Vanished Without a Trace: The Unsolved Disappearance of Corey Edkin and the Lingering Shadows of New Columbia

A Quiet Night Turns Tragic

On the night of October 12, 1986, in the small town of New Columbia, Pennsylvania, two-year-old Corey James Edkin vanished from his home under circumstances that have puzzled investigators for decades. Corey was last seen asleep in his mother's bed when his mother, Debbie S. Derr, left the house around 12:10 a.m. to purchase a pizza from a nearby convenience store. At the time, Corey's sister, a roommate named Alberta Sones, and Sones's two young children were present in the home. Upon returning approximately 30 minutes later, Debbie discovered the front door ajar and Corey missing. Despite immediate searches and investigations, Corey was never seen again.

Initial Investigations and Theories

In the immediate aftermath of Corey's disappearance, law enforcement conducted extensive searches and interviews. Debbie's trip to the store was confirmed, and Alberta Sones passed a polygraph test. Despite these efforts, no substantial leads emerged. Several ransom calls were received by Corey's family members in the months following his disappearance, including one as late as January 1991. However, these calls did not lead to any breakthroughs, and the case remained unsolved.

A Renewed Focus: The Role of Henry Bush

Decades later, the case saw renewed attention with the involvement of Henry Gust Bush, a man who was 18 years old at the time of Corey's disappearance. Bush had connections to Debbie Derr and was reportedly present at the home in the hours leading up to Corey's disappearance. In 2020, Bush was interviewed by state police and provided inconsistent statements about his relationship with Debbie and his whereabouts during the critical time frame. A grand jury report revealed that a burn barrel in Debbie's backyard contained torn children's clothing and one of Bush's shirts the day after Corey went missing. Bush later admitted to lying to investigators about his relationship with Debbie and his presence at the home.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

As a result of his false statements, Henry Bush was charged with misdemeanor obstruction of administration of law. In March 2024, he pleaded no contest to the charge and was sentenced to one year of probation. While this legal action brought some attention back to the case, it did not provide the closure that Corey's family and the community have long sought. ...Read More

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