Alison Thia Thomas, 37, was last seen on February 13, 2023, on Flint Ridge Road in Union County, North Carolina and reported missing on February 17. Family members and detectives conducted an extensive search. Her body was found March 5 along a dirt road in the Nantahala National Forest in Jackson County, more than 200 miles from her home, and authorities determined her death to be a homicide.

The investigation led to multiple arrests in March 2023. On March 21 the Union County Sheriff’s Office announced charges against Michael Kasminoff, 51, of Monroe (first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping), Brandon Kisiah, 27, of Monroe (conspiracy to commit murder), and Amanda Griffin, 42, of Monroe (conspiracy to commit murder). On March 23 Shawn Adkins, 29, of Hinton, West Virginia, was arrested on a conspiracy to commit murder charge, and on March 31 William Mulenex, 39, of Brevard, North Carolina, was arrested on charges including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

Thomas was a mother of two daughters, remembered for her bright smile and cheerful personality; a Celebration of Life service was held March 23, 2023, at Pinedale Christian Church in Winston-Salem. Anyone with information is asked to contact Union County Crime Stoppers at 704-283-5600.

Did anyone in the community have recent contact with Alison or see her in Union County in mid-February 2023?