Matthew Anfeldt

Case Information:

Matthew Anfeldt was 20 years old when he disappeared from Rochester, Washington, on the evening of February 28, 2019. Known for his bright smile and close bond with his siblings, Matthew’s life took a dark turn following a violent targeted assault just months before he vanished.

His disappearance was preceded by a series of frantic and erratic sightings that suggested he was in a state of extreme psychological distress. For over four years, his family searched for answers until a somber discovery changed the course of the investigation.

Case Details:

Matthew Anfeldt was a young man struggling with the trauma of a December 2018 attack where he was beaten and carved with a knife by three unknown individuals. This incident left him deeply paranoid and fearful that people were “out to get him” and his family.

On the day he vanished, he had been enjoying a normal afternoon of bowling with his sister before his behavior shifted suddenly. He left the family home to retrieve a cell phone and was never seen by his loved ones again.

Timeline of Events:

Between 5:05 PM and 5:10 PM, Matthew left his sister’s room and entered a neighbor’s yard, claiming his family had been murdered. By 5:27 PM, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office received calls about a man acting erratically and jumping onto vehicles along Old Highway 99.

His final verified sighting occurred at 6:30 PM at the Speedway Grocery in Grand Mound, where he appeared panicked and bloodied. He fled the store when the clerk called for help, disappearing into the darkness of the surrounding wooded area.

Investigation:

The initial search involved K9 units and extensive neighborhood canvassing, but no traces of Matthew were found in the immediate aftermath. Detectives investigated the 2018 assault for potential links to his disappearance, though no suspects were ever formally charged.

In October 2023, a hunter discovered human remains in the Rochester/Grand Mound area that were later confirmed to be Matthew’s. The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office has since transitioned the case into an active death investigation to determine the exact cause of his passing.

Community Response:

The “Help Find Matthew Anfeldt” movement became a massive local effort, with thousands of people following the case on social media. Community members organized multiple “Grid Searches” and vigils to keep the pressure on local law enforcement.

Even after the recovery of his remains, the community remains active in seeking justice for the Anfeldt family. Local residents continue to share his story, hoping that someone will come forward with information regarding the individuals who targeted him in 2018.

Family Statements:

Matthew’s mother, Sarah, has been a pillar of strength, documenting her journey of “soul searching” and the pain of losing both a son and her ex-husband. She has recently shared that she believes Matthew’s death was a murder connected to the December 2018 attack.

The family remains vocal about the failures of the judicial system and the “tied hands” of detectives working the case. They have expressed that while they have found Matthew’s body, they are still far from finding the closure that justice provides.

Physical Appearance:

At the time he vanished, Matthew was 5’7” tall and weighed approximately 120 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black and gray Chicago Bulls sweatshirt and gray sweatpants, notably without shoes despite the winter weather.

He had hazel eyes, short brown hair, and a distinctive tattoo on his right wrist. His appearance at the Speedway Grocery was described as “delirious,” with dried blood around his mouth from an unknown source.

Current Status:

The investigation into the death of Matthew Anfeldt remains open under case number 19-01080. While the recovery of his remains provided a physical answer, the circumstances of his death are still being scrutinized by forensic experts.

He is no longer listed as an active missing person on NamUs, as the focus has shifted toward a potential criminal prosecution. The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office continues to seek any information related to his final hours or the prior assault.

Contact Information:

Anyone with information regarding the death of Matthew Anfeldt or the 2018 assault is urged to contact the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office at (360) 786-5500. Tips can also be emailed directly to detectives at detectives@co.thurston.wa.us.

Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers of South Sound to help bring the long-awaited answers this family deserves.

---