More questions than answers haunt 2022 disappearance of Jason Lierl n Madison County

By Dennis McCaslin | Today in Fort Smith

The case of Jason Richard Lierl remains a troubling mystery more than two years after his disappearance in January 2022. Jason, a 41-year-old man from Madison County, Arkansas, was last seen on January 25 near Capps Ranches Road in Benton County and County Road 1101 in Madison County. Since then, his family and friends have searched for answers, but his whereabouts remain unknown.

A detailed timeline, compiled by an individual close to Jason, provides an alleged look into his last known movements and interactions in the days leading up to his disappearance. The timeline sheds light on the people he was with, the places he visited, and the strange and sometimes unsettling events that occurred before he vanished.

January 21, 2022 – Day 1

• Jason arrives at a friend’s house in the morning with Randall.

• Several people are present, including Don, Ashley, and Reece, along with Troy and Charity Thometz, who live in a separate area on the property.

• Don and Jason reconnect after years apart, with Don initially failing to recognize Jason.

• Later in the day, Randall and Jason leave together, followed shortly by Don, Reece, and Ashley.

• That evening, Don returns alone and calls Jason, who initially hesitates to come over due to the difficulty of riding his bike down a dirt road.

• Don picks Jason up from Randall’s, and they return to the house.

• Aaron McLaughlin stops by briefly before leaving.

• Troy and Charity remain home all night, occasionally joining the group.

January 22, 2022 – Day 2

• Present at the house: Don, the homeowner, Troy, Charity, and Jason.

• Jimmy Evans arrives at Don’s request but leaves after a few minutes without cashing a check for groceries.

• Jason, frustrated over the money situation, argues briefly with Jimmy but ultimately decides against meeting him.

• Don and Jason scrape together money and head to Eureka Springs to buy ingredients for chili.

• Jason asks to leave his army bag at the house for safekeeping.

• Later, the homeowner borrows Troy and Charity’s car to visit her daughter.

• Upon return, Don and Jason are back, and the group eats chili together before going to bed.

January 23, 2022 – Day 3

• Don and Jason leave early to go to Don’s house.

• Troy and Charity leave separately.

• The homeowner spends the day alone except for a brief visit from Aaron and his friend DK, who leave immediately after being told they are unwelcome.

• A text from Don reveals that Aaron had been on the dirt road, raising suspicions.

• Later that night, Don returns alone, appearing hysterical.

• He claims Jason got angry and jumped out of his truck near a waterfall.

• Reece arrives shortly after, revealing Jason had been in his truck outside.

• Jason appears exhausted but does not explain what happened.

• That night, Troy and Charity return in a stolen Jeep, bringing the entire contents of a storage unit and unloading them into the shop.

January 24, 2022 – Day 4

• Jason spends most of the day walking and later tells the homeowner he is “hunting.”

• Shane Thomas visits, and they talk upstairs.

• Troy and Charity remain on the property but do not leave for town.

• Don briefly leaves for Randall’s.

• Jason later calls, requesting a ride from the top of the dirt road.

• Shane picks him up and returns him to the house.

• Jason looks rough and has a bleeding knuckle.

• He tells a bizarre story about being put in a barrel and rolled down hills by police in four locations, along with the Houston brothers.

• Concerned, the homeowner suspects Jason may have schizophrenia but decides to wait before asking more questions.

• Jason showers and is encouraged to stay upstairs if he doesn’t want to be alone.

• Later, Don returns home, checks in, and immediately leaves again.

January 25, 2022 – Day 5

• Don wakes the homeowner urgently, saying she must hurry if she wants a ride to town with Charity.

• She leaves with Charity to Berryville and Missouri.

• While in Missouri, she meets Moises Stratton, who displays and discusses a tan, Desert Storm-style handgun.

• The group returns around 9 p.m. to an empty house.

• About an hour later, Troy arrives on foot.

• Don texts, saying he and Jason were at his house.

• A few hours later, Don messages again, claiming Jason left on foot and never returned.

Aftermath & Unanswered Questions

Following Jason’s disappearance, some of his personal belongings were found scattered in multiple locations, including Fayetteville and Benton County, Arkansas, and Eagle Rock, Missouri. His car was abandoned at the Northwest Arkansas Mall, and his motorcycle was still at his Madison County home.

In September 2022, the FBI offered a $30,000 reward for information leading to Jason’s recovery. Despite ongoing investigations, no breakthroughs have been reported.

The timeline of Jason’s final days raises critical questions:

• Why did Jason leave Don’s house that night, and where was he headed?

• What caused his erratic behavior and paranoia?

• What role, if any, did the people around him play in his disappearance?

• Why were his belongings found in multiple locations?

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Madison County Sheriff’s Office at (479) 738-2320 or the FBI’s Little Rock Office at (501) 221-9100.

Jason’s loved ones continue to hope for answers. They urge the public to come forward with any information that might bring closure to his family.

To be continued…