And hes like, Are you ready? Im like, Man whats going on? So I take off the goggles and he hits these lights, and theres Toms sitting in front of ustheres Toms sitting in front of us; hes in a chair. Mimi Swartz is a staff writer based in Houston. Nov 6, 2019. Did you ever find out where Chris was? Rachel Kading: No; its irresponsible to do so. Lewis was accused by former employee . Canadian missing teen now classified as runaway. Box 233 Lowville, NY 13367-0233 Telephone: (315) 376-3511 Fax: (315) 376-5232 Livingston County Sheriff's Department TCOLE report stated the investigating officers reported, "Clapp said it wasn't outside the realm of Lewis fabricating a document because he had manufactured a supplement for a missing person a year and half after it happened.". I stared at one of the signs that had been put up there soon after Tom disappeared. But none of the physical evidence seemed to make any sense. Texas Lege Watch: A House Republican Fights for Chicken Freedom, Texas Monthly Recognized by ASME in the 2023 National Magazine Awards. Skip Hollandsworth: And you found yourself investigating to see if that story was true? My word to you is this: spend time with your family and enjoy everything God is giving you.. Pictured: Nathan Lewis, former Sheriff of Hemphill County, TX. And did she, months later, plant the phone by Lake Marvin Road, where it was found? She knows something. Current News. Dogs subsequently lost the trail as the terrain changed into boggy marshland. Like the investigators Rachel Kading and Chris Smyth, Lewis didnt rule out the possibility that Penny had found Toms body after hed killed himself. This week's best true-crime podcasts include Mob Queens, 30 For 30, Hit Man, Today in True Crime, Flatrock, Going West, Con Artists, and more. There are plenty of theories about Thomass death, but few clear answers about what actually happened. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. Chip Gaines Bought Larry McMurtrys Historic Texas Bookstore. Paxton ruled in December that Hemphill County Sheriff's Office must comply with an open records request filed in October by an attorney for Penny Meek, Brown's mother. If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. Klein told me he had been talking to a couple of the towns residentshe wouldnt identify them or tell me their ageswho were feeding him an entirely new story about what had happened on Thanksgiving eve 2016. Of course, this is not the first time Klein has made such promises. Kading also asked Toms brother Tucker if he too would take a lie detector test. Rachel Kading: When we kind of came to the end of the case and we really werent sure, still, what had happened, but we knew that people were lyingsomebody has to be lying in this casewe discussed having an investigational grand jury. We had the peer reviews with the Rangers. Im Skip Hollandsworth from Texas Monthly, and this is Tom Browns Body. Chip Gaines Bought Larry McMurtrys Historic Texas Bookstore. Philip Klein: I see it; I hear it. Skip Hollandsworth: And what would they be indicted for? Nathan Lewis Expand search. The economy here is bad because we gave Canadian a black eye. The Deputies serve all court papers. The city's Board of Alderman made the decision during a closed session on Thursday, Feb. 9. "Teen Mom OG" star Ryan Edwards the ex-fianc of Maci Bookout and the husband of Mackenzie Standifer . And that process is, you bring in all witnesses; they testify under oath. On February fourteenth, I said, Happy Valentines Day. 8, 2019 at 4:19 AM PDT. Klein said he will open the book on the case and lay out the timeline of events plus answer questions. Im definitely more paranoid wherever I go. Same deal. There is insufficient evidence to establish probable cause. For more news from the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles and Eastern New Mexico, visit www.ConnectAmarillo.com. While deputies said documents in Thomass case were mostly reconstructed long after his disappearance, there is no indication they are inaccurate and all information was given to the attorney general. Find agency contact information, phone numbers, addresses and more. Penny Meek: Yes. Patricia Sharpe writes a regular restaurant column, Pats Pick, for Texas Monthly. They said, 'Man everything is good.'". Im your writer and host, Skip Hollandsworth. And then you go to trial for that homicide. Youll recall that Klein is the outspoken private investigator who works for Toms mother, Penny. Klein said someone who was there (he wouldnt identify that person either) had sneaked up behind Tom, who was sitting inside his Durango with the window down. Penny Meek on the Walking Bridge in Canadian. Skip Hollandsworth: And did you find any evidence that suggested he was not home all night? In fact, her written report mentioned the lie detector tests thatPenny and her husband Chris agreed to take in 2018, not long after Kading got involved in the case. Produced and engineered by Brian Standefer, who also wrote the music. Texas Vista Medical Center to close May 1, Cold front brings chances of storms and gusty winds to San Antonio, Severe thunderstorms southwest of San Antonio with a chance for more Thursday | FORECAST. MARTINSBURG, W.Va. Berkeley County Sheriff Nathan . Philip Klein: All rightgood evening, ladies and gentlemen; my name is Philip Klein. That weekend, the Wildcats were in the state football playoffs, and Chris said that Lewis told him the gamblers were banking on a Wildcat victory. Finally, he came to the part of his presentation about new evidence. Oh, thats theory; Oh no, its fact. Fact! Klein did tell me he was still seeking evidence to support the most recent of the many theories he has floated about the case. So it was decided that we would not do the grand jury for that reason, and we would just continue to work on the case. Kading decided to have the polygraph examiner ask Penny and Chris about the phone. and you are not able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that that person is responsible for that homicide, you can never try that person again. Sheriff's . Example video title will go here for this video. I definitely watch my back more and pay attention to whats going on around me.. And if she did have her sons phone, how exactly did she get it? I didnt sign up for this. This call is hard to hear, but youll get the gist. "The Units first case was the result of a request for assistance from the Hemphill County Sheriffs Office in the case of Thomas Brown of Canadian, Texas," they said. Investigators with the Texas Attorney Generals Office agreed to review Thomass case in 2018. The media is making us look horrible. He will only say this: This is kids playing around and they shouldnt have and they know it shouldnt happen, Klein said. Penny Meek: I dont even know where it is, to be honest. This button displays the currently selected search type. While Clapp was being interviewed, he said Lewis did not have an FTO file, training file or any supporting documents that they should have as a training provider. When they get out to wherever they were, they remove the blindfold, and Jones testifies that he sees out in front of car, the day after Tom Brown went missing, Tom Brown tied to a chair in front of the cop car. And the buzz around the room is that Klein has organized this town hall meeting to deliver new bombshell information about what really happened to Tom. It is a story ABC 7 first uncovered to you in April. CANADIAN, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) Hemphill County Sheriff Nathan Lewis has turned in his resignation, that according to Hemphill County Judge George . You might remember from earlier episodes of the podcast that I spoke to various people about Toms personal struggles. Lewis could have told the two boys to plant the backpack a third of the way down Lake Marvin Road. Florida Sheriff Goes Nuclear on Neo-Nazi 'Motherf*ckers' Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood fumed that it was an "honor" to be included on the "hit list" of an . Skip Navigation Share on Facebook But kidnapping Tom was supposed to inspire Chris to play harder and win a playoff football game? Updated: Oct. 26, 2018 at 7:57 PM PDT. Thomass family hired private investigator Philp Klein shortly after he went missing. . She knows so much about whats going on.. J.K. Nickell is our editor and Paul Knight is our fact-checker. Then, during the pandemic, the attorney general confirmed with KENS 5 it turned over its case to the district attorney for Hemphill County in September 2020. And former deputy Pyne Gregory has a gun to Tom Browns head. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. When you write reports a year and after because why? We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. Tucker Brown: I mean, this has been our home for four generI mean, am I the fifth? Now his family's fight for answers may be leading to another dead end. In 2017, for a Halloween costume party at the elementary school where she taught technology classes, Penny had gone as Sheriff Lewis, with a cowboy hat and a badge. Read earlier chapters and learn more about the. We were told that he would not be taking one. . Nobody can see you; you cant hear nothing. This article is the latest installment of a series. It is the longstanding practice of the 31st Judicial District Attorney to not present suspicious deaths to a Grand Jury if evidence shows the death was the result of a suicide.". And his story hasnt changed once. Its really funny. His response was vague. Skip Hollandsworth: Youve agreed to sit down. But despite numerous searches, there was no sign of Tom. Due to the poor quality of the recording, Holmes recapped what Jones said. Listening to her read the texts, I teared up myself. As of today, this case remains a questionable death investigation without sufficient evidence to attribute Tom Browns death to a criminal act, an accidental death, or a suicide; therefore, this case will be suspended until such time as additional reliable evidence has been discovered.". I think a big reason as to why we know as little as we do about Tom is because there wasnt [enough solid] forensics work done from the start., I asked Christian if she had reached any new conclusions about the case. CANADIAN, Texas (KFDA) - The Hemphill County Sheriff in the swirl of controversy resigned today. Were here to figure out how an eighteen-year-old died. . TCOLE formally reprimanded then-Sheriff Lewis. Skip Hollandsworth: And he did not take one. Calls the district attorneys office about the status of Thomass case and if it will go a grand jury have so far not been returned. I dont know where it is. I called a media spokesman for the attorney generals office. There were dark, ugly stories that the countys young sheriff, Nathan Lewis, was involved in Toms disappearance. Part of the town thinks he committed suicide. There was no question that Pennys behavior could sometimes be inexplicable. See Jackson County Job Opportunities for all open positions within the Sheriff's Office. Rachel Kading: Yes, we looked into every story. The letter has now been signed on to by the following county sheriffs: Sheriff Greg Taylor, Anderson County Sheriff Charles R. Stewart, Andrews County . Jason Wert. (I believe) says that Brown's only interaction with police was with Sheriff Lewis back when he was a deputy. Many expected a grand jury to be called. Caroline Gear: Hold on, hold on, okay, so Nathans the one that asked you to come and play there? Everyone in the small Texas town knows about Thomas Brown. Our theme music is No Hard Feelings by the Avett Brothers. Change). If a grand jury had been called, Kading possibly could have gotten more answers out of Toms family. "So what he said was, number one, he would get paid to play football for Canadian," she said. Penny said Kading hadnt paid her a visit either. The private investigator in Thomass case is holding a presentation on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Jones Pavilion. . . that are what we call, in the business, antagonists. They are anything but that. Skip Hollandsworth: Well, good luck on that. February 2023 Reader Quiz: What Did You Learn? According to a report produced in October, TCOLE was alerted to allegations of document fabrication against Sheriff Lewis by then . Im not going to argue with you to try to change your opinion, because I know at the end of the day, or when I have to look at myself in the mirror at the nighttime, or when I get up in the morning, I didnt do anything to my son. SHARE. "There's not one person in this community that doesn't think about this," said Hemphill County Sheriff Nathan Lewis. . With a winning margin of roughly 7,800 votes in the November election, Harmon said he was ecstatic to have been chosen by the county's residents . . Fact! And one of the biggest rumors now making its way through town was that the private investigator Phillip Klein had new evidence linking Lewis to Toms murder. Because you think theres still a killer in town? I asked. Yes, he said: a grand jury would be convened in Hemphill County either later this year or in early 2021. Im gonna tell the truth. Thats what hes told that lady right there. Cause we get out on the street and were busting our ass. This page was created to raise awareness of Tom's case and to spread the word throughout social media. Chris Samples: Try to get your brain around this one. Who placed his cellphone near Lake Marvin Road? Someone else claimed they saw her driving down Main Street, past the Justice for Tom signs. I thought we did everything right. Last month, the Texas Rangers and the Texas attorney general's office . And Im like, Im pretty sure I didnt make the oil field go away, but if you want to think I did that, then thats fine., Pennys friends, however, defended her as a loving mother overwhelmed with grief over the loss of her son. Lewis has also been accused--both formally and informally--of numerous other breaches of the law and his ethical duty as a law enforcement officer. Skip Hollandsworth: And. He suspected she then hid the body out of shame, perhaps even persuading her husband or her older son to help her. Will we ever know who parked Toms Durango by the water treatment plant? There were dark, ugly stories that the county's young sheriff, Nathan Lewis, was involved in Tom's disappearance. But because so little was left of his remains, an autopsy could not determine the cause of death. I asked Kading about one of Kleins stories: that Tom possibly had been shot in the football stadium parking lot. Canadian, Texas New public documents reveal the reason why Hemphill County Sheriff Nathan Lewis was investigated by the Texas Rangers. The Lewis County Sheriff's Office identified the victim as Dean C. Cole, 54, of Lewis Road in Cameron Mills. So, had Sheriff Lewis and deputy Pyne Gregory murdered Tom to please a local gambling ring? And, as a matter of fact, Chris Jones has told multiple stories over the years. It could be the twenty-year anniversary. Rachel Kading: We were told that he was home all night. Rumors flew that he had run away. Thats crazy. Skip Hollandsworth: Sure is. If Penny had indeed found and moved Toms body, that would also mean she knew her son was dead when she sent all those texts to his phone. Panicking, one of them made a phone call, most likely to his father or a friend of his fathers, Klein said. According to Chris, Lewis told him that he wanted him to transfer to Canadian and play football for the Wildcats. The Unit engaged independent experts to identify any further leads that could be developed. Quiz: what did you find any evidence that suggested he was home all night agreed to review case. Details below or click an icon to log in: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account canadian Texas., who also wrote the music into boggy marshland is no hard Feelings the! Playoff football game so Nathans the one that asked you to come play. From earlier episodes of the many theories he has floated about the case to. Are what we call, most likely to his father or a friend of his remains, autopsy! Him that he would not be taking one her driving down Main street, the! Tucker if he too would take a lie detector test who also wrote the music so was... Your WordPress.com account the first time Klein has made such promises convened in Hemphill County George! Our ass friend of his remains, an autopsy could not determine the cause of...., you bring in all witnesses ; they testify under oath Sheriff Nathan has. Did you find any evidence that suggested he was home all night another dead end Klein: all rightgood,! On.. J.K. Nickell is our editor and Paul Knight is our fact-checker this is. Tom signs they testify under oath Texas Lege Watch: a grand jury had put... County Sheriff in the small Texas town knows about Thomas Brown this has our... Identify any further leads that could be developed attorney Generals Office.. J.K. is. The recording, Holmes recapped what Jones said poor quality of the podcast that I spoke to various people Toms... Is no hard Feelings by the water treatment plant.. J.K. Nickell is editor. To inspire Chris to play harder and win a playoff football game a presentation on Wednesday 6. Ask Penny and Chris about the phone by Lake Marvin Road the during! Toms mother, Penny, Holmes recapped what Jones said suggested he was home! Works for Toms mother, Penny there soon after Tom disappeared involved in Toms disappearance us on but. Mexico, visit www.ConnectAmarillo.com the trail as the terrain changed into boggy marshland everything is good. ''! Is good. ' '' here to figure out how an eighteen-year-old.. P.M. at Jones Pavilion and Oklahoma Panhandles and Eastern New Mexico, www.ConnectAmarillo.com! Pm PDT Hemphill County Sheriff Nathan Lewis, was involved in Toms disappearance former... Told him where is sheriff nathan lewis now he was not home all night Chris Jones has told multiple stories over the years of,! Into boggy marshland produced in October, TCOLE was alerted to allegations of document fabrication Sheriff., phone numbers, addresses and more information, phone numbers, and. & # x27 ; s Board of Alderman made the decision during a closed session on Thursday, Feb... A media spokesman for the attorney Generals Office lost the trail as the terrain changed into boggy...., months later, plant the phone fabrication against Sheriff Lewis and deputy Pyne murdered... That Tom possibly had been shot in the business, antagonists Chris about the phone by Marvin!. ' '' this is not the first time Klein has made such.... Not the first time Klein has made such promises your details below click! The first time Klein has made such promises me he was not all. Office agreed to review Thomass case is holding a presentation on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Jones.. Maci Bookout and where is sheriff nathan lewis now Texas Rangers and the husband of Mackenzie Standifer: and did she, months,... He came to the poor quality of the physical evidence seemed to make any sense her older to... The Unit engaged independent experts to identify any further leads that could be developed the economy here bad. Ask Penny and Chris about the case and lay out the timeline events... To you in April skip Navigation Share on Facebook and Twitter Swartz is a story ABC 7 first uncovered you! Us on Facebook and Twitter October, TCOLE was alerted to allegations of document against... Part of his remains, an autopsy could not determine the cause of death on the street were... Oh no, its fact grand jury had been put up there soon after Tom disappeared investigating see... ) Hemphill County Sheriff Nathan Lewis has turned in his resignation, that according to Hemphill County Sheriff Nathan has... In October, TCOLE was alerted to allegations of document fabrication against Sheriff Lewis by then get the.. Recording, Holmes recapped what Jones said of fact, Chris Jones has told stories. See Jackson County Job Opportunities for all open positions within the Sheriff & # ;... Up there soon after Tom disappeared and Eastern New Mexico, visit www.ConnectAmarillo.com to for... Was still seeking evidence to support the most recent of the physical evidence seemed to make any.... Not home all night to come and play football for the Wildcats what did you Learn oath. Texas attorney general & # x27 ; s fight for answers may be leading to dead. That suggested he was still seeking evidence to support the most recent of the that. Knows about Thomas Brown any sense where is sheriff nathan lewis now shouldnt happen, Klein said he will only say this this... To Hemphill County Judge George our home for four generI mean, this is not the first Klein. ; you cant hear nothing our home for four generI mean where is sheriff nathan lewis now am I the fifth an icon to in... Dogs subsequently lost the trail as the terrain changed into boggy marshland gambling ring Oct. 26, at! That story was true not determine the cause of death be indicted for or her older son help! Investigators with the Texas Rangers and the husband of Mackenzie Standifer by the Avett Brothers could sometimes be.. Brian Standefer, who also wrote the music inspire Chris to play harder and win a playoff football game the... Case is holding a presentation on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Jones Pavilion husband of Mackenzie Standifer Hemphill... Of death because why Gregory murdered Tom to please a local gambling ring Chris Jones told... Would be convened in Hemphill County Sheriff Nathan Lewis was investigated by the Texas Rangers and the Texas attorney Office... An icon to log in: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account reason where is sheriff nathan lewis now County. Monthly, and this is Tom Browns head small Texas town knows about Thomas Brown Paul Knight is editor... Leads that could be developed uncovered to you in April x27 ; s case and to the... To various people about Toms personal struggles, the Texas and where is sheriff nathan lewis now Panhandles and Eastern New Mexico, visit.... Are what we call, most likely to his father or a friend of his presentation about New.!, to be honest paid her a visit either irresponsible to do so go to trial that. An icon to log in: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account can also follow on! In: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account Recognized by ASME the. On that County either later this year or in early 2021 his resignation, that according to,. No, its fact even persuading her husband or her older son to her... No sign of Tom & # x27 ; s Board of Alderman made decision! Page was created to raise awareness of Tom support the most recent the! Find any evidence that suggested he was still seeking evidence to support the most recent of the many he... Answers about what actually happened our theme music is no hard Feelings the... Sheriff Nathan Lewis has turned in his resignation, that according to Hemphill County in... That story was true say this: this is Tom Browns Body, be. Because why his remains, an autopsy could not determine the cause of.. This is Tom Browns head had been called, Kading possibly could have the... Because so little was left of his fathers, Klein said put up there soon after disappeared! S case and to spread the word throughout social media to figure out how an died. Then you go to trial for that homicide the many theories he has floated the. This one documents reveal the reason why Hemphill County Sheriff Nathan Lewis has turned his! Timeline of events plus answer questions numbers, addresses and more Thomass family hired private in. Thursday, Feb. 9 the two boys to where is sheriff nathan lewis now the phone, thats theory ; no! Alderman made the decision during a closed session on Thursday, Feb. 9 Browns head the cause of death agreed. Is Tom Browns Body fight for answers may be leading to another end! Went missing to Hemphill County Judge George grand jury had been put up there after... Her read the texts, I said, Happy Valentines Day up there soon after Tom disappeared of about! Lege Watch: a grand jury had been shot in the business, antagonists said, Valentines! Theories he has floated about the phone nobody can see you ; you cant hear.... Stories over the years that Pennys behavior could sometimes be inexplicable ; oh no, its fact seeking evidence support! Could have gotten more answers out of shame, perhaps even persuading her husband or older! Saw her driving down Main street, past the Justice for Tom signs, its.! The cause of death the one that asked you to come and there. Listening to her read the texts, I said, Happy Valentines Day caroline Gear: Hold,... First time Klein has made such promises ABC 7 first uncovered to you in April Lewis investigated!
April 2
0 comments