Patti Adkins, a 29-year-old woman, had made plans to go on vacation with her boyfriend. However, nobody has heard from her since she left. Her boyfriend denies going on any trip with Patti and says they were just friends.

Patti’s disappearance presents a perplexing mystery, as concrete clues about her location remain elusive. Despite the presence of tracks, time stamps, and witnesses who recall seeing her, the trail grows cold thereafter. This peculiar tale takes an even more unsettling turn considering that Patti was also a devoted mother to a 7-year-old child.

Patti adkins with her daughter

Who was Patti Adkins, and what happened to her?

Patti Adkins, a 29-year-old woman, dedicated ten years of her life to working at a Honda factory in Marysville, where she had risen to the position of Supervisor on the Assembly line. Alongside her professional pursuits, Patti was also a loving mother to her 7-year-old daughter.

Patti adkins

In early July, during the factory’s designated “shutdown week,” all employees were granted a well-deserved vacation. Patti had plans to utilize this time off alongside her supposed boyfriend, Brian Flowers. Although Patti’s family was aware of the relationship, their main concern revolved around the fact that Brian Flowers was already married.

Nevertheless, Patti had reassured her family, sharing that Brian Flowers intended to pursue a divorce from his current spouse. Interestingly, Brian Flowers was also employed at the Honda factory, albeit in a different department. Their romantic involvement had spanned over a year.

On her final day of work, before the vacation period commenced, Patti stuck to her usual routine of clocking out. From there, she departed with Brian Flowers, but she never returned when she was expected to pick up her daughter.

The circumstances surrounding Patti Adkins’ sudden disappearance raise numerous questions and amplify concerns about her well-being and safety. The mystery deepens as her family and loved ones eagerly await answers to the crucial question: What could have happened to Patti after she embarked on her vacation plans with Brian Flowers?

Patti Adkins’ disappearance

Patti Adkins had eagerly anticipated a vacation to Canada alongside her boyfriend, Brian Flowers, during the week-long factory shutdown. Prior arrangements were made for her ex-partner and her sister, Marcia, to take care of her 7-year-old daughter while she was away.

In a message left on Marcia’s phone, Patti explained her plans for her daughter to divide the vacation time between her ex-partner’s and Marcia’s home. Patti mentioned that she would pick up her daughter on July 8th and cautioned Marcia about potential communication challenges due to limited cell service, but she assured her that she would stay in touch whenever possible.

According to both records and Marcia’s statement to the police, Patti left work at midnight. She intended to begin their journey in the back of Brian’s truck, concealed under a cover he had brought to avoid being seen by colleagues and friends from the factory. Brian specifically requested that Patti refrain from bringing any luggage, as he promised to purchase new clothes for her once they reached their destination.

As the week passed, Patti’s absence went unnoticed, as expected. However, on the designated day for her to collect her daughter, there was still no word from Patti. Growing concerned, Marcia attempted to reach her sister but received no response. She then contacted Brian, only to discover that he had returned without any knowledge of the planned trip and claimed to know Patti solely as a colleague.

Alarmed by Brian’s denial of the intended vacation, Marcia took matters into her own hands and promptly reported the situation to the police. Investigators questioned Brian Flowers, who vehemently denied any knowledge of the trip once again. His wife also confirmed that it was impossible for her husband to be engaged in an affair.

During a search of Brian’s residence, the authorities uncovered a birthday card signed solely by Patti, which he dismissed as a card from his colleagues. Additionally, they discovered a phone in his possession. When questioned about it, Brian refuted any connection to Patti, but Marcia affirmed that Patti had indeed purchased the phone for Brian. Furthermore, a t-shirt found at the house, according to Marcia, was one that Patti had bought for Brian during their joint trip to Florida.

Brian Flowers, Patti Adkins’ boyfriend

Despite the police’s possession of evidence indicating Patti’s communication with Brian, his wife provided a statement asserting that he was at home by 2:30 am after a brief stop at Burger King with his friends. This conflicting alibi introduced further complexity to the investigation.

Moreover, Patti’s sister, Marcia, disclosed to the police that Patti had been providing financial support to her boyfriend. Over the course of almost a year, Patti had reportedly loaned Brian Flowers approximately $90,000. The motive behind these financial transactions, as Marcia explained, was Brian’s desire to buy out his share of a side business in order to advance their relationship. To raise the funds, Patti sold her stocks, withdrew money from her 401k coverage benefit, and even cashed in the second mortgage on her home. Notably, all the money was loaned in cash to Brian, ensuring that it couldn’t be easily traced back to him.

The substantial financial aspect, combined with the presence of physical evidence, made Brian Flowers the primary suspect in the case. During searches of Brian’s truck and his residence, the authorities discovered certain forensic evidence, including a small blood spot on the truck cover and Patti’s cat’s hair. However, the limited nature of the evidence prevented it from providing conclusive proof in the 2001 investigation.

Regrettably, due to insufficient evidence, the police were unable to obtain a warrant for Brian Flowers’ arrest. As a result, the case was classified as a cold case, and ultimately, Patti Adkins was legally declared deceased by the court.

Updates on Patti Adkins’ case?

The case of Patti Adkins remains an unresolved tragedy, leaving her family without the closure they desperately seek. Despite being legally declared deceased, the lack of updates or progress in her case has hindered the grieving process for her loved ones, who continue to reject the reality of her fate.

Patti Adkins' daughter
Patti Adkins’ daughter

Numerous unanswered questions persist, leaving room for speculation regarding the actions taken by law enforcement in their pursuit of the perpetrator and justice for Patti Adkins and her family. Basic inquiries, such as why the initial construction site, where scent traces were detected by dogs, was not thoroughly searched, remain unanswered.

More complex questions also remain, such as the whereabouts of the $90,000 Patti allegedly loaned to her boyfriend. The absence of any record of the funds being deposited into a bank account adds to the mystery. Equally significant is the identity of Patti’s boyfriend, a detail that law enforcement has withheld in interviews. Unveiling this information may prove pivotal in solving the case, even after 20 years have passed.

Patti Adkins’ body has never been recovered, and no arrests have been made in connection with her untimely demise. While her boyfriend remains the primary suspect, the lack of substantial evidence has left him free. The case is officially classified as “cold but active,” indicating ongoing efforts to bring resolution. Patti’s daughter, now 28 years old, continues to live with the burden of not knowing what truly happened to her mother.

Frequently asked questions about Patti Adkins –

Q: When did Patti Adkins go missing? A: Patricia Adkins, commonly known as Patti, was last seen on June 29, 2001. She was 29 years old at the time and had just finished her second shift at the Honda plant in Marysville. She was spotted leaving the plant while still in her work uniform.

Q: Who is Patti Adkins? A: Patti Adkins, a 29-year-old single mother, was employed at the Honda plant in Marysville, Ohio. She was known for her hard work and dedication.

Q: Was Patti Adkins ever found? A: Unfortunately, Patti Adkins has not been located since her disappearance 22 years ago. No contact has been established with any family members, including her seven-year-old daughter at the time. Despite extensive efforts, no financial or personal activities have been traced since her disappearance.


If you are interested in reading about unsolved crimes, in addition to the disappearance of Patti Adkins and the case of Lina Medina, the youngest mother in history, you may also want to look into the unsolved murders of the Dardeen family.