Family of Phylicia Thomas still looking for answers 14 years later
NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WOLF) -- It’s been 14 years since 22-year-old Phylicia Thomas of Nanticoke vanished. Her body never found and no arrests made in the case.
But her family and friends have not given up hope of finding out what happened to her.
Each year on the anniversary of Phylicia Thomas’ disappearance, members of the community gather here in Patriot Square to keep her memory alive. And they’re confident that this year will be the last.
A group of people gathered on Patriot Square in Nanticoke Sunday evening, holding candles and singing “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd.
The song was a favorite of Phylicia Thomas – who vanished at the age of 22 fourteen years ago.
“Phylicia was like mother Nanticoke. When somebody didn’t have a place to sleep, she brought them home, you know, they’re hungry, she brought them home. She was just there for anybody that needed her, you know, everybody loved her,” Thomas’ mother, Pauline Bailer, said.
Phylicia disappeared on February 11, 2004.
And every year since then, a candlelight vigil has been held on the anniversary of her disappearance to keep her memory alive.
But with every year that’s passed, their questions about what happened to Phylicia have gone unanswered.
According to our newsgathering partners at the Times Leader, Bailey believes she was killed while attending a house party in Hunlock Township.
They’ve been working with State Police over the years, but she along with other family and friends have done their own investigations.
“We had cadaver dogs hit on some places and then we had some people come forward and tell us things that I kind of want to hold back on because I want to get this over with,” Bailey said.
“We just got two big huge tips that tell us the same thing and its absolutely totally different people. So that makes us know that what was told to us in 2014 is the same what’s happening in 2018,” family friend Judy Fisher said.
They’re still urging more people to come forward if they have information – and say they can remain completely anonymous.
Their main goal – bringing closure to this heart-wrenching case.
“I don’t think it’ll ever be okay, you know? I don’t think it will ever be okay, but it will be the start of the healing process once we bring her home and maybe we can start getting over it, you know,” Bailey said.
“Cause if its your daughter or her daughter or his daughter or her daughter, I’m going to be here helping them. Its about all of us getting together as humans, as people who love one another, and helping the next person,” Fisher said.
Phylicia’s family and friends say they’re hoping to meet with State Police next week and relay some of those tips.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Bill O’Boyle or Ed Lewis with the Times Leader.
