Account
Oct 15, 2013
May 26, 2023
James
Ehrgott
91
73
72 inches
190 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
In the summer of 2006, a 73-year-old man named James F. Ehrgott vanished from his life in Spokane, Washington, leaving behind a community that would only learn of his fate through the confession of a convicted killer. Ehrgott was last seen on July 2, 2006, at the Sportsman Cafe on North Market Street. In the days that followed, his mail and newspapers began to accumulate, a silent testament to his sudden absence. His gold Pontiac Sunfire was discovered on July 12, not in the possession of its elderly owner, but being driven by a man with a violent past, John Wayne Thomson. Thomson, who had three prior convictions for rape, was unknown to Ehrgott's family, and his connection to the missing man would soon unravel a tragic and violent story. The investigation into Ehrgott's disappearance took a dark turn when John Wayne Thomson was arrested in Victorville, California, a month later for an attempted carjacking. Following his arrest, Thomson confessed to a string of violent crimes, including the murders of Charles Ray Hedlund in California and Lori Hamm in Washington. He also admitted to killing James Ehrgott. According to his confession, he encountered Ehrgott at High Bridge Park, and after Ehrgott allegedly made advances toward him, Thomson became enraged. He stated that he initially only intended to kidnap Ehrgott and steal his car, but while driving around Spokane, he shot him in the head. Thomson then stole Ehrgott's car and credit cards, and disposed of his body under a bridge near a creek in a rural area of Idaho, though he could not provide a specific location. Despite extensive searches by law enforcement, James Ehrgott's remains have never been found. Authorities, however, believe Thomson's confession to be credible. John Wayne Thomson was subsequently convicted of the murder of Charles Ray Hedlund in California and sentenced to death in 2014. He was never tried for the murders of James Ehrgott or Lori Hamm. In May 2024, Thomson died of natural causes while on death row in a California prison, taking the secret of Ehrgott's final resting place with him. The case of James Ehrgott is a somber reminder of a life cut short by senseless violence. Though a confession brought a measure of clarity to his disappearance, the inability to recover his body has left his family and community without the closure of a proper farewell. His car was recovered, and his killer was brought to justice for other crimes, but the full story of his final moments and the location of his remains remain an unsolved part of his tragic case.
Jul 02, 2006
Spokane
Washington
Spokane County
99207
No
14379
Spokane Police Department
Spokane
Washington
Spokane County
99260
Jenna Ittner
Secretary
1100 West Mallon Ave, Washington
5096254100
Local
Law Enforcement
06-210191
2006-07-14
Spokane Police Department
Gray or Partially Gray
Brown
Brown
No
06/26/2026
