Thompkins was working in a wooded area near County Line Road off of Warm Springs Road in Harris County, Georgia on January 25, 2002. He was accompanied by three co-workers, all of whom worked approximately 50 feet from one another. One of the employees looked away from Thompkins for a moment; by the time he glanced at his area again, Thompkins had disappeared. One of his boots was located, as was a piece of blue fiber on a nearby barb wire fence. Twelve cents was discovered near Thompkins' tools. Thompkins's other boot was located in July 2002.