Alma Police: DNA linked to Morgan Nick discovered in truck that once belonged to suspect | White River Now

ALMA, Ark. — At a press convention Tuesday morning, the Alma Police Division reported a growth in its investigation into the 1995 kidnapping of 6-year-old Morgan Nick from a Little League ballfield.

DNA matching Morgan’s mom Colleen Nick, one in every of her siblings, or one in every of her kids was confirmed to be discovered within the car of an early suspect in Morgan’s kidnapping.

Morgan was kidnapped from the parking zone of the Alma Little League ballfield at roughly 10:45 p.m. on June 9, 1995. An outline of the suspect was offered, as was the outline of a pink truck with a white camper shell that was allegedly concerned.

Alma Police detectives, in cooperation with native, state, and federal legislation enforcement officers, have spent 1000’s of hours investigating greater than 10,000 leads. That investigation continues to this present day.

One of many early individuals of curiosity was Billy Jack Lincks, a resident of Van Buren, Ark. Lincks was arrested on Aug. 29, 1995 — roughly 12 weeks after Morgan’s disappearance — for sexual solicitation of a kid. Lincks used his pink truck in the course of the offense. Police questioned Lincks relating to Morgan on Aug. 31, 1995. He denied any data of Morgan’s abduction and seemed to be truthful. Investigators moved on.

In July 2019, Alma Police detectives started reviewing the early levels of the investigation. In doing so, their consideration was drawn, as soon as once more, to Billy Jack Lincks. They positioned the truck he owned in 1995, which had been offered a number of instances within the following years. The present proprietor of the truck was not acquainted with Lincks and permitted detectives to conduct an in-depth examination of the car for proof.

On July 28, 2020, the FBI Proof Response Workforce examined the truck. Among the many assortment strategies the workforce used was that of vacuuming numerous areas inside the car. In doing so, they produced a number of “vacuum canisters” containing numerous types of matter, together with hair. The FBI retained custody of the proof.

In July 2023, Alma Police Detective Shawn Taylor discovered of superior evaluation processes accessible at Othram Laboratory, based mostly in Texas. Detective Taylor retrieved proof collected from the truck by the FBI and, on Dec. 1, 2023, submitted it to Othram Laboratory for evaluation.

On Sept. 27, 2024, Othram Laboratory despatched a report back to Detective Taylor, stating, in essence, that they decided that hair contained within the proof he submitted for evaluation was that of Colleen Nick, one in every of her siblings, or one in every of her kids.

Comply with-up interviews of members of the Nick household revealed that none of them knew Billy Jack Lincks and that none of them had ever been in his truck.

Bodily proof collected from the truck that Lincks owned when Morgan was kidnapped strongly signifies that Morgan had been in his truck.

Billy Jack Lincks died within the 12 months 2000. Morgan Nick remains to be lacking. Alma Police detectives have reached some extent the place they will focus on a single suspect to find out the circumstances surrounding Morgan’s abduction.

“A military of supporters, advocates and heroes have rallied to uncover the reality about her disappearance,” mentioned Colleen Nick, Morgan’s mom.

“He stole Morgan from me, her dad, Logan and Taryn. He didn’t see that he may by no means win. As a result of our love for Morgan – her reminiscence, her voice – outlasted his life. And that love continues to shine. Morgan’s coronary heart shines on.”

Alma Police asks that anybody with data that would assist resolve this case, please name the Nationwide Middle for Lacking and Exploited Kids at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

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