NANTICOKE — Still without closure on Phylicia Thomas’ disappearance 10 years ago today, loved ones are to gather again this year to keep her memory alive. Thomas went missing on Feb. 11, 2004, and, though her family presumes she has died, their grief continues because investigators have not found any remains.
We just want a place to go, I think, thats it, Gower said looking toward Bailey for affirmation. A grave, someplace just to say look, this is her spot this is a peaceful resting place for her.
Baileys eyes welled up when she remembered Thomas soft spot for the down-and-out.
She was always bringing home stray dogs, Bailey said. Once she brought home two kids whose mother had left them. They grew up here and stayed with us until they turned 18.
Gower said Thomas looked beyond faults and simply cared for people.
It didnt matter if you were a bum or scum or a jerk, Gower said. It didnt matter; she didnt care.
Bailey believes her daughter's disappearance is connected to that of 18-year-old Jen Barziloski, also of Lake Township. She vanished in 2001. Barziloski's skull was found in Hunlock Creek near April of 2010. The two girls were friends.
Bailey firmly believes her daughter was killed because she got to close to those responsible for Barziloski's death. Her family received information that their daughter and Barziloski may have stumbled onto some type of *advertiser censored* operation involving young women and that may have led to their deaths. Bailey says she is taking matters into her own hands and will search areas where she has heard her daughter may have been buried.
"We do have a man who has cadaver dogs and he is going to come in April," Bailey said.