Alma, Arkansas – October 26, 2025 – Nearly 30 years after the disappearance of 6-year-old Morgan Nick, new DNA technology has brought a long-awaited breakthrough in one of Arkansas’s most haunting missing person cases. Investigators have confirmed that a hair found in the truck of deceased suspect Billy Jack Lincks belongs to Morgan Nick — the strongest evidence yet linking him to her 1995 abduction.
What Happened
On the warm summer evening of June 9, 1995, Morgan Nick was playing with friends at a Little League baseball field in Alma, Arkansas, when she suddenly vanished. Witnesses recall that she was chasing fireflies near the bleachers and had paused to remove her shoes when a man approached her. Moments later, Morgan was gone.
When the game ended, Morgan’s mother realized her daughter was missing, triggering a frantic search that gripped the small Arkansas town. Law enforcement, volunteers, and national organizations joined the effort, but despite exhaustive searches, no trace of Morgan was ever found — until now.
The Suspect: Billy Jack Lincks
In August 1995, just two months after Morgan’s disappearance, 67-year-old Billy Jack Lincks was arrested in Van Buren, roughly eight miles from the Alma ballpark, for attempting to abduct an 11-year-old girl at a Sonic restaurant.
At the time, investigators suspected that Lincks could be connected to Morgan Nick’s disappearance, given the proximity, his criminal history, and similarities between the cases. However, forensic technology in the 1990s was limited, and police could not find physical evidence directly tying Lincks to Morgan.
He was later convicted of unrelated crimes and died in prison in 2000, leaving the case cold for more than two decades.
Breakthrough in 2024: DNA Links Lincks to Morgan Nick
In October 2024, nearly 29 years after Morgan’s disappearance, the Alma Police Department and Arkansas State Crime Lab announced a groundbreaking forensic discovery. A single hair sample recovered years earlier from Billy Jack Lincks’ red pickup truck was re-tested using advanced modern DNA sequencing technology.
The results confirmed the hair belonged to Morgan Nick, conclusively proving that she had been inside Lincks’ vehicle. Authorities now believe this finding places Lincks as the prime suspect in her abduction and probable murder.
Although Lincks died before he could face charges, the discovery provides long-sought validation for investigators and Morgan’s family, who never gave up hope of finding answers.
Ongoing Investigation: Search for Morgan’s Remains
Despite this major development, Morgan Nick’s body has not yet been located. Police continue to search potential burial sites and revisit witness statements in hopes of recovering her remains and bringing closure to her family.
The Alma Police Department, working with federal and state agencies, has renewed its appeal for anyone with information about Morgan’s disappearance or Lincks’ movements in 1995 to come forward. Investigators believe that even after three decades, new tips could still lead to Morgan’s recovery.
Community Reaction and Legacy
The Morgan Nick case has haunted Arkansas since the day she disappeared. Over the years, it inspired countless missing-child awareness efforts — including the establishment of the Morgan Nick Foundation, which supports families of missing and exploited children across the United States.
Following the DNA breakthrough, social media erupted with emotional tributes, messages of relief, and renewed calls for justice. Many expressed heartbreak that Morgan’s mother, Colleen Nick, has waited 30 years for answers, while others praised law enforcement for never giving up.
“This is the moment we’ve prayed for, but it’s not over until Morgan is brought home,” one community member wrote.
Local officials say this breakthrough also serves as a powerful example of how modern forensic science can revive long-cold cases and deliver long-overdue justice.
What Happens Next
Authorities in Alma and Crawford County continue to search for Morgan’s remains, using aerial mapping, ground-penetrating radar, and renewed witness outreach. The case remains active, with investigators working to uncover the full truth about what happened to Morgan Nick on that June evening in 1995.
Forensic teams hope that the new evidence will finally help locate Morgan’s body — giving her family, friends, and the entire Arkansas community the closure they’ve sought for nearly three decades.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
The post Major DNA Breakthrough in Morgan Nick Case: 30 Years After Her Disappearance, Investigators Confirm Link to Deceased Suspect Billy Jack Lincks first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
