A Bay Area man's mysterious death has sparked questions after his body was discovered in a creek near Levi's Stadium, one week after he vanished on Super Bowl Sunday. Thomas Simpkins, 44, of Santa Clara was found dead in the San Thomas Aquino Creek on February 14, according to his sister and local authorities.

Simpkins was last seen attending a friend's barbecue in south San Jose on February 8, the day of the Super Bowl. His sister, Brandi Stroud, said he took an Uber home around 9 p.m. but was nowhere to be found the next day. His cellphone and wallet were missing, and police are investigating his death as a possible homicide. The Santa Clara Police Department has not confirmed the nature of the investigation.

Stroud criticized the initial police response, saying the case was bounced between San Jose and Santa Clara departments for three days before being taken seriously. She learned of her brother's fate through scanner traffic and identified him by a distinctive tattoo. The cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending further investigation. Stroud described Simpkins as a hard-working father who was planning to visit family in Oregon this spring.