Rochester Police Confirm Death of Missing Man Stephen “Shane” Barton: Community Seeks Answers

In a heartbreaking development, the Rochester Police Department has confirmed that Stephen Barton “Shane”, a 56-year-old father reported missing in March 2023, has been found dead. Barton, who was last seen on March 8, 2023, was discovered this week following the completion of forensic examinations. The case, which has deeply affected the Rochester community, remains under investigation as authorities seek to understand the circumstances surrounding his death.

Shane Barton was reported missing on March 9, 2023, after he failed to show up the next morning following his routine farewell to his family the previous night. According to reports, Barton had spent the evening with his family and was last seen around 8:30 p.m. as he headed to an RV on their property to sleep. His daughter had waved him off from the window, and this was the last known sighting of him.

The morning after, Barton’s wife noticed that he had not come out of the RV as usual. She went about her day, taking the kids to school and running errands. When she returned home and checked the RV around 11:30 a.m., she found that Barton’s coffee was still on the counter with ice floating in it, suggesting it had been made recently. Alarmingly, Barton’s wallet, phone, Apple Watch, and a personal weapon he always carried were all found inside the RV, but he was nowhere to be found.

Despite extensive ground and air searches conducted by rescue teams, Barton remained missing. The mystery deepened as search crews found no trace of him. Descriptions of Barton highlight him as a Caucasian man, approximately five feet eight inches tall, with short brown hair and brown eyes, often seen wearing a baseball cap.

The Rochester community, still reeling from the news, is being asked to contribute any information that could aid in solving this case. The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and is appealing to anyone who might have seen anything unusual or has any information about Barton’s whereabouts to come forward.

Barton’s wife has specifically requested that residents living near Little Rock Road, Sargent Road, 183rd Avenue, and Case Road thoroughly check their properties for any clues. The search for answers continues as authorities work to piece together the circumstances surrounding Barton’s tragic death.

Anyone with information related to Stephen “Shane” Barton’s case is urged to contact the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. The community remains hopeful for closure and justice for Barton and his family during this difficult time.