RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — Nearly a decade has passed since the disappearance of 45-year-old Montey Thomas, also known as "Duke," who vanished under mysterious circumstances in November 2014.
As the anniversary of his disappearance approaches, his family and law enforcement officials remain committed to finding answers about what happened to him.
Montey Thomas was last seen at Rick's Party Shop on Bluff Road on Nov. 21, 2014. Despite the efforts of his family and investigators, the case has gone cold.
Monety's sister, Dana Thomas, still struggles with the uncertainty of what happened to her brother.
"It's been 10 years, and it's like I still can't believe it because we haven't found him," said Dana. "We know that this is not like him to just go and disappear and not get in contact with anybody in our family so it's been difficult."
Dottie Cronise is the senior investigator with the Richland County Sheriff's Department Cold Case Unit and says rumors and misinformation have often complicated the search for clues.
"When we get a missing person’s report, a lot of times there are rumors and misinformation, and we have to track down where that information came from," Cronise explained. "And oftentimes, even though we're getting it from multiple sources, when you backtrack it, it actually comes from one specific source."
Authorities have suggested foul play may have been involved in Thomas's disappearance.
"He loved his family, and I think that’s what was so concerning when he didn’t contact his mom," Cronise said. "Something was wrong—something was terribly wrong—because he was close to his family, and he would not have allowed time to lapse without letting them know that he was okay."
For his sister, the search for answers is deeply personal.
"We know that he didn't get in a stranger's car; whatever car he got in, he knew him," Dana Thomas said. "We're just looking for answers and to find his remains so he can at least have a decent burial."
Despite the passage of time, Dana Thomas and the Richland County Sheriff's Department continue to work to close the case. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CRIME-SC.