ANTIOCH, IL — The parents of a 24-year-old man who walked away from a crash on Interstate 94 in Libertyville believe their son suffered a severe head injury that has led to him not returning home.
During a news conference Friday, family members spoke about Thomas “Tommy” Howe, who was reported missing on Jan. 22, and announced a $10,000 reward would be offered for information that leads to his safe return home.
His father, Tom Howe, described his son as a selfless person who never wanted to exclude anyone and was very humble. His mother, Mary Margaret Howe, said walking away from the two-vehicle collision, and not contacting anyone since, was completely out of character for Tommy.
Matthew DeMartini, a spokesperson for the family, said Tommy was headed from his apartment in Chicago to join his family for lunch on the day of the crash. He called his family to let them know he was going to stop at Target to pick up presents for a friend’s birthday party he planned to attend later.
“Tommy had plans. He was living his life and was going to spend the day with family and friends he loved the most. He has no red flags in his life. … That’s why are we only left with speculation and guesses as to why he walked away,” DeMartini said. “Someone somewhere has to know anything.”
Tommy graduated recently magna cum laude with a degree in chemical engineering, according to his family.
“He’s about as successful as a 24-year-old could be,” DeMartini said.
Mary Margaret Howe said her son’s bond was strong with his family and friends, and that he had a bright future. His family believes a head injury led to him walking away and not contacting anyone, and they pray he’s been “seeking food and shelter over the past 20 days.”
“Tommy, if you see this and if you are confused, please know and remember how deep our love is for you and the strong bond our family has,” she said during the news conference. “Please call us if you can. I know you would call us if you can. If you can’t, if you can’t remember, please call any local authorities. Police station, fire station, anyone is graciously waiting and wiling to help bring you home to us.”
An investigation indicated Howe did not experience any physical trauma, but a head injury can’t be ruled out, police said Friday. Authorities have followed up on more than 200 leads so far, including sightings of Tommy across the country.
“We need to spread the word further,” DiMartini said.
Since Howe’s disappearance, hundreds of volunteers and members of law enforcement have participated in coordinated searches, according to a news release from the Antioch Police Department. Howe’s work cell phone was discovered in the Old School Forest Preserve in Mettawa two days after his disappearance.
There have been several searches at the forest preserve, but nothing else related to his disappearance has been found since. The family has set up a Facebook page where tips can be left and updates will be posted. There’s also a tip line, 224-788-4409, and a tip email, tips@antioch.IL.gov.
“It just takes one solid lead to get Tommy back home to his family,” police said Friday.
Howe was last seen traveling on foot while wearing a gray North Face jacket and jeans. He is described as a white man who is 5 feet, 8 inches tall, with brown eyes and brown hair.