The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) is continuing its search for a Rochester man who was reported missing by his wife on March 9.
Stephen “Shane” Barton, 54, left behind his phone, wallet and vehicle, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. After he was reported missing, deputies searched his home in the 7600 block of Scatterview Lane Southwest, outbuildings and surrounding property but found no sign of Barton. The Washington State Patrol aviation division flew over the property but found no heat signatures that could be attributed to Barton, according to the sheriff’s office.
On March 11, the sheriff’s office completed a nine-hour search of the property with 30 people and five dogs. Three days later, on March 14, detectives returned to the property to search buildings and surrounding property. A dive team searched ponds on the property to no avail, according to the sheriff’s office. On April 2, the property was again searched, this time with six “human remains detection dogs” over the course of seven hours.
“Shane’s wife has provided TCSO detectives with Shane’s phone and other digital devices,” the sheriff’s office stated in the release. “She has allowed our detectives to process her phone and adult son’s phone for any useful information. Search warrants have been obtained for phone records and other technology.”
Barton’s wife voluntarily took a polygraph test on April 10 that showed “she was not being deceptive,” according to the sheriff’s office.
“All of Shane’s neighbors have been contacted and detectives have interviewed friends and family from all over Western Washington.” according to the sheriff’s office. “Locations frequented by Shane have also been checked. Despite these efforts, Shane has not been located. It is unclear whether he left home on his own or if foul play is a factor.”
The sheriff’s office is asking the public for assistance in the case. Anyone with information can contact the sheriff’s office at detectives@co.thurston.wa.us or Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
