LOCAL MYSTERY: Stephan Adams' disappearance 20 years later

Friday marks 20 years since Northeastern State University student Stephan Adams was last seen or heard from, and District 27 District Attorney Jack Thorp say it's a case that's a priority for him.

Stephan Adams, who was 26 years old on Dec. 13, 2004, finished taking his finals at NSU. He told his girlfriend he was taking an unidentified man to the Keys area and planned to drive to his mother’s house in Webbers Fall before heading on to his job in Muskogee.

According to reports, someone tried calling Adams' phone at 11:30 a.m., it rang once before going to voicemail. After that, all calls went straight to voicemail.

Adams was reported missing the next day by his girlfriend. Witnesses reportedly saw him alone at a store in the Cookson area before he drove away toward Keys on State Highway 82.

Witnesses said they saw a suspicious man hanging out around the parking lot of Adams’ apartment building on East Downing Street the morning he disappeared. Another witness told investigators about a suspicious individual in the NSU parking lot where Adams' white GMC truck was parked.

In 2012, Adams was presumed a homicide victim by a grand jury. Investigators believe his body is somewhere in eastern Oklahoma.

According to reports, those close to the case believe the primary motive for the murder was related to two-molestation charges filed against Adams by his ex-wife. Adams was acquitted of any wrongdoing and all charges were dismissed.

Thorp has said he doesn't believe those allegations as they've investigated the matter and brought in individuals related to the case. He said he believes that was part of the motive.

Adams was also in a contentious custody battle with his ex-wife at the time of his disappearance. Thorp said Adams was slated to appear in court to get supervised visitation or to work on unsupervised visitation a week after he disappeared.

In 2014, ground penetrating radar was deployed on two acres near Horseshoe Bend Road after investigators received information, but there was no indication that Adams was buried on the land.

In 2021, investigators said there are "persons of interest" in the case, but no corroborating evidence.

While there have been no arrests nor the recovery of Adams’ body in the last 20 years, Thorp said his case is a priority in District 27.

"We are always soliciting tips and we follow up every one we receive. I will not rest until we find Stephan and bring his killer(s) to justice," Thorp said.

Anyone with information on the case can call or email the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation at 800-522-8017, or tips@osbi.ok.gov.

Tips can be directly sent to the DA at coldcasetips@da27.org or call 918-772-7568.