Search for missing woman in Okmulgee County ends empty again

The search for 71-year-old Patretia Matthews, who has dementia, came up empty once more Wednesday night in Okmulgee County. A Silver Alert was issued on Sunday after the sheriff's office reported she drove off from Bristow on Friday.

Wednesday, August 13th 2025, 10:47 pm

By: MaKayla Glenn


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The search for 71-year-old Patretia Matthews, who has dementia, came up empty once more on Wednesday night in Okmulgee County. A Silver Alert was issued on Sunday after the sheriff's office reported she drove off from Bristow on Friday.

All Hands on Deck

News On 6’s MaKayla Glenn reports that the situation has seen an all-hands-on-deck response. Okmulgee County Emergency Management has been utilizing drones and thermal imaging technology over the last few days to aid in the search for Matthews.

Family and close friends have also joined the effort, hoping to bring her home safely.

Family Friend's Plea

Lori Jeffries, a close family friend, expressed her concerns and dedication to finding Patretia.

She stated, “We just can't imagine even healthy somebody being out here in the kind of weather that we've had, the heat.”

Jeffries emphasized the need for more resources, saying, “We were hoping that we could get a bigger group out here. It's really rough terrain, so we were hoping we could get some better equipment out here to help us.”

Challenges in the Search

Okmulgee County Emergency Management Director Jeff Moore explained the challenges faced during the search. Despite using advanced drone technology, the extreme heat has made it difficult. He noted that the trees, grass, and rocks absorb heat, complicating the search efforts.

On Wednesday, search teams focused on a marshy area where they detected a blue thermal image, as Patretia was last seen wearing blue. Unfortunately, the search in that area yielded no results.

Hope Remains

Despite the setbacks, teams remain hopeful. Moore stated, “If she’s still in this area and wasn’t picked up by someone, it’s been hot and she has medical issues, so we’re hoping that we find her alive... but we’re getting close.”

The family is holding onto hope while preparing for the worst.

Jeffries said, “You know she has to be feeling so lost, so we're just trying real hard to find her.”

Continuing the Search

Search crews will head back out Thursday morning to continue their efforts in locating Patretia Matthews.

If you have any information regarding her whereabouts, you are asked to contact the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office.

MaKayla Glenn

MaKayla Glenn is an Emmy-nominated journalist. She started with News On 6 in August 2022.

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