Centre County man still missing after a month. State police share some details about search
A Centre County man reported missing about a month ago has not been found, though a state police at Rockview spokesman said Wednesday that troopers are still searching for him and asking the public for help.
Leon Bowman, 77, of Curtin Township, was last seen about 2 p.m. Dec. 23 near his mailbox along Bowman Camp Road. He is believed to be at “special risk of harm or injury, or may be confused,” according to an advisory issued Christmas Eve.
It is not known if Bowman is alive, state police at Rockview spokesman Jacob Rhymestine wrote in an email to the Centre Daily Times. He also said it’s unknown if there are indications of foul play or if Bowman’s disappearance is otherwise believed to be suspicious.
Rhymestine did not provide a direct answer when asked if there are any known personal, professional or financial issues that may offer context to Bowman’s disappearance. He only said the investigation is ongoing.
The probe has included interviews with neighbors and reviews of surveillance footage. Searches with drones, helicopters and K-9s have also been completed, Rhymestine said.
Howard Fire Co. Captain Tyler Penland told the CDT earlier this month that volunteer firefighters were dispatched about 9:30 a.m. on Christmas to assist with the search. More than 20 people from the fire company were joined by a handful of community members.
“It weighs on everybody when you don’t find somebody,” Penland said. “It weighs on the family the most because you don’t get an exact answer of what happened.”
Days after he was reported missing, troopers asked residences along Howard Divide and Marsh Creek roads to look in their outbuildings, garages and sheds for any sign of Bowman. They also asked neighboring landowners to check their properties.
Nothing came of the request, but Rhymestine said Wednesday that troopers are still actively asking people in the area to check their property and call with any potential leads.
Bowman is listed about 6-foot, 110 pounds. He has brown eyes and is balding with a white beard. State police can be reached at 814-355-7545 or by calling 911.
