OKMULGEE COUNTY, Okla. — UPDATE (8/13/25) — The Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Office shared an update on the search for a missing 71-year-old woman.

Deputies are continuing the search for Patretia Mathews after her silver 2018 Subaru Outback was found abandoned near Webster Road and Jones Road in rural Okmulgee County.

OCSO is working with Okmulgee County Emergency Management and Muscogee Nation Emergency Management, who have searched the area with drones, as well as grid searching with professional volunteer services.

The drone searches have included thermal imaging with negative results.

Investigators interviewed multiple people in the area and identified a man who found Mathews with her stranded vehicle. OCSO said the man gave Mathews fuel for her vehicle and Mathews left the area driving east in the Dentonville Road and Herrick Road area on Friday around 9 p.m. This is the last documented person to see Mathews before her vehicle was located on Sunday.

OCSO said it is possible others may have seen or talked to her in the time period before her car was abandoned.

Investigators believe reported sightings in Tulsa and other areas are not connected to his investigation.

A search of local hospitals has also been conducted, with negative results.

OCSO is asking the public to report any encounters or possible sightings of Mathews between Friday and Sunday morning.

Investigators are currently creating a map of cleared areas, which will be used in further search efforts.

Okmulgee County Emergency Management said the family is in the area on Wednesday searching along with volunteers. OCEM said they are aware of the dangers with wildlife in the area and have been told to not trespass on anyone’s property without permission.

OCEM shared the following statement in part on Facebook:

“We are still hopeful for a positive outcome and Director Moore along with Sheriff Rice encourages anyone with any information or who may of encountered Mrs. Matthews since Friday evening to contact the Okmulgee County Sheriffs Office.”

(8/11/2025) Okmulgee County, Okla. - Deputies in Okmulgee County are asking the community to keep an eye out for a missing woman.

Authorities say Patretia Mathews was last seen in Bristow on Friday wearing a blue shirt and blue shorts. The sheriff’s office says Matthews also struggles with dementia.

Mathews is described as having blue eyes, is 5′ 4″ tall, and weighs 245 pounds.

Authorities say they are actively searching in the area of Jones and Webster Roads and are asking people not to start their own searches, as it can distract the dogs searching for her and slow the response.

If you see Mathews, call the sheriff’s office at 918-759-2235.