Thomas Jay Acosta was 27 when he was reported missing from West Plains, Missouri, after last being seen at about 3:00 p.m. on May 9, 2022. He was described as a white man with blue eyes, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and roughly 150 pounds; his hair color was listed as unknown. The West Plains Police Department handled the investigation; members of the public were asked to contact that department with information about Thomas, Garrett Lindle Tarlton, or Tommy Lee Wilson at 417-256-2244.

Local reporting later placed Acosta’s disappearance among a cluster of unresolved missing-person cases in Howell County, noting several people went missing in or after 2020.

If anyone in West Plains remembers seeing Thomas on or around May 9, 2022, or has information that could help investigators, please contact the West Plains Police Department.