During a press conference on Tuesday, the Alma Police Department in Arkansas revealed a significant development in the Morgan Nick case: DNA discovered in a truck once owned by the primary suspect has been linked to Morgan.
On June 9, 1995, the six-year-old was abducted from a parking lot near Wofford Field in Alma while attending a Little League game. Morgan’s mother, Colleen Nick, recounted the moment in a 2019 interview, saying, “When I couldn’t see Morgan, my heart started to beat really fast. We were somewhere we hadn’t been before. She wouldn’t go anywhere by herself.”
In 1995, the police collected statements from witnesses present at the scene. Alma Police Chief Jeff Pointer noted that a suspect description along with details about a red truck with a white camper shell, allegedly involved in the abduction, were provided.
Billy Jack Lincks soon emerged as a person of interest. Although he was questioned in 1995, he maintained that he had no knowledge of Morgan’s disappearance.
In July 2019, the Alma Police Department revisited the case. By 2020, investigators tracked down Lincks’ former truck—Iit had changed hands multiple times. The current owner permitted a search, during which police vacuumed various areas inside the vehicle, collecting canisters containing hair and other materials. The evidence was subsequently handed over to the FBI.
A year later, the FBI expressed confidence in getting closer to identifying whoever was responsible for Morgan’s abduction but needed additional information about Lincks. In a public release, they emphasized that any details about Lincks’ life, no matter how trivial, were valuable.
In 2023, a detective from Alma PD discovered an advanced DNA analysis process from Othram Labs capable of developing DNA profiles from hair samples, even without roots.
By late 2023, authorities received the evidence back from the FBI and sent it to Othram for analysis. Chief Pointer revealed on September 27, 2024, that the analysis confirmed the hair belonged to Colleen Nick, one of her siblings, or one of her children.
The Alma PD reinterviewed the Nick family and found no connections to Lincks or any presence in a similar truck during that time. Pointer stated that this evidence “strongly indicates” that Morgan was in Lincks’ truck. Notably, Lincks passed away in 2000.
Chief Pointer remarked that law enforcement has dedicated extensive time and resources to more than 10,000 leads in the case, but he reiterated the critical point: Morgan Nick is still missing.
“We’ve reached a phase where we can focus on one suspect to understand the circumstances surrounding Morgan’s abduction,” he said. However, many questions about the incident persist. “How was she taken from the ball field? What happened afterward? Did Lincks have assistance in abducting Morgan or hiding his crime for all these years? And where is Morgan now?”
The investigation continues to be active. Authorities are reinterviewing associates of Lincks and urging anyone with information that could help solve the case to contact them at 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678).
At the conclusion of the press conference, Colleen Nick addressed the attendees, expressing gratitude for the supporters and advocates who have sought the truth about Morgan’s disappearance.
“He stole Morgan from me, he stole her from her dad, and he stole her from Logan and Taryn,” she said, referring to Morgan’s siblings. “But he didn’t see that he could never win. Because our love for Morgan — her memory and her voice — outlasted his life.”
Colleen remains hopeful that their love will continue to shine. “That love continues to shine. Her heart — Morgan’s heart shines on,” she stated.
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Morgan Nick or Billy Jack Lincks, please call 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678).