The Missing Christopher “Cole” Thomas

The Missing
Christopher “Cole” Thomas
Benson, North Carolina

🔎 WHAT HAPPENED TO COLE THOMAS?

❗ NEARLY 10 YEARS HAVE PASSED. HIS FAMILY IS STILL WAITING FOR ANSWERS.

Christopher “Cole” Thomas was only 22 years old when he vanished under deeply troubling circumstances in Benson, North Carolina, during Thanksgiving weekend in 2016.

He left home with plans for the future, a new job, and an opportunity to build a life for himself. But somewhere along the way, something happened, and Cole never made it home.

💔 His family has spent years searching, asking questions, and hoping someone will finally come forward with the truth.

📍 LAST SEEN: Benson, North Carolina
📅 November 25, 2016
🕒 Approximately 3:00 AM
👤 Age at disappearance: 22

Cole was originally from Florida and had recently relocated to Minnesota in October 2016 to begin an electrical apprenticeship working on a commercial solar farm.

He was traveling with two coworkers, Jeremy Brian Carpenter and Julian Valles Jr., on a road trip from Minnesota to North Carolina.

According to the coworkers’ accounts, the group had stopped in the Mount Olive area for an alleged drug transaction. They later claimed that Cole became paranoid and began driving erratically.

Around 3:00 AM on November 25, the vehicle reportedly stopped near the intersection of North Elm Street and East Morgan Street in Benson.

According to the accounts given by his companions, Cole suddenly got out of the vehicle and ran away into the darkness. One of the men reportedly went after him but returned approximately 90 minutes later without Cole.

But there are troubling questions surrounding the timeline and circumstances of his disappearance.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage and phone data, and the accounts provided by those traveling with Cole became part of an extensive investigation.

Cole’s family has said they were in contact with him shortly before he disappeared and that his messages seemed normal.

Then, suddenly, he was gone.

⚖️ THE INVESTIGATION:

In July 2017, four men were indicted on charges related to the concealment of a death and, for some, obstruction of justice.

Those charged included:

• Jeremy Brian Carpenter
• Julian Valles Jr.
• Rudolfo “Rudy” DeLeon Jr.
• Anthony Ridell James Jr.

In September 2019, prosecutors dismissed the pending charges, explaining that the decision was made to avoid compromising a potential future homicide prosecution.

The dismissal was not a finding that Cole’s disappearance had been resolved.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and Benson Police Department have continued to investigate the case as a suspected homicide.

Cole’s body has never been recovered.

👤 PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:

• Name: Christopher “Cole” Thomas
• Age at disappearance: 22
• Height: 6’1″
• Weight: Approximately 230 lbs
• Race: White
• Hair: Blond
• Eyes: Blue
• Build: Approximately 230 lbs

🔎 DISTINCTIVE IDENTIFYING FEATURE: Cole has a tribal-style tattoo on his left chest, extending toward his upper left arm and shoulder.

👕 CLOTHING WORN WHEN LAST SEEN:

• Blue T-shirt
• Black long-sleeve undershirt
• Black pants
• Blue and white baseball cap
• Dark-colored Hurley shoes

💰 REWARDS AVAILABLE:

• $10,000 family reward for information leading to Cole’s location.
• $50,000 State of North Carolina reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.

📢 SOMEONE KNOWS SOMETHING.

Did you live in Benson or the surrounding areas in November 2016?

Were you near North Elm Street or East Morgan Street that night?

Did you see Cole, the vehicle, or the people he was traveling with?

Did you hear something, witness something, or notice something unusual that you didn’t think was important at the time?

📞 IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
🚔 BENSON POLICE DEPARTMENT 919-894-2091
🔎 NORTH CAROLINA STATE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION 919-779-8188

❤️ PLEASE DON’T LET COLE’S NAME BE FORGOTTEN.

His family has spent nearly a decade living with unanswered questions. They deserve the truth. Cole deserves to be found.

🙏 If you know something, please find the courage to come forward.

Sources:
Cole Thomas Vanished Near Benson in 2016 — $50,000 Reward Still
Three Arrested in Connection with Disappearance of Cole Thomas
MISSING: Christopher “Cole” Thomas | Crime Junkie Podcast
Christopher Cole Thomas – The Charley Project
The Disappearance of Christopher Cole Thomas