So MANY Stories Around His Disappearance #truecrimeshorts #truecrimestories #crimejunkies #podcast | Forensic Files

There are too many people tied to this case for no one to know what happened. So, after Cole Thomas disappeared,
investigators began looking at this group of people that had Cole's phone. Now, they potentially tried to access
it. They didn't turn it over right away. And two of these men are the last two who were with him, the ones who reported
him missing. So, if you've been a Crime Junkie long enough, your spidey senses may be going off because that list of
things they were doing sounds an awful lot like interfering with an investigation. So, in mid-2017, grand
jury indictments lead to the arrest of these four guys. They're all charged with concealing Cole's death, and all
but one also get hit with obstruction of justice charges. But eventually, all the
charges were dropped. But here's what we know. Multiple people were there that night Cole went missing. The phones
moved together, and then their stories changed, and they say they don't know what happened. With this many people
involved, I find that very hard to believe.

After Christopher “Cole” Thomas disappeared in North Carolina in 2016, investigators focused on multiple people connected to the night he vanished. Authorities alleged several individuals had Cole’s phone, may have attempted to access it, and failed to immediately turn it over to investigators.

In 2017, four men were indicted on charges connected to concealing Cole’s death, and several also faced obstruction of justice charges. Those charges were later dropped.

But investigators still believe multiple people know more about what happened that night. Phone data, changing stories, and conflicting accounts continue to raise questions in Cole Thomas’ disappearance.

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Brief Summary

Cole Thomas disappeared, four men charged, but all charges dropped.

Key points

The Disappearance of Cole Thomas. Cole Thomas vanished, leading investigators to a group tied to his phone.

Episode quotes

I find that very hard to believe.

Reflecting on the complexity of the case.

0:51WatchMay 21, 2026

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