Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"And when the truth keeps bending like that, it's not confusion, it's not bad memory. Usually, it's a bold-faced lie." — Ashley Flowers
"This is the story of Christopher Cole Thomas." — Ashley Flowers
"But according to David, it seems like Cole may have slowly and surely been figuring it out, like on the fly." — Britt
The episode details the disappearance of Christopher Cole Thomas, who vanished in Benson, North Carolina, on Black Friday in 2016. His companions, Julian Vayas Jr. and Jeremy Carpenter, initially reported that Cole pulled over, took the keys, and ran off due to paranoia, possibly related to mental health issues. However, their story began to unravel when Cole's parents were notified and learned that Julian and Jeremy had not contacted them. Further investigation, including a locksmith discovering the car keys under the car and the parents reaching out to Cole's supervisor, revealed a different narrative. Cole's supervisor suggested they might have been involved in a drug deal, a theory corroborated when Julian and Jeremy eventually admitted they traveled to North Carolina to buy methamphetamine from individuals named Rudolfo Dalyon Jr. (Rudy) and Anthony James Jr. (TJ).
The investigation gained traction with surveillance footage from a convenience store showing Cole, Julian, and Jeremy together shortly before the reported disappearance, appearing normal. Later, a crucial piece of evidence emerged from Walgreens surveillance footage, showing Cole walking with Jeremy Carpenter following him, contradicting the narrative of Cole running off alone. This discovery led Jeremy to admit he followed Cole to calm him down. His story further evolved, including hearing a car door and possibly gunshots. Phone data analysis revealed that Julian and Jeremy's phones, along with Cole's, were near the location where the car was left for a period. Critically, Julian and Jeremy admitted to having Cole's phone, which was not turned in initially.
The investigation escalated with the indictment of Julian, Jeremy, Rudy, and TJ for concealing death and obstruction of justice. Despite their pleas of not guilty, investigators, aided by a private investigator, delved deeper. Theories emerged of a potential double-cross involving Julian and the drug dealers, possibly aimed at stealing the drugs back after a sale. It's speculated that Cole may have become aware of the danger due to his knowledge of Spanish, leading to his panic. Another possibility is that drugs were discarded, leading to a confrontation. A key figure, "Gordo," eventually cooperated, stating he was instructed to find Cole and place him in a car, though the ultimate fate of Cole remains unclear. The case continues with Cole's parents still seeking answers.