Batavia man missing under suspicious circumstances in Montana

Family members and co-workers are worried about a 45-year-old Batavia man reported missing this week in a small Montana town under what police called suspicious circumstances.

Paul Batson went to Montana to pursue a job opportunity, said his sister, Jennifer Batson-List of Belvidere. He hasn't been heard from since Sunday.

"We love him," Batson-List said. "We want him safe. We want him home."

Montana authorities described Batson's disappearance as suspicious but declined to explain why, citing the ongoing investigation.

Batson's gray 2016 Dodge Charger was found abandoned Sunday in Reed Point, a rural community along I-90 near the Yellowstone River and north of the Beartooth Mountains. It's about 60 miles west of Billings.

The car was parked on the side of a road across from a gas station, and a station employee called police, Batson's sister said.

Police checked the car's license plate and discovered its owner had been reported missing to Bozeman, Montana authorities.

Batson is a postal carrier with the St. Charles post office. He was visiting Bozeman because he was seeking a transfer to a post office there, Batson-List said.

Last week, he was in Colorado to visit his three grown children, she said.

"He was just going out there (to Montana) to check things out," Batson-List said. "It's only eight hours from where his children live."

Batson last sent a text to his girlfriend in Illinois on Sunday from Montana, Batson-List said. There haven't been any texts or phone calls since.

Batson's girlfriend reported him missing after speaking with Batson's family and calling hospitals and hotels in the Bozeman area, Batson-List said.

Batson has never disappeared before, his sister said.

"His children are desperate to find him," she said. "My parents are quite distraught."

The Stillwater County sheriff's office, Bozeman police, a Stillwater County search and rescue team and search dogs are looking for Batson.

The agencies planned to search three specific areas Friday, some near where Batson's car was found, Stillwater County Sgt. Randy Smith said.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Batson has worked as a postal carrier since 1994, said his supervisor, Erica Friedman. She described Batson as a "funny, sarcastic guy" who has a quick wit and often smiles.

Batson is well-regarded by his customers, Friedman said. The staff at Geneva High School, which was on his route at the time, once gave Batson a plaque declaring him postal carrier of the year, Friedman said.

Batson's co-workers have been sharing information about his disappearance on social media.

"We want to make sure that he's safe and gets home safe," Friedman said.

Batson is described as being 6 feet 2 inches tall with brown eyes and brown hair.

Anyone with information should call the Stillwater County sheriff's office at (406) 322-5326.