateful the Thorton family will now have closure after this discovery. We will continue to keep them in our prayers.