Authorities in Okmulgee County searching for woman after Silver Alert issued

Search and rescue crews are in Okmulgee County looking for a woman after a Silver Alert was issued for her.

Deputies found 71-year-old Patretia Mathews’ car in a rural area this weekend.

She was last seen in Bristow on Friday.

CREWS SEARCHING

Investigators believe Mathews left the Bristow area on Friday and drove to a rural area near Beggs.

Okmulgee County Emergency Management and several other agencies from across the state have been looking for her.

“We’re all being careful in there as well,” said Jeff Moore, the Okmulgee County Emergency Management Director. “Just trying to find her as quick as we can. No matter what, we’re not giving up our searches, we’re continuing.”

Moore says there is no reason right now to believe something criminal happened.

“She left her cell phone in Bristow,” said Moore. “Obviously, we can ping a cell phone. Out here, it’s kind of hard because there’s not much cell reception, but we can ping a cell phone. She did not have that, her purse is not in the car, there’s no keys in the car.”

Moore says Mathews does have ties to this area and used to live here.

“She said she was going to look for a new house,” said Moore. “That’s what we were told by the family. We think she was coming down to the area, got confused, got lost.”

He says the search has been challenging, as crews are having to work in the woods and in the heat, but they won’t give up until they find her.

“Those dogs can get in areas that we can’t,” said Moore. “We’re facing the weather. It’s 95 degrees with a 98% heat index, so the dogs can work about 20 minutes, as thick as it is. Our guys are exhausted, but they’re continuing to push through working through this heat.”

HOW TO HELP

Authorities are asking people to stay away from this area and allow crews to do their jobs.

If you have seen Mathews near the area of Jones and Webster Roads in Okmulgee County, you are asked to call the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office.

That number is 918-759-2235.