California Dad Found Dead Near Levi's Stadium After Super Bowl Party

Thomas Simpkins vanished after celebrating the big game with friends in San Jose.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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A 44-year-old California father named Thomas Simpkins was found dead in a creek behind Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, six days after he was last seen partying with friends following the Super Bowl. Simpkins had taken an Uber home from the Super Bowl party but never arrived, prompting his 19-year-old son to file a missing persons report. Simpkins' body was eventually discovered in the San Tomas Aquino Creek, with his cellphone and wallet missing. Police are investigating the death as a possible homicide.

Why it matters

Simpkins' death has left his family devastated and searching for answers, as they claim law enforcement agencies initially did not take the investigation seriously. The case has also raised concerns about public safety in the area around Levi's Stadium, which hosts the Super Bowl and other major events.

The details

According to Simpkins' sister Brandi Stroud, the 44-year-old had been celebrating the Super Bowl at a barbecue a couple of miles from Levi's Stadium in San Jose. Simpkins took an Uber home around 9 p.m. on February 8th, but was never heard from again. The next day, his 19-year-old son Tyler went to the Palo Alto restaurant where Simpkins worked and learned he had not shown up for his shift, prompting Tyler to file a missing persons report. Stroud flew from Oregon to help search for her brother, but the family came up empty-handed until a stranger sent them police scanner audio indicating human remains had been found in the creek behind Levi's Stadium on February 14th. Officials later confirmed the body was Simpkins, but his cause of death has not yet been revealed.

  • Simpkins was last seen on February 8, 2026 after leaving a Super Bowl party in San Jose around 9 p.m.
  • Simpkins' body was found in a creek behind Levi's Stadium on February 14, 2026, nearly a week after he went missing.

The players

Thomas Simpkins

A 44-year-old California father who went missing after attending a Super Bowl party in San Jose. His body was later found in a creek behind Levi's Stadium.

Brandi Stroud

Simpkins' sister, who flew from Oregon to the Bay Area to help search for her missing brother.

Tyler Simpkins

Simpkins' 19-year-old son, who filed a missing persons report for his father after he didn't show up for work.

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What they’re saying

“There was a huge delay. They didn't take my brother's case seriously at all.”

— Brandi Stroud, Simpkins' sister (San Francisco Chronicle)

“He was a deeply loved son, brother, husband, father, and friend. His kindness, strength, and unwavering love for his family touched everyone who knew him.”

— Simpkins' family (GoFundMe)

What’s next

Police are continuing to investigate Simpkins' death as a possible homicide, and the family is awaiting the results of the autopsy which could take up to four months.

The takeaway

Simpkins' tragic death has left his family devastated and raised concerns about public safety in the area around Levi's Stadium, which hosts major events like the Super Bowl. The case has also highlighted issues with how law enforcement initially handled the missing persons investigation.