Ronald Dumas, Jr.
We're learning new information about the ongoing investigation into missing Â鶹´«Ã½ Realtor Ronald Dumas Jr.
WAAY 31 spoke with the family’s private investigator on Monday.
Last Friday, Dumas' family held a press conference announcing the Â鶹´«Ã½ Police Department now believes he was abducted by five people.
The family's private investigator, James Andrews, describes Ronald Dumas as a loving and devoted father—someone who would never simply walk away from his family. From the start, they believed something more was at play. While Friday’s confirmation brought some relief, Andrews says it hasn’t made things any easier. Since the news broke, more people have come forward with information—individuals too afraid to go directly to police. That’s where his team steps in.
“I just got off the phone with somebody for over an hour, and they have a lot of information. They are scared to death to talk to the police because of certain things that have happened in their past and their families. So, you know, that’s why I feel it can be a benefit to the investigation to have a third party—somebody who is not the police,†said Andrews.
The private investigator says that if anyone else had been near the five suspects the same night Dumas went missing, they could also be missing right now.
“I don’t think that Ronnie was targeted because he was Ronnie; I don’t think there was anything Ronnie did that made anybody come after him specifically. So, anybody that was around these people that night—it could have happened to them,†said Andrews.
Now, the focus is on finding Ronald—wherever he may be—and the family is asking for the public’s help.
“But if someone wants to reach out, if they want to be anonymous, our main goal is to find Ronnie. So in whatever form that is, if we can find Ronnie…Somebody knows; there are several people who know, I’m sure, and somebody knows where he’s at. If we can find Ronnie, we will let the police deal with the prosecution side of things,†said Andrews.
Andrews says he does pass along all relevant information to authorities.
Anyone with information on Dumas’ whereabouts or the five suspects wanted in connection with the case is urged to contact the Â鶹´«Ã½ Police Department at 256-427-5448 or call 911.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous can also reach out to Andrews and his team.
The reward for information still stands at $10,000—but there is a deadline. Tips must be submitted by Feb. 28.
