Police to follow up on Ferdinand tip about 18-year-old cold case

ByMatthew Crane Reading Time: 2 minutes
Ricky was between 5'8" and 5'9" and weighed about 170 lbs at the time of his disappearance. Ricky has two small scars on both his cheeks, a feature that could be beneficial in identifying Ricky.
Ricky was between 5’8″ and 5’9″ and weighed about 170 lbs at the time of his disappearance. Ricky has two small scars on both his cheeks, a feature that could be beneficial in identifying Ricky.

Indiana State Police are cautious about raising anyone’s hopes in finding any closure on the disappearance of a 13-year-old Perry County boy after receiving information a body could be found in a Ferdinand lake.

According to Sgt. Philip Hensley, the department receives tips regularly about the November 1997 disappearance of Ricky Lane Thomas Jr. He explained they have an investigator assigned to the case and each tip is vetted.

In the case of this tip, a dive has not been scheduled yet but according to Hensley, an Indiana State Police dive team will be scheduling a dive sometime in the future.

Ricky Thomas was last seen Nov. 6, 1997, at his Bristow home. He was allegedly home alone and had planned on walking over to a cousin’s nearby house but he never showed up. His mom reported him missing the following day. Two dogs also went missing from Ricky’s home at the same time.

After an extensive search conducted by police, family, friends and neighbors, Ricky’s disappearance has remained open as an unsolved homicide for state police.

The investigation has been profiled on “America’s Most Wanted” and his information is on record with the National Crime Information Center. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children also has Ricky’s profile.

Information or tips about the investigation should be reported to the Indiana State Police Jasper Post at 812-482-1441.

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5 Comments

  4. The new ferdinand Lake is right next to my house and my mom told me that its Tinas son that went missing and Thats my stepdads uncles wifes son

  5. He is my brother and Tina and John Martin are both guilty of killing him !!!

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