Last seen: October 1993
Thomas Ellerby, 58, a retired geologist and amateur prospector, disappeared while exploring a dry riverbed near his remote cabin outside of Strawberry, Arizona. Known locally as a quiet but sharp-minded man, Thomas had spent years exploring the rim country’s forgotten mines and natural formations.
On October 14, 1993, he failed to meet a friend in town for their regular Thursday breakfast. A welfare check later that afternoon found his cabin undisturbed. His truck was parked where it always was. A journal entry dated the previous morning read, “Checking the box canyon again might’ve missed something.”
Authorities traced Thomas’s likely path into a nearby ravine. A single boot print was discovered near a cluster of rocks, but no other trace was ever recovered. His tools, notebooks, and maps were left behind. Nothing appeared stolen or tampered with.
The area Thomas frequented was rugged and poorly mapped. Search teams scoured the terrain for days. No signs of a fall, animal attack, or struggle were evident. His prospecting partner, Bill Karner, told police Thomas had mentioned “hearing voices echo” in one of the nearby caves, but they chalked it up to wind.
In the years that followed, hikers occasionally reported odd echoes or brief glimpses of a man walking along the edges of the canyon. None of these sightings were confirmed. Locals have since dubbed the area “Ellerby’s Hollow.”
Some believe Thomas fell and his remains lie hidden beneath brush or rocks. Others insist he found something gold, an entrance, something he was not meant to. His disappearance remains one of the region’s quiet mysteries.
Though the official search ended in late October 1993, occasional private efforts have continued. Amateur explorers sometimes visit the ravine, following Ellerby’s last notes. The canyon remains publicly accessible but is considered dangerous due to unstable rock formations.
As of 2021, no evidence has surfaced to confirm what happened to Thomas Ellerby. His case is listed as cold but unresolved.
If you have any knowledge related to Thomas Ellerby’s disappearance, please contact the Gila County Sheriff’s Office. Tips may be submitted anonymously.
Page last updated: June 2021
Return to Home