Hi all who are following this thread. I am Cole's Aunt. You can always get info from my fb page find cole thomas. I will be glad to try and answer any questions that I can. Cole is an electrician apprentice and has been traveling all over to different job sites. He resides in FL. His last job site was in MINN. He met 2 guys on that job site. He only knew them for 2 weeks before he went missing. We are not sure why he traveled with them to NC. But were told, one of the guys is from Goldsboro/Dunn and they went to his family's for Thanksgiving dinner. This was later confirmed to be a lie from one of the guys. Cole did not tell any family member he was going to NC. In fact, he told us that he had to be at work first thing Friday morning. So I ask you, why did he go 17 hours one way, knowing he had to be at work the next day? Why didn't he tell any of his family he was going to NC? If he was going anywhere for Thanksgiving, why did he not drive 5 hours to be with his other aunt and cousin, instead of 17 hours? My opinion is that he was "made" to go. What we know: The last known confirmed sighting was by a video camera from Handy Mart in Mt. Olive, NC. In the pic, he is wearing black pants, blue shirt and no coat. There has been no trace or evidence that Cole was even in Benson, except from the 2 guys account. Cole was not in his vehicle, it was still in MINN. The blue chevy blazer belongs to one of the guys. On the night in question, the 2 guys stated that Cole was driving(this is confirmed, he was driving away from store in Mt. Olive), and for some reason became panicked and drove off interstate into Benson, stopped at the intersection of Morgan and Elm St, 1 1/2 blocks from a Police Station, and jumped out and ran off. One story from guy 2, said he followed Cole, they talked for an hour and walked off in different directions., Guy 1 said he stayed in the car and guy 2 came back. A police Officer, walked up to the car and questioned the guys and they told the story of Cole (all mentioned above). Supposedly, the officer and guys searched for Cole, but could not find him. (My opinion?, this is to establish an alibi for the 2 guys, we do not believe Cole was even in Benson). On to the guy's story. They said Cole took off wearing a red shirt, black pants and a black coat. He left his phone and keys to his truck, but took the keys to the blazer with him. Later the keys to the blazer were found under it. Later, it was discovered that guy 1 and 2 went back to MINN, with Cole's phone and keys. when guy 1 came back to NC to be interviewed, a week after Cole went missing, his blazer was searched and Cole's dark green coat was in there. He gave police the green coat, keys and phone. All three phones have been pinged and it was determined that the phones were all together, does not mean that Cole was with his phone, in Benson. About 2 weeks after that, the 2nd guy was brought back to Benson for questioning. Both guys stated there was a drug deal, named who they bought from. There were no drug traces in the vehicle, nor cash and none are in custody for doing a drug deal. As of today, both guys have never been in custody, other than for questioning in the beginning, and are still free. The Benson PD has lead this investigation since day one. Cole's parents have been in Benson, since learning of Cole's disappearance the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The first week after he went missing, CUE, center for missing persons, came to Benson, per the family's request. Cue has been waiting on ready to go in with their own resources. They are 85 percent made up of current law enforcement and retired law enforcement. They have boats, dogs, horses, planes, helicopters, drones, off road vehicles and atvs ready to go and the accreditation of many certificates of training, not to mention, the countless references of other law enforcement, state representatives, governors, <<<< you see where I am going with this? this list is endless. They are from NC, but for some reason, the Benson PD has never heard of them?? They are being denied in to help along side the LE and SBI. The father of Cole has begged and pleaded with the chief to even sit down, face to face with the leader of CUE. Chief refuses. And Chief Edwards, has denied them access numerous times to help. We do not know why, other than he states, " any search organization will contaminate evidence". But he sent out a release to locals to go out and search their property and buildings. Now I am no expert, but which group would contaminate evidence more? Another thing, a warrant was issued for all three phones, based on the report of a person who was not even in NC at the time and who stated that the 2 guys called him and told him what happened to Cole. All these names are listed on the warrant, but only one name was released to carry the burden of proof from the accounts of 3 others, and he is the one missing. Why are the other 3 or even 2 names not being released by the PD, SBI or even the media outlet that leaked that Cole was in Benson doing a big meth deal, that there is NO PROOF OF and cannot be verified because there is no evidence other than what 3 guys said. Let me tell you, Cole has had his problems in the past, he had overcome them and trying to get on his feet with doing this job of electrician apprentice. He graduated, Salutatorian of a class of over 300. He also earned his AA from North Florida Community College while in high school. He received a merit scholarship to the University of Florida where he pursued a major in sports medicine. He is very intelligent and family oriented. He would not just jump out of a vehicle unless he was threatened and feared for his life. And he would not go somewhere, anywhere without letting a family member know. We are a close knit family and never go a day without talking to each other. So, now you know what we know. Hope this clarifies some of your questions. Thanks for listening.
