Police said they welcome a fresh set of eyes on the case of Brookley Louks, who was 19 when she was reported missing on June 24, 2002.

Louks' grandfather, John Louks, said he wanted the FBI involved from the beginning. He said Thursday that he welcomed the request.

"It was almost like (police) were trying to keep from certain things being uncovered. That's why we felt like an outside investigative force ... would be the ultimate," John Louks said.

Police said they believe Joseph Nowicki, an acquaintance of Brookley's who lived in Johnson County, killed her over a drug transaction, but he died of cancer in August 2003 and was never charged in the case, and her body has not been found.

Nowicki had been named a suspect in the case before he died at the age of 54. He denied involvement in Louks' disappearance, but he indicated to police that he knew enough to help them solve the case, Morriston reported.

During the investigation, Nowicki was put in federal custody on firearms charges.

"He did say when we interviewed him in prison, 'You want me to tell you where Brookley is at, but I am not because that's my little bit of fun,'" Greenwood police Detective Matt Fillenwarth said.

Fillenwarth said he once asked Nowicki what he thought happened to Louks.

"He looked me dead in the eye and said, 'I think she met with an ill fate,'" Fillenwarth said.

Louks, of Greenwood, used to do errands for Nowicki, who was a friend of her father's.

Previous Stories:

• September 11, 2003: Suspect's Death Brings No Leads In Missing-Woman Case
• August 31, 2003: Suspect In Case Of Missing Greenwood Woman Dies
• July 11, 2003: Grand Jury To Mull Case Of Missing Woman
• July 7, 2003: Prosecutor: Suspect Could Soon Be Charged In Woman's Disappearance
• July 4, 2003: Ailing Suspect In Woman's Disappearance Not Returning To Jail
• 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