After body of missing Lodi man found near river, family awaits more information
Nov. 1—The body of a Lodi man who had been missing for four weeks was found near the Mokelumne River last week.
Keith Thompson said little information was known about how his 28-year-old son Trevor was located at the river on Oct. 23, but he and his wife Patricia were expecting details sometime this week.
He said the family learned Trevor's body had been found when someone called inquiring about law enforcement officials investigating near the river last week.
The Thompsons began making calls to find out if the body was indeed Trevor.
"There's a potential for foul play, an assault, all kinds of that stuff," Keith Thompson said.
Trevor Thompson was last seen on Sept. 22, when his father left the house for work that morning.
Patricia Thompson received a text from Trevor at 6:30 p.m. that night. That was the last communication the family received from him.
His truck had been found at Gravity Church, and Keith Thompson said Trevor's cell phone was found inside.
"He was very shy, but just a sweet person who would have given his shirt off his back to anyone," Keith Thompson said. "He was not selfish at all."
He added that Trevor was very close with his mother and loved his dog Charlie. He also cooked dinner for the family every night, and helped his grandparents with things around the house.
"We're just very appreciative of so many people, friends and family," he said. "They spent 30 days trying to help us find him."
Keith Thompson said he was also appreciative of the Lodi Police Department, specifically Officer Jerry Barr, who was able to figure out Trevor's last know location.
"(Trevor) was very talented and smart," Keith Thompson said. "He was very important to us. He will be missed."
The Thompsons will be setting up a donation system in Trevor's name at the One-Eighty Teen Center in the coming weeks.
Trevor Thompson was the second person this year to go missing from Lodi, whose body was found in or near a body of water.
Jacob VanZant, 24, was last seen Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. as he was leaving Shangri La Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar on School Street. He routinely ate at the Downtown Lodi eatery on Fridays before picking his girlfriend up from work on Hammer Lane in Stockton.
That night, he apparently lost his wallet and was unable to pay for his meal. His family said he told Shangri La employees he would find his wallet and return to pay.
On April 15, Adventures With Purpose, a private rescue and recovery company based in Utah, found Van Zant's body inside his white Honda Pilot, which had been driven into the water at the western end of Eight Mile Road.
