Ailing Suspect In Woman's Disappearance Not Returning To Jail

FRANKLIN, Ind. -- A Johnson County magistrate decided Thursday not to send an ailing suspect in the 2002 disappearance of a Greenwood woman back to jail.

Joseph Nowicki (pictured, left), whose doctors say he is dying of throat cancer, had been facing an arrest warrant because he didn't appear in court on a misdemeanor charge in September. Nowicki's attorney argued the Greenwood-area resident didn't go to court then because he was in federal custody on firearms charges.

Nowicki, 54, who was named a suspect but is not charged in the disappearance of Brookley Louks, was released from federal custody earlier this week. A federal judge ordered the released to allow Nowicki to return home to die.

Prosecutors said they don't believe Nowicki's doctors. At Thursday's hearing, the Johnson County magistrate said he would be willing to hold another hearing if prosecutors could provide new evidence.

Louks was 19 when she was reported missing June 24, 2002, and has not been seen since. Authorities believe she is dead.

Police in September said drops of what they believed to be Louks' blood were found on Nowicki's property. The blood was found during a search July 17, 2002, police said.

Louks (pictured, right) used to do errands for Nowicki, who was a friend of her father.

Nowicki has denied involvement in the disappearance.

RTV6 reported last week that Nowicki recently hinted in a letter to authorities that he has information that could help the probe.

RTV6 reported Nowicki wrote the following: "If I were to tell you all I know right now, then your case would be cleared up." RTV6 learned of the letter through a source on condition that the source not be identified.