Barefoot Escape Ends on Highway 47 as Woman Flags Down Deputies for Help
- John Eads
- Mar 26
- 2 min read
TROY, MO — A woman ran barefoot into the road in the early morning darkness Thursday, shaken, injured, and desperate to get away — flagging down deputies along Highway 47 after what she says was a violent attack inside a Lincoln County home.
Thomas Neal
Charges
Domestic Assault – 2nd Degree (Felony D)
It started as a conversation — one that wasn’t supposed to turn into anything more.
The two had been talking about their relationship, about whether there was anything left to fix. She made it clear there wasn’t. She did not want to get back together.
That’s when everything changed.
According to the allegations, Neal became angry and the situation escalated quickly inside the home. What began as an argument turned physical — first with him getting on top of her, and then intensifying when she tried to leave.
She says he came up behind her, wrapped his arm around her neck, and began choking her — pushing her into a wall as she tried to get away.
The injuries told part of that story.
Deputies later observed her shirt torn over her arm, marks across her throat, and redness consistent with being grabbed and choked. She reported being strangled to the point that she lost control of her body.
Even more troubling — she wasn’t alone in the house.
Others were present during the incident, but instead of stepping in, she says she was told to “just relax.” When she tried to call for help, she says her phone was taken from her.
So she ran.
Out of the house. Into the night. No shoes. No phone. Just trying to get away.
She made it to the road and flagged down deputies passing by on Highway 47 — still shaken, still emotional, still trying to process what had just happened.
When deputies later went to the home, the situation didn’t calm down — it raised more questions.
Neal wasn’t immediately found. Instead, deputies say they were given information that didn’t line up with what they were seeing. He was eventually located hiding inside the garage, after being concealed by someone inside the home.
Investigators also noted damage inside the house — including a wall that appeared to have been struck with significant force, consistent with a punch.
When questioned, Neal admitted to physically restraining and touching her, but denied choking her — despite visible injuries and conflicting statements.
Based on the totality of what deputies observed, along with her account of what happened, Neal was taken into custody and charged with felony domestic assault.
A charge is merely an accusation. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Have information, documents, photos, or concerns related to this case? You can message Lincoln CountyWatch, email tips@LincolnCountyWatch.com, or call/text 636-377-0201. Confidential submissions are always accepted.
This article was written by John Eads for Lincoln CountyWatch.