Cole was just 22 years old. He wasn’t a runaway. He wasn’t a stranger to hardship, but he had plans. He had family. He had people who loved him and were waiting to welcome him home for Thanksgiving. What was supposed to be a long drive filled with tired laughter, pit stops, and the excitement of a holiday reunion quickly turned into something far more sinister—a cross-country trip that unraveled into a tangled web of misdirection, secrets, fear, and silence.
In the immediate hours and days after his disappearance, confusion turned to panic. His father, Chris Thomas, expected his son to walk through the front door, arms open for a hug. Instead, he received silence. Calls went unanswered. Texts were never returned. And in a matter of hours, that silence became a living nightmare—a void filled only with questions.
Nearly a decade later, Cole is still missing. His body has never been recovered. No arrest has led to justice. The answers remain locked in the minds of the people who were with him that night—people who have, according to some investigators, changed their stories, kept their distance, and refused to tell the whole truth.
There were no desperate goodbye phone calls. No last-minute texts. No security footage capturing a final image of him alive. Just a brief and inexplicable act—him running from a parked car at around 3 a.m. in a town he didn’t know—followed by complete and total disappearance.
In the years since, Cole's case has become more than just a missing persons file—it has become a symbol of how quickly a life can be swept away and how slow the justice system can be in finding it again. It’s a case layered in inconsistencies, failed leads, and arrests that led nowhere. Yet despite all the setbacks, one thing has remained constant: a father’s unrelenting pursuit of the truth.
Chris Thomas has never stopped looking for his son. Not after police dropped charges. Not after media attention faded. He continues to fight for answers, organize searches, pressure law enforcement, and beg the public to come forward with the piece of the puzzle that could finally reveal what happened on that dark Benson street.
And as the years stretch on, one question remains louder than ever:
How can someone just vanish—and no one be held responsible?
Who Was Cole Thomas?
At just 22 years old, Cole was navigating that transitional period between youth and adulthood—the part of life where you're still figuring things out but full of hope about where you're headed.
Born and raised in Live Oak, Florida, Cole grew up in a small town environment surrounded by family and friends who loved him deeply. He was known for his bright blue eyes, quick wit, and infectious personality. People who knew him often describe him as funny, charming, and incredibly loyal—someone who could walk into a room and instantly light it up. He wasn’t perfect—he was human—but he had a good heart, and he was trying to better himself.
Cole had recently taken a job in Minnesota, working as an electrical apprentice, a trade that offered stability and a future. It wasn’t the easiest job, especially being so far from home, but Cole was willing to work hard. He wanted to make a life for himself—something he could be proud of. He was focused on his goals and looking forward to seeing his family for the holidays.
He had called his father, Chris Thomas, in the days leading up to his return home for Thanksgiving, excited to share the holiday and catch up after being away. His family was waiting for him back in Florida, likely already preparing a seat at the table for him—never imagining it would remain empty.
Cole had dreams of starting a business someday, of building a stable, happy life. He had recently expressed interest in possibly opening his own electrical company. He wanted to make something of himself—not just for his own sake, but for those who believed in him. Though he’d made a few missteps in life, like most people in their early 20s, he was on a path of growth, improvement, and direction. He was at that age where the mistakes of the past hadn’t hardened him—they had motivated him.
At his core, Cole was a young man with a warm soul. He loved music, cars, and adventure. He loved his family and stayed in touch even when working far from home. He had no known history of vanishing, running away, or cutting ties. His sudden disappearance wasn’t just out of character—it was alarming.
He had so much life left to live. So many plans, so many things he was just starting to figure out.
But all of that—the hopes, the goals, the journey—came to a sudden halt on the early morning of November 25, 2016. The moment he stepped out of that car in Benson, North Carolina, was the last moment anyone saw him. He left behind no trail, no explanation—just a hole in the lives of those who loved him and a haunting mystery that refuses to fade.
Cole wasn’t just another face in a missing persons database.
He was a real person.
He was loved.
And he is still missed every single day.
The Road Trip That Raised Red Flags
Cole Thomas began his journey home to Live Oak, Florida, on November 23, 2016, just before Thanksgiving. He had spent the past several months working in Minnesota, pursuing a stable future as an electrical apprentice. Like many young adults living far from home, he was eager to reconnect with his loved ones for the holiday. But instead of taking a flight or traveling solo, Cole opted to carpool with two men he had gotten to know through work: Jeremy Michael Carpenter and Julian Valles Jr.
All three men had ties to Florida, and it made sense on the surface—they’d split gas, take turns driving, and make it home in time for the holidays. But from the very beginning, something about the trip didn’t sit right. Cole’s family would later say that parts of his behavior leading up to the trip felt a bit off—subtle changes in his tone, his vague details about the drive. It wasn’t enough to raise alarm at the time, but in hindsight, it painted a picture of a young man who may have been anxious about something.
Instead of taking a direct and predictable route from Minnesota down through the Midwest and into Florida, the men took a suspicious detour—one that veered hundreds of miles out of the way. They headed southeast into North Carolina, eventually arriving in the small town of Benson, located in Johnston County, during the early morning hours of November 25.
This deviation from the expected path raised questions almost immediately, especially once Cole was reported missing. His family and friends couldn’t understand why the group would stop in a rural town in North Carolina that held no personal connection to Cole. It wasn’t a rest stop. It wasn’t a place to see family or friends. And it wasn’t on the route home. Something else had brought them there.
In the weeks following Cole’s disappearance, investigators would begin peeling back the layers of that fateful road trip—and what they uncovered pointed to a dark and dangerous motive.
Law enforcement later revealed that the stop in Benson was not incidental. It had been planned. The group wasn’t just passing through—they were there for a drug transaction. According to police reports and statements made by individuals involved, the three men were allegedly in the middle of a methamphetamine purchase, or what some believe was an attempted delivery.
The evidence would suggest this was no minor detour. It was the central reason for entering Benson in the first place. This wasn’t a case of taking a backroad or grabbing a late-night meal off the highway. The trio arrived in Benson around 3 a.m., after leaving the interstate and winding through residential streets—not typical behavior for tired travelers.
The idea that Cole was knowingly participating in a drug run is something his family has questioned. They don't deny he may have made some risky decisions or found himself in over his head, but they have always maintained that this trip didn’t sit right with him. Some believe Cole didn’t fully understand the scope of what the other men had planned—or that he may have tried to back out once he realized what was happening.
Even more unsettling, it's believed that other individuals—beyond just the three men in the car—were connected to the drug activity and may have been waiting in or around Benson when they arrived. Whether Cole knew them or not is unclear. What is clear is that something went wrong during or shortly after their arrival.
According to Jeremy Carpenter and Julian Valles, after they exited the interstate, Cole was behind the wheel when he suddenly pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and, without a word, jumped out and ran into the night. Their story was that he panicked. That he seemed “off.” That he vanished into a quiet, unfamiliar neighborhood just before dawn.
But the timeline, the motive, and the circumstances surrounding that stop in Benson all suggest there was more to this than a spontaneous sprint into the dark. The detour wasn’t random—it was deliberate. And what was supposed to be a simple ride home for the holidays was anything but.
This decision—to stop in Benson for what police believe was a meth deal—would be the turning point. Whatever happened next would send Cole Thomas into the shadows of an unsolved mystery, one that still offers more questions than answers.
What made the situation even more baffling was what he left behind. Cole’s phone, wallet, keys, and all personal belongings were still inside the vehicle. There was no indication that he had planned to leave, and the circumstances made it nearly impossible to believe that he simply decided to disappear. He was hundreds of miles from home, had no money, no identification, and was in a town he had no known connection to. He didn’t know anyone there. And it was cold that night—temperatures dropped into the 30s, far too cold to be outside in just a t-shirt and jeans with no supplies or shelter.
According to Carpenter and Valles, Cole had been “acting paranoid” throughout the trip. They claimed he believed he was being followed, that he was hearing things, or that someone was out to get him. But even if he was showing signs of paranoia or anxiety, would that explain everything? Would it justify abandoning his phone, his wallet, and his ride home—just to run blindly into the darkness of an unfamiliar town?
Cole’s family and friends have never believed the story added up.
He had been in touch with his father, Chris Thomas, during the trip. In those conversations, he didn’t sound erratic or paranoid. He was tired, yes, but looking forward to getting home. There were no signs that he intended to disappear or was in the middle of a mental health crisis. In fact, Chris later said that just hours before his disappearance, Cole was joking and talking about how much he missed home. Nothing about the call suggested he was on the verge of vanishing.
And yet, in a matter of minutes, Cole was gone.
Carpenter and Valles didn’t call police right away. In fact, their behavior following Cole’s disappearance raised significant red flags. They reportedly returned to the same area multiple times, cleaned the car, and then drove back to Florida, claiming they were trying to figure out what to do. Their stories changed over time, and while both were eventually arrested in 2019 and charged with concealment of a death, those charges were later dropped, and no convictions were made.
Despite extensive searches—including foot patrols, K-9 units, and volunteer search teams—no trace of Cole has ever been found. Not a shoe, not an item of clothing, not a single confirmed piece of physical evidence. It was as if the earth swallowed him whole.
But no one truly disappears without a trace.
Someone knows what happened that night. Whether it was the result of a drug deal gone wrong, a setup, an altercation, or something more calculated, Cole’s vanishing was not spontaneous. The setting, the timeline, and the behavior of the men with him all suggest there is more to the story—possibly something far more sinister than a paranoid sprint into the night.
To this day, the intersection of North Elm and East Morgan stands as the last known location of a young man whose life ended in mystery. And his family—especially his father—refuses to stop asking the question:
What really happened to Cole Thomas on that cold November night?
The Immediate Aftermath
Cole’s family immediately knew something was wrong when he didn’t show up for Thanksgiving dinner. He had been excited to come home. He had stayed in contact during his trip. Silence wasn’t like him.
His father, Chris Thomas, quickly stepped into action. He filed a missing persons report, contacted law enforcement, and began spreading awareness—printing flyers, posting on social media, and urging anyone with information to come forward. From the start, Chris pushed authorities to take the case seriously and to investigate the people Cole had traveled with.
Search efforts began in Benson, focusing on the area where Cole was last seen. Police searched wooded lots, fields, and abandoned buildings. Neighbors were interviewed. Surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses was reviewed. Nothing was found. No clothes. No signs of a struggle. No trail to follow. It was as if Cole had vanished into thin air.
Investigators also looked at digital evidence—phone records, social media activity, and communication history—but with Cole’s phone left behind in the car, there were no outgoing messages or calls after he disappeared.
Suspicion quickly turned to Jeremy Carpenter and Julian Valles Jr., the two men who had been with him. From the beginning, their story didn’t add up. They claimed Cole ran off suddenly, but their accounts changed over time, and details didn’t line up. They offered no real explanation for why he ran or what could have happened afterward. Despite being with Cole during his final known hours, they provided no helpful information.
As the investigation continued, more names surfaced—individuals who, according to witness statements, may have played a role in covering up what happened. Allegations emerged that Cole may not have simply run away, but instead met with foul play, and that others helped to hide or destroy evidence.
In 2019, arrest warrants were issued for Carpenter, Valles, and two others, charging them with obstruction of justice, concealment of a death, and criminal conspiracy. But in 2021, all charges were dropped. The case remained unsolved.
Despite the setbacks, Cole’s family has never stopped searching. They continue to ask questions, share his story, and push for answers.
To this day, no trace of Cole Thomas has been found.
Arrests, Charges, and the Crushing Weight of Disappointment
In 2017, more than six months after Cole’s sudden and unexplained disappearance, a glimmer of hope emerged for his family and the community desperate for answers. Law enforcement officials announced the arrests of four men allegedly connected to the case:
Jeremy Carpenter
Julian Valles Jr.
Anthony Ridell James Jr.
Rodolfo DeLeon Jr.
The charges leveled against these individuals were grave and carried serious legal consequences. Each man faced accusations of felony concealment of death, obstruction of justice, and criminal conspiracy—charges that suggested not only a tragic outcome for Cole but also a deliberate effort by others to cover up the truth and impede the investigation.
For a fleeting moment, it seemed that the long, agonizing wait might be over. Months of searching, uncertainty, and unanswered questions had left Cole’s family in anguish. Now, with arrests made and charges filed, there was a tangible sense that justice might finally be within reach. The community clung to the hope that these men, believed to be involved in Cole’s disappearance, would be held accountable and that the mystery surrounding his fate would begin to unravel.
Investigators revealed that these charges were based largely on witness statements, testimonies from people who claimed to have knowledge about the events leading up to Cole’s vanishing, and circumstantial evidence that painted a disturbing picture. The allegations implied a conspiracy, a coordinated attempt to conceal what had truly happened to Cole—actions that had hindered the search for him and obstructed justice at every turn.
However, despite the initial surge of optimism, the road ahead grew darker. In 2019, nearly two years after the arrests, the District Attorney’s office announced a devastating decision: all charges against the four men were being dropped. The official explanation cited insufficient evidence to proceed with prosecution. Without a body or any definitive physical evidence linking the suspects to a crime, the case could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt—a fundamental standard required in the justice system.
This decision hit Cole’s family like a tidal wave of heartbreak and frustration. After holding onto hope through months and years of uncertainty, they were forced to confront the painful reality that the legal system could not provide the closure or justice they so desperately sought. To them, it felt as though the people they believed responsible were effectively walking free, untouched by consequences, while their son’s fate remained unresolved and hauntingly unclear.
The disappointment was compounded by a sense of helplessness. Despite all efforts from investigators, law enforcement, and the family’s own tireless search, the case had stalled. The lack of physical evidence — no body, no murder weapon, no direct forensic proof — left the prosecutors with too many gaps to fill. The fragile threads of the case, woven from witness recollections and indirect clues, simply were not enough to build a courtroom case that could survive rigorous scrutiny.
Yet, amidst this heavy blow, authorities stressed that the investigation was far from over. The case remained open, and detectives vowed to continue pursuing any new leads or information that could emerge. They urged the public to come forward if they knew anything that might shed light on Cole’s disappearance.
For Cole’s family, the fight to find answers and justice became a marathon rather than a sprint—an enduring struggle marked by hope, despair, and the unyielding belief that someday the truth would surface. The years of waiting only deepened their pain, but also strengthened their resolve not to let Cole’s case fade into obscurity.
Though the arrests and charges had raised hopes, the absence of a definitive resolution underscored the painful reality of many missing persons cases: without clear evidence, even the most heartbreaking suspicions can remain locked behind the walls of the justice system, leaving families suspended in uncertainty and sorrow.
Theories: What Might Have Happened to Cole Thomas?
Cole Thomas’s disappearance remains one of those haunting mysteries that refuse to settle.
Over time, several theories have emerged—each trying to piece together what could have happened during those last critical hours.
1. Murder During a Drug Deal Gone Wrong
Theory:
One of the most widely discussed theories is that Cole became entangled in a dangerous drug deal that ended in tragedy. According to this scenario, Cole was involved—whether directly or indirectly—in transporting or handling methamphetamine. Some versions of the story suggest he may have disposed of the drugs or refused to go through with the deal, angering others involved.
The tension that followed may have escalated into violence, resulting in Cole’s murder. Witnesses have reported overhearing conversations or statements by individuals connected to the case, implying that Cole was “gone” and that his “body was taken care of.”
These hints suggest that those involved may have actively concealed what happened to him.
Investigator Response:
Law enforcement has taken this theory seriously, as it aligns with certain witness accounts and the known involvement of some arrested individuals with drug-related activities. However, no direct evidence such as a murder weapon, physical proof of harm, or Cole’s body has been discovered. The case against suspects based on this theory has repeatedly fallen short in court due to lack of concrete evidence.
2. Accidental Overdose and Subsequent Cover-Up
Theory:
Another unsettling possibility is that Cole overdosed on drugs, either intentionally or accidentally. If Cole consumed an unsafe amount of methamphetamine or other substances, he may have suffered a fatal overdose.
According to this theory, those with him may have panicked and decided to cover up the incident to avoid legal trouble. They might have disposed of Cole’s body and fabricated stories about his disappearance to deflect suspicion.
Investigator Response:
Investigators have acknowledged this theory as plausible given the context but have been unable to confirm it due to the absence of a body or toxicology reports. The lack of physical evidence means that proving an overdose occurred is currently impossible.
Law enforcement continues to explore this angle, including questioning those present during Cole’s last known hours and investigating any possible drug use.
3. Cole Was Set Up or Lured
Theory:
Some speculate that Cole was deliberately lured to North Carolina under false pretenses. Perhaps he was told he was simply getting a ride home or meeting someone trustworthy, but in reality, he was walking into a dangerous situation.
This theory suggests a premeditated plan where Cole was manipulated or trapped without knowing the full danger he faced. It raises the question of whether he was targeted because of something he knew or actions he took.
Investigator Response:
While law enforcement has not publicly confirmed this theory, they have not ruled it out either. The idea of Cole being deceived fits some patterns seen in other disappearances where victims are drawn into peril through trust or misinformation.
Investigators continue to analyze phone records, communication, and relationships around Cole’s disappearance to uncover any signs of planning or deception.
4. Voluntary Disappearance or Running Away
Theory:
Early in the investigation, some speculated that Cole may have chosen to disappear on his own—to start fresh somewhere else. This theory suggests that he left behind his life, possibly due to personal struggles or to escape problems.
Investigator and Family Response:
This theory has been largely dismissed by both family and investigators. The main reasons include the fact that Cole left behind his phone, identification, wallet, and other personal belongings—items essential for travel or starting anew.
His family strongly rejects the idea that Cole would voluntarily vanish without any communication, as he was close to them and had no known plans to leave.
Law enforcement agrees this theory is unlikely but remains open to any evidence suggesting voluntary disappearance. To date, no confirmed sightings or contact support this idea.
Summary and Ongoing Investigation
Each of these theories highlights different potential realities behind Cole’s disappearance—from violent crime and tragic accident to deception or voluntary escape.
Yet the absence of physical evidence and concrete leads continues to stall the investigation.
Law enforcement remains committed to uncovering the truth, emphasizing that the case is still open and actively investigated.
They urge anyone with information to come forward, no matter how small it may seem.
For Cole’s family and community, the uncertainty is a painful burden, but hope endures that someday answers will come to light—bringing justice, closure, and peace.
A Father’s Fight for Justice
No one has fought harder or more relentlessly to uncover the truth behind Cole Thomas’s disappearance than his father, Chris Thomas. From the moment Cole vanished, Chris transformed his heartbreak and despair into an unyielding mission that has spanned years—years marked by tireless searching, vocal advocacy, and a fierce determination to bring his son home or at least find the answers his family so desperately needs.
Chris’s fight began the instant the unimaginable happened. Rather than sinking into despair, he immediately took action, refusing to let the case become just another statistic lost in the system. He reached out to law enforcement, pushed for thorough investigations, and demanded accountability at every level. But when progress slowed and answers were few, Chris took matters into his own hands.
He became the driving force behind countless search parties, often rallying volunteers, friends, and community members to comb through wooded areas, abandoned buildings, and remote locations where Cole might have been found. These searches were not easy. They involved long hours, harsh weather, and the emotional toll of hoping against hope, only to face silence and uncertainty.
For many, Chris became the face of hope—an example of a parent’s love refusing to fade in the face of tragedy.
His commitment extended to the legal and investigative arenas as well. Chris maintained close communication with detectives and prosecutors, attending meetings, providing information, and pressing for renewed efforts when the investigation stalled. His persistence helped ensure that Cole’s case never went cold, even when evidence was scarce and leads were few.
Chris’s fight has also inspired others facing similar tragedies. He has become a beacon for families of missing persons, showing how relentless advocacy can keep hope alive and push for justice. Through community talks, interviews, and public appearances, he raises awareness about the complexities and challenges of missing persons cases, working to improve resources and support systems for affected families.
Ultimately, Chris Thomas’s journey is more than a search for his son—it is a testament to the power of a parent’s love and the human spirit’s refusal to surrender in the face of darkness. His dedication ensures that Cole’s case remains alive, that the search for answers continues, and that the message is clear: no family should ever be left to fight alone or forgotten.
The Reward and Ongoing Investigation
A significant reward of $50,000 remains actively offered to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in the disappearance of Cole Thomas. This reward underscores the seriousness with which law enforcement is treating the case and reflects the urgent desire to bring closure to a family devastated by years of uncertainty and unanswered questions.
Authorities are continuing their efforts with unwavering commitment, tirelessly pursuing leads and reexamining every aspect of the investigation. Despite the passage of time, the case remains open and active—investigators have not given up hope and are focused on uncovering new evidence that could finally bring justice.
The Benson Police Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation strongly encourage members of the public—whether witnesses, acquaintances, or anyone with even the faintest piece of information—to come forward. It is important to remember that no detail is too small or insignificant. Often, what seems like a minor observation or a forgotten conversation can prove pivotal in breaking a case wide open.
To facilitate this, there are multiple confidential channels available to submit tips or information:
Benson Police Department: (919) 894-2091
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation: (919) 779-8188 or
toll-free 1-800-334-3000
Both agencies guarantee that anyone who chooses to come forward can do so anonymously. Your safety and privacy will be protected at all times, and your identity will never be disclosed if you request confidentiality.
The community’s involvement is crucial. Public awareness and cooperation can dramatically increase the chances of resolving cases like Cole’s. Law enforcement officers, family members, and advocates alike stress that your tip, no matter how small or vague it may seem, can make a profound difference. It could be the missing link investigators need to move the case forward and hold those responsible accountable.
Cole’s family continues to wait in hope, relying on the generosity and courage of the community to bring answers. They have endured years of heartache and uncertainty but remain steadfast in their belief that the truth can still emerge. With the reward as a powerful motivator, authorities are hopeful that someone who knows something—whether out of guilt, compassion, or a desire for justice—will finally step forward.
If you have any information that could help resolve this case, please do not hesitate to contact the authorities immediately. Your voice could be the key that ends this long ordeal and helps restore peace to a grieving family.
Remember, justice depends not just on investigators but on everyday people willing to share what they know. Together, with your help, Cole Thomas’s story can reach the resolution it deserves.
Thank you for reading Echoes of The Unsolved.
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I'd also love to hear your thoughts on Christopher “Cole” Thomas’s case—feel free to share your opinions or any insights in the comments below.
Until next time, stay safe.
One of The Last Known Images Of Cole
Surveillance of Cole Shortly Before Vanishing
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