Thomason had a complicated past. He’d served in WWII and Korea (lying about his age to enlist), had a violent first marriage (he shot his wife’s lover but wasn’t charged), and had several subsequent marriages and divorces. He’d also had run-ins with the law over disputes with tenants at his trailer park. Before disappearing, his children noticed he was becoming unkempt and his house was dirty, a change from his usual neatness. He also told them he suspected Crawford was poisoning him.

Crawford gave inconsistent stories about Thomason’s whereabouts after his disappearance, claiming at various times that he faked his death and was in Mexico, that he was dying of AIDS (without providing proof), and even that he’d left a boat for one of his sons.

Suspicious, his daughter reported him missing in June 1992. Crawford provided letters supposedly from Thomason from Oklahoma, but investigations later showed the signature was traced. Furthermore, Thomason’s house was transferred to Crawford’s name, and his pension was redirected to an account only she and her daughter could access. Crawford’s own statements were contradictory; she told different people conflicting stories about Thomason’s fate, including that he was murdered and dismembered.

Though the police suspected foul play and Crawford’s involvement in collecting his pension (over $25,000), they lacked enough evidence to press charges. While Crawford insists Thomason left willingly, his family and law enforcement believe he was murdered. He has been declared legally dead, but the case remains unsolved.