When an 11-year-old went missing from a quiet Nebraska suburb in 1986, an entire task force got to work searching for him. But as days passed by, their hopes for a safe return dwindled, and the unimaginable was confirmed a week after the disappearance. It’s been 38 years since Richard Chadek III was taken in broad daylight…but that doesn’t mean the leads have all dried up.
Courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol
Episode Info
If you have any information regarding the abduction of Richard Chadek in 1986 please contact the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 402-444-6000.
Ricky’s first communion, age 7. Courtesy: Ricky’s mother, Theresa Chadek-Grooms
The last School photo of Ricky, third grade. Courtesy: Ricky’s mother, Theresa Chadek-Grooms
Ricky at Mt Michael summer camp, summer of '85 (the summer before he went missing). Courtesy: Ricky’s mother, Theresa Chadek-Grooms
Photo of Ricky's gravestone. Courtesy: Ricky’s mother, Theresa Chadek-Grooms
A photo of the Ricky Chadek memorial bank plaque. Courtesy: Ricky’s mother, Theresa Chadek-Grooms
The sketch of the suspect’s truck. Courtesy: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
An aerial photo of the crime scene. Courtesy: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
A sketch of the suspect based on the witness description. Courtesy: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Ricky’s hat found at the crime scene. Courtesy: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
An aerial shot of the bank and abduction site where Ricky’s bike was found. Courtesy: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
A photo of Dept. Mike DeChellis during our interview for this episode. Photo taken by audiochuck staff
Episode Source Material
- Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, NE): Holed-up Man Tells Pastor of ‘Pressure’ by Terry Hyland and Nick Schinker via Newspapers.com. (1)
- Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, NE): Holed-up Man Tells Pastor of ‘Pressure’ by Terry Hyland and Nick Schinker via Newspapers.com. (2)
- Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, NE): Omahan Captured After 36 Hours; To Face Questions in Chadek Case by Nick Schinker and Terry Hyland via Newspapers.com. (1)
- Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, NE): Omahan Captured After 36 Hours; To Face Questions in Chadek Case by Nick Schinker and Terry Hyland via Newspapers.com. (2)
- Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, NE): 10 Years Later, Unsolved Slaying Pains Family, Police by Angie Brunkow via Newspapers.com.
- Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, NE): DNA evidence helps in ’86 death by Jason Kuiper via Newspapers.com.