Butler County investigators follow up on information in missing persons case

The Butler Co. Sheriff's Office and a Sedgwick County K-9 team are searching for clues in the disappearance of Ricky L. Nelms.

EL DORADO, Kan. (KSNW) — The Butler County Sheriff's Office searched an area in the southern part of the county in connection with a missing persons case.

In May, the sheriff's office requested information from the public in two cases: Frankie “Punkie” Harrod and Ricky L. Nelms. Although no body was found, three people were tried and convicted of his murder, with one still serving his prison sentence.

“He provided us with some information recently, and as we questioned and spoke with him, he revealed another person who had been missing since 1988,” said Butler County Sheriff's Detective Glenn Hopper.

This individual was named Ricky L. Nelms. Nelms' disappearance had not yet been linked to Harrod's.

Hopper says the man now in prison for Harrod's death has cooperated and told investigators he was responsible for burying Harrod and Nelms. After asking the public for help last month, Hopper said he received daily tips from the public.

One tip they're following up on involves Nelms' body, which led investigators to search a hedge Tuesday in southern Butler County. The Sedgwick County Emergency Management K9 Search and Rescue Team is assisting in the search of the area.

“We don't really consider prosecuting someone who has a prior conviction,” Hopper said. “We are just looking for information to tell us where the remains are so we can return them to their loved ones.”

If you have any information that could help investigators, call 316-322-8817 or 866-484-5924 or email [email protected].