OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A judge has ordered a death certificate issued for Tyler "Ty" Thomas, a Peru State College student who disappeared nearly three years ago after encountering a fellow student now serving prison time for raping another teen.
Thomas was 19 when she disappeared after leaving a party. Authorities say Joshua Keadle told them he and Thomas had sex in his vehicle the night she disappeared. Keadle later told investigators that Thomas threatened to report he had raped her.
Keadle is serving 15 to 20 years for the 2008 rape of a 15-year-old Fremont girl. He has not been charged in Thomas' disappearance.
Thomas' mother is suing state college officials and Keadle for wrongful death. Attorney Vince Powers says the death certificate is necessary for the lawsuit to proceed.
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