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.

Previous Stories:

• July 3, 2003: Released Prisoner Could Go Back To Jail
• July 1, 2003: Suspect In Woman's Disappearance Ordered Released
• June 25, 2003: Suspect Hints He Could Provide Info About Missing Woman
• May 29, 2003: Missing Woman's Grandfather Denied Access To Case Info
• April 23, 2003: Missing Woman's Grandfather Goes To Court For Case Info
• January 12, 2003: Coroner: Intoxication Killed Father Of Missing Woman
• November 5, 2002: Father Of Missing Greenwood Woman Found Dead
• September 17, 2002: Search Continues For Missing Greenwood Teen
• August 22, 2002: Prosecutor: Missing Teen's Father Must Answer Questions
• July 30, 2002: Drugs May Be Connected To Greenwood Woman's Disappearance, Records Show
• July 29, 2002: Suspect In Teen's Disappearance Pleads Not Guilty To Unrelated Charge
• July 26, 2002: Suspect In Teen's Disappearance Arrested On Unrelated Charges
• July 18, 2002: Police To Reinterview Man About Missing Greenwood Teen
• July 18, 2002: Police Search Home In Case Of Missing Greenwood Teen
• July 1, 2002: Police Baffled By Disappearance Of Greenwood Woman