Tulsa Detectives Revisit 1984 Addington Case
Authorities search for answers regarding Lisa Addington, who went missing in Tulsa over forty years ago.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Accidents
Tulsa County detectives are working with family members and a witness to investigate the disappearance of 22-year-old Lisa Addington, who was last seen on May 16, 1984. The investigation examines potential links to items discovered along the Arkansas River in 1998.
Why it matters
The case remains active as investigators attempt to determine if evidence found near the Arkansas River correlates with Addington's disappearance. High water levels have previously hindered efforts to search the specific area where the items were discovered.
Lisa Addington was 22 at the time of her 1984 disappearance and would be 64 years old in 2026. The investigation into the items discovered in 1998 is currently limited by environmental conditions at the site.
The players
Lisa Addington
She is the subject of a cold case investigation who went missing in Tulsa at age 22.
Tulsa County Sheriff's Office
This local law enforcement agency is currently handling the investigation into the missing person case.
Rick Davis
He is the witness who discovered human bones and personal items along the Arkansas River in 1998.
The details
Rick Davis discovered human bones, a firearm, shoes, and clothing near the river in 1998 and later identified similarities to Addington's belongings online. While family members recently visited the site with detectives, investigators have been unable to conduct a full search due to water levels.
Timeline
Lisa Addington was last seen on May 16, 1984.
Bones and other items were discovered by Rick Davis in 1998.
A progression photograph of Addington was produced in 2010.
Addington would be 64 years old in October 2026.
Legal Context
The case is registered in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, which serves as a central repository for tracking long-term cold cases. This investigation follows a pattern where witnesses provide new leads decades later, often requiring modern forensic reassessment.
The investigation highlights ongoing efforts to resolve long-standing cold cases in the Tulsa area. Residents with information regarding the 1984 disappearance or the 1998 discovery near the Arkansas River are encouraged to assist local authorities.
The takeaway
Advancements in digital information sharing allow private citizens to help bridge gaps in cold cases years after the initial events occurred. Families seeking closure often rely on these collaborative efforts with local detectives to move investigations forward.
Further reading
Learn more about local investigations in the Tulsa accidents section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News On 6.
