The disappearance of Thomas James Booth II, known as Tommy to friends and family, marks a disturbing unsolved case that began on January 19, 2008. That evening, the 24-year-old master drywaller from Wilmington, Delaware traveled with eight friends to Bootleggers Bar in Woodland, Pennsylvania, approximately 16 miles northeast of his hometown. Security footage captured the group's arrival just before 11:00 PM, but Tommy would never return home from this night out.

Tommy was beloved by his family, described by his mother Barbara McKay as "the glue that held their family together." Despite being a skilled tradesman who excelled at his profession, Tommy faced personal challenges, including epilepsy which required medication and prevented him from driving. This medical condition explains why he rode as a passenger in one of three vehicles that traveled to Bootleggers that night—a bar located in an area that receives only a D+ safety rating from crime assessment organizations.

Key Takeaways

Tommy Booth disappeared after visiting Bootleggers Bar in Woodland, Pennsylvania with eight friends on January 19, 2008.
Security footage captured Tommy entering the establishment, but conflicting accounts exist about what happened after a reported altercation outside the bar.
Tommy's epilepsy prevented him from driving, making him dependent on friends for transportation on the night he vanished.

Profile of Thomas James Booth II

Personal History

Thomas James Booth II, affectionately known as Tommy to friends and family, resided in Wilmington, Delaware. As a master drywaller, he found genuine fulfillment in his profession, demonstrating exceptional skill in his craft. His mother Barbara McKay and stepfather Ted Bush described him as respectful and kind-hearted. Tommy maintained close family connections, particularly with his mother, and served as the essential bond that unified their family unit.

Tommy's career as a drywaller provided him with stable income and professional satisfaction. His expertise in drywall installation and finishing earned him recognition within his field. Despite facing certain health challenges, he maintained a positive outlook and enjoyed socializing with his friend group, which consisted of both male and female companions from the Wilmington area.

Medical Condition and Daily Obstacles

Tommy lived with epilepsy, a neurological disorder that significantly impacted his daily life. His condition required management through multiple medications, including Xanax and other prescribed treatments. Due to safety concerns related to his epilepsy, Tommy was unable to drive, making him dependent on others for transportation.

This transportation limitation meant Tommy relied on friends when socializing outside his home. On January 19, 2008, when Tommy and eight friends traveled to Bootleggers Bar in Woodland, Pennsylvania (approximately 16 miles northeast of Wilmington), he rode as a passenger in one of three vehicles making the journey. The group arrived at the establishment shortly before 11:00 PM, with their entrance captured by the bar's security camera system.

Tommy's epilepsy management required consistent medication adherence and awareness of potential triggers. Despite these challenges, he maintained an active social life while taking necessary precautions to manage his condition.

The Night That Changed Everything

Visit to the Local Tavern

On January 19, 2008, Tommy Booth and eight friends traveled from their hometown of Wilmington, Delaware to a local establishment in Woodland, Pennsylvania. The group arrived at the venue shortly before 11:00 PM, with security cameras capturing their entrance. Tommy, a skilled drywaller who loved his job, was unable to drive due to his epilepsy condition, for which he took medication including Xanax.

At the time, Woodland wasn't known for its safety, receiving only a D+ crime rating from Crime Grade.org. Despite this being one of the relatively safer neighborhoods in the area, it still presented potential risks to visitors. The establishment was located in an area that would later become repurposed for other businesses.

Party Members and Travel Details

The group consisted of nine individuals in total - seven men and two women, all traveling in three separate vehicles:

Car 1:

Driver (22-year-old male)
Three passengers including a couple (two 24-year-old males and a 21-year-old female)

Car 2:

Driver (23-year-old male)
Two passengers (21-year-old female and 24-year-old male)

Car 3:

Driver (age unspecified)
Tommy Booth (passenger)

Around 1:25 AM, some kind of altercation reportedly occurred outside the establishment. This disturbance may have been connected to members of the group being asked to leave for smoking marijuana, though the exact circumstances remain unclear. Approximately 15 minutes after this incident, Tommy's designated driver claims to have searched for him inside but couldn't locate him.

By 2:00 AM, Tommy's whereabouts had become uncertain. His driver later gave conflicting accounts, suggesting either that Tommy had departed with other group members or that he had met someone and left with them.

Security Footage and Final Sighting

Video Surveillance at Entrance

Security camera footage confirms that Tommy Booth and his eight friends arrived at Bootleggers Bar in Woodland, Pennsylvania just before 11:00 PM on January 19, 2008. The CCTV system mounted above and to the right of the establishment's door captured the entire group entering the premises. This footage serves as the last confirmed visual evidence of Tommy before his disappearance. The group consisted of nine individuals traveling in three separate vehicles from their hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, located approximately 16 miles southwest of Woodland.

Identification of Bar Entry Group

The individuals who entered Bootleggers Bar with Tommy comprised six men and two women. They traveled in three separate vehicles with specific seating arrangements. The first car contained four people, including a 22-year-old male driver accompanied by three passengers. The second vehicle held three individuals, while the third car transported only Tommy and the driver. The location itself, now a GoPuff facility, is situated in an area that receives a D+ safety rating from Crime Grade, although this surprisingly represents one of the safer neighborhoods in the vicinity. Around 1:15 AM, some members of the group reportedly came outside the establishment due to an altercation, potentially related to marijuana use on the premises.

Events Surrounding the Disappearance

The timeline and circumstances of Thomas "Tommy" Booth's disappearance present several inconsistencies and concerning details that require careful examination.

The Reported Confrontation and Its Timing

On January 19, 2008, Tommy Booth and eight friends traveled from Wilmington, Delaware to Bootleggers Bar in Woodland, Pennsylvania. The group arrived shortly before 11:00 PM, with Tommy riding as a passenger due to his epilepsy condition, which prevented him from driving. Security footage captured all nine individuals entering the establishment that evening.

Around 1:25 AM, a disturbance reportedly occurred outside the bar. This altercation may have been connected to some members of the group being asked to leave for smoking marijuana on the premises, though alternative explanations exist. The location of this incident—a neighborhood rated D+ for safety by crime monitoring services—adds a concerning element to the events that transpired.

Conflicting Narratives About Tommy's Disappearance

The accounts of what happened to Tommy after the altercation contain troubling discrepancies. According to Tommy's designated driver, he returned inside the bar approximately 15 minutes after the confrontation and searched for Tommy without success. By 2:00 AM, Tommy could not be located.

Two contradictory explanations emerged from this same individual:

Version 1: Tommy had presumably left with other members of their group
Version 2: Tommy had met a woman and gone home with her

The group composition that evening consisted of:

Vehicle Occupants Car 1 Driver (22M), Passenger 1.2 (24M), Passenger 1.3 (24M), Passenger 1.4 (21F) Car 2 Driver (23M), Passenger 2.2 (21F), Passenger 2.3 (24M) Car 3 Driver, Tommy Booth

This contradictory information about Tommy's whereabouts raises significant questions about the circumstances of his disappearance and the thoroughness of initial inquiries.

Setting and Location Assessment

Crime Landscape in Woodland, Pennsylvania

Woodland, Pennsylvania received a D+ safety rating from crime grade.org, indicating significant security concerns in the area. Surprisingly, despite this low score, it ranks as one of the safer neighborhoods within its broader region. This context is crucial when considering the location of Bootleggers Bar, where Tommy Booth was last seen on January 19, 2008. The bar, now defunct and converted into a gopuff facility, sat in this moderate-risk area, featuring double doors and exterior security cameras that captured patrons entering and exiting the establishment.

Pennsylvania's Township Structure

Pennsylvania employs a unique governmental organization with townships serving as an intermediate layer between county and town governance. These townships function as administrative units that often encompass multiple towns, handling essential services like waste management and tax collection. Towns frequently cross township boundaries, creating situations where residents living on opposite sides of the same town might pay taxes to different townships and attend different school districts. Some communities like Phoenixville operate as independent boroughs, functioning autonomously without township affiliation, simply residing within their respective counties. This complex structure differs significantly from the municipal organization found in many other states.

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