Looking for a Delaware County man who went missing 16 years ago

Monday, April 4th 2005, 11:52 am

By: News On 6

Delaware County investigators are pursuing new leads in a cold case dating back to 1988. Sheriffâ€™s deputies spent the day searching for the body of a man who vanished from the small town of Kansas, Oklahoma nearly two decades ago.

The News on 6's Heather Lewin has the story.

"I believe he was murdered." Late September of 1988 was the last time Cheryl Hughes saw her dad. She says 60-year old Johnnie Ball, husband and father of six, was a kind, hard working man who would never abandon his family. As years passed with no word. Ball was declared dead and Hughes made it her mission to find his body. "I've heard he was shot, that he was beat up and killed, but I don't know. We need some closure.â€ Now, more than 16 years later they may finally get some.

Tips given to family members led police to search an abandoned well for Ball's remains. While they have no proof of foul play, family members tell me they believe Ball was murdered because of what he knew. "My Dad was supposed to know of a killing or two, a grave or two down by the river and he told my uncle he was working on a deal that if it went through he'd be set for life."

Hughes may never know whether or not her father got that money or was killed because of it. His last night at home, family members say Ball left around midnight when a truck pulled up and honked. He came back the next morning, got some clothes and his dog and never returned. "I think he was planning on being gone for a time maybe, but I'm sure he's dead." Sure because finally, people are talking.

Larry Barnett with the Delaware County Sheriff's Office: "We've had some tips that years ago somebody might have dumped a body in this well." After hours of searching on Monday, authorities turned up the sole of a man's shoe and little more. It became apparent to Hughes; her answers may not lie at the bottom of the abandoned well hole. â€œIt's disappointing, but I've been disappointed before. We'll move on to the next place and go through it again."