In May 2021, the life of 19-year-old John Paul Parton took a dark and mysterious turn, leading to his disappearance from High Ridge, Missouri. On May 16, after returning home from work, Parton informed his parents he was going camping with friends and would be back the following day. However, a phone call later that night revealed a more complicated situation.
Parton confessed to his parents that he and three friends had committed a burglary in Jefferson County, stealing $2,000 in cash and drugs. He expressed guilt and mentioned a dispute among the group over how to divide the stolen items. That phone call was the last time his family heard from him. His parents reported him missing on May 28, stating that it was highly uncharacteristic for him to be out of contact for so long.
The circumstances surrounding Parton's disappearance grew more complex as details emerged about his connection to another recent death. Just weeks before he went missing, Parton had been present at a party in April 2021 where 19-year-old Derontae Martin died from a gunshot wound to the head. While initial reports suggested suicide, Parton confided in his parents that he believed Martin had been murdered. This belief was later supported by a coroner's jury which ruled Martin's death was a result of violence, not suicide. Parton was not among those who testified at the inquest, as he had already been reported missing. His parents have wondered if this knowledge, coupled with the disagreement over the burglary, played a role in what happened to their son.
For nearly three years, the case remained cold, leaving his family in a state of agonizing uncertainty. A significant breakthrough occurred in March 2024, when Jefferson County detectives received new information from a witness. This led to the arrest of Thomas E. 'Tedo' Gamble, 21, in Louisiana on May 1, 2024. Gamble was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, tampering with physical evidence, and abandonment of a corpse in connection with Parton's disappearance and presumed death. According to witness testimony, Gamble allegedly shot Parton on May 18, 2021, just two days after he was last seen. The witness claimed to have been driving a car with Parton in the front passenger seat when Gamble, seated behind him, fired the fatal shot. Another witness reported that Gamble confessed to the killing and was later seen attempting to clean the vehicle with bleach. In a recorded conversation, Gamble allegedly admitted to burning Parton's body in a bathtub. Despite these developments and the ongoing investigation, John Paul Parton's remains have not been located.Last Seen: May 16, 2021
