In July 1996, eight-year-old Andrew Thompson vanished along with his entire immediate family from the Chatham neighborhood on Chicago’s south side. The family home belonged to Everett Sr., who ran a local restaurant called the E.A.T. And Company. Tension had been building since February when Lydia’s brother, Kenneth White, moved in after a prison release; relatives described him as a freeloading houseguest.

On July 3, 1996, Lydia called 911 saying Kenneth threatened her with an ax; police responded but made no arrest. On July 5, Lydia phoned again and told her husband Everett Sr. that Kenneth was chasing her with an ax. Everett Sr. left work and never returned. Kenneth later arrived at the restaurant driving the family van, claimed Everett Sr. had been arrested for a car crash, and was seen with red smears on his white shoes. The family was reported missing on July 17; Kenneth told officers the family had taken an impromptu trip and gave inconsistent destinations. He sold the van to a scrapyard and forged Lydia’s signature to sell the house; the van was crushed and the house gutted.

Who knew the Thompsons or saw them around early July 1996 and can help fill in what happened to Andrew and his family?