MISSING: Christopher “Cole” Thomas
On Black Friday 2016, 22-year-old Christopher “Cole” Thomas was driving through rural North Carolina with two coworkers. Hours later, the coworkers approached police and said Cole had suddenly panicked, pulled over, and ran into the dark, never to be seen again.
But their story later changed. Surveillance footage showed Cole was not alone. Phone data appeared to place the group at the scene of a late-night drug deal that went wrong. And somehow, the only person who disappeared was Cole.
In the years since, multiple men have been arrested, questioned, and released, but no one has been charged with his disappearance. His body has not been found. And despite conflicting statements, investigators believe someone knows exactly what happened that night.
Christopher “Cole” Thomas
Courtesy: Thomas Family
Christopher “Cole” Thomas
Courtesy: Thomas Family
Christopher “Cole” Thomas
Courtesy: Thomas Family
Cole Thomas was salutatorian of his high school.
Courtesy: Thomas Family
Cole at one of his job sites
Courtesy: Thomas Family
Benson Police Chief Greg Percy
Courtesy: Benson Police Department
Cole with his parents, Kathy and Chris
Courtesy: Thomas Family
Private Investigator David Marshburn
Courtesy: David Marshburn
Jeremy Carpenter
Courtesy: Johnston County Sheriff’s Office
Rudolfo “Rudy” DeLeon Jr.
Courtesy: Johnston County Sheriff’s Office
Anthony Ridell James Jr. aka “TJ”
Courtesy: Johnston County Sheriff’s Office
Julian Valles Jr.
Courtesy: Johnston County Sheriff’s Office
A still shot of one of the last times Cole was seen alive at a convenience store in Mount Olive, North Carolina.
Courtesy: Benson Police Department
A still shot of Cole and Jeremy walking together around 1:10 a.m. on November 25th, 2016.
Courtesy: Benson Police Department
Justice for Cole billboard previously up in Wayne County, North Carolina.
Courtesy: Thomas Family
Timeline:
11:37–11:50 p.m.
Cole, Julian and Jeremy are seen on surveillance at a Handy Mart in Mount Olive after a drug deal.
11:52 p.m.
Phone data shows the group leaving Mount Olive and driving toward Benson on side roads.
1:07 a.m.
Phones stop near Benson where Cole allegedly exits the car.
1:10 a.m.
Surveillance footage shows Cole walking in Benson with Jeremy.
Shortly after 1:10 a.m.
Cole and Jeremy supposedly end up outside a church and Jeremy claims Cole disappears while Jeremy is praying.
Around 2:20 a.m.
Jeremy is seen alone at a McDonald’s getting water.
Around 3:00 a.m.
Julian and Jeremy report Cole missing to police in Benson.
After 3:45 a.m.
Phones begin moving again, including Cole’s, as the group leaves Benson.
Just after 4:00 a.m.
Cole’s phone goes dark somewhere in Wayne County.
Cole’s parents are notified by police that he is missing.
Police review surveillance footage and confirm Cole was in Benson, walking with Jeremy.
Julian Valles Jr., Jeremy Carpenter, Rudolfo DeLeon Jr. and Anthony James Jr. are arrested and charged with concealing Cole’s death.
All charges against the four suspects are dropped, though the investigation remained ongoing.
Handy Mart, Mount Olive, North Carolina
The convenience store where Cole was seen on surveillance before heading to Benson.
Benson, North Carolina
The town where Cole exited the vehicle.
North Johnson Street, Benson, North Carolina
The area where Julian and Jeremy claimed Cole ran off and where police initially searched.
Walgreens, Benson, North Carolina
The location where surveillance footage captured Cole walking with Jeremy at 1:10 a.m.
McDonald’s, Benson, North Carolina
Where Jeremy was seen alone getting water shortly after Cole vanished.
Wayne County, North Carolina
The area where Cole’s phone signal later reappeared.
Benson Baptist Church, North Carolina
The area behind the church where Jeremy said he and Cole stopped. Jeremy claimed Cole walked off while Jeremy was praying and then disappeared.
Mount Olive, North Carolina
The town where the group met at Rudy’s house for a drug deal before driving to Benson.
Additional Information:
Benson Police Department
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Benson Police Department at 919-894-2091 or [email protected]. You can also call the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation at 919-779-8188.
We’d love to speak with you and see how we can support.
If you’re a law enforcement agency or family member of one of the people we mentioned in this episode, or if you’re looking for more coverage on a case, please reach out. You can email us at:
Episode Source Material
- Original Reporting by Madison Cavalchire
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