Teen believed missing under ‘suspicious circumstances’ found safe after extensive search

THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — At 10 p.m. Thursday, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office announced that 16-year-old Gabriel Davies was found safe and was returned to his family.

Davies was found in the 13600 block of Tilley Road South, which is where his truck was found the day he was reported missing.

Law enforcement said late Thursday night that no additional comments regarding the incident would be made and asked that the family’s privacy be honored.

On Wednesday night, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office said it was looking for the teen who was reported missing under “suspicious circumstances.”

Deputies looked for Davies, whom they said left his Olympia home at 4 p.m. to attend football practice at Olympia High School but never arrived.

His vehicle was found abandoned with blood inside and his cellphone smashed on the ground near Tenino.

Deputies had announced Thursday that the teen had been seen alone walking northbound near the 15000 block of Tilley Road South around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Lt. Cameron Simper with the sheriff’s office had said, “The info we have thus far is that he drove to this location on his own and he walked from the vehicle on his own.”

Davies’ family said what had happened was out of character for Gabriel.

Deputies believed the circumstances around his disappearance were suspicious, which prompted an extensive search.

“We have to look at the behavior of an individual,” Simper had said. “The pattern of behavior and this is uncharacteristic of Gabriel. We’re not going to push this aside as a runaway. That’s why we’re taking it seriously and will explore every tip and avenue to make sure that we bring Gabriel home safely.”

Authorities had asked anyone who had seen Davies to call the authorities.

His immediate disappearance also brought back memories of two other young men who went missing in that area of Thurston County in the past six years.

Logan Schiendelman disappeared in 2016 on Interstate 5 near the Scattercreek Rest Area and Matthew Anfeldt disappeared in 2019 near the Speedway Grocery on Old Highway 99 Southwest.

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