### Breakthrough Announced in Morgan Nick's 1995 Disappearance Case

ALMA, Ark. – In a poignant press conference held in Alma on Tuesday, authorities made a significant announcement in the long-standing case of Morgan Nick, the 6-year-old who vanished on June 9, 1995. The Alma Police Department officially named Billy Jack Lincks as a suspect in her disappearance, marking a pivotal turn in the nearly three-decade-old mystery.

Morgan's disappearance has haunted her family and community for years. On the fateful evening of June 9, 1995, Morgan attended a little league baseball game with her mother, Colleen Nick. During the game, she wandered off with friends to catch fireflies but was later left alone and vanished without a trace. Efforts by the FBI, local authorities, and her family had, until now, failed to yield definitive answers.

Authorities believe Morgan was abducted from a parking lot near the baseball field around 10:45 p.m. Witnesses at the time reported seeing a red truck with a white camper shell, which was thought to be linked to the crime.

The breakthrough came in 2021 when the FBI connected Billy Jack Lincks, a World War II veteran and Crawford County native, to Morgan's abduction. Lincks, a resident of Van Buren since the late 1970s, had attempted to abduct an 11-year-old girl just two months after Morgan's disappearance, using a red truck similar to the one described by witnesses. Despite being questioned about Morgan's case, Lincks denied any involvement, and the investigation initially moved on. Convicted of sexual solicitation of a child, he died in prison in 2000.

Recent advancements in DNA technology enabled investigators to re-examine the evidence collected from Lincks's truck, now owned by someone unacquainted with Lincks. The FBI Evidence Response Team recovered hair samples from the vehicle, which were later tested through an advanced DNA system discovered by Alma Detective Shawn Taylor. The results, received on September 27, 2024, indicated the hair belonged to either Morgan's mother, Colleen Nick, or a member of her family. Given that the Nick family had no known association with Lincks or his truck, it was strongly inferred that Morgan had been inside the vehicle.

Alma Police Chief Jeff Pointer underscored the significance of this finding, officially naming Billy Jack Lincks as the main suspect in Morgan's disappearance. While this development marks a substantial step forward, the search for Morgan and a complete understanding of what transpired remains ongoing.

Colleen Nick also addressed the media, expressing her gratitude for the relentless efforts to uncover the truth about her daughter’s disappearance. “He stole Morgan from me, her dad, Logan, and Taryn. He didn’t see that he could never win because our love for Morgan – her memory, her voice – outlasted his life. And that love continues to shine. Morgan’s heart shines on,” she said.

Authorities continue to seek the public's assistance in resolving the remaining questions surrounding Morgan's disappearance, urging anyone with information to come forward.