Where Is Ricky Tokars Today and What Do Records Confirm?

Where is Ricky Tokars today, and what do verified sources say?

The current location of Ricky Tokars is not publicly reported by credible news outlets or court records. After the prosecutions stemming from his mother Sara Tokars’s murder, he and his younger brother have lived privately and outside the media spotlight. Major newspapers and magazines that have revisited the case for decades have not disclosed his address, workplace, or city of residence, and there is no verified public statement from Ricky about his whereabouts. Coverage around the 2020 death of his father, Fred Tokars, likewise did not report Ricky’s location or current life details, reflecting the family’s long-standing preference for privacy [1][2][3].

This article does not publish personal addresses or unverified leads for private individuals. Any future update would rely only on clear, reputable reporting that the subjects themselves have chosen to make public.

Who is Ricky Tokars, and how did he factor into the investigation?

Ricky Tokars is the elder son of Sara and Fred Tokars. He was a child when his mother was killed during Thanksgiving weekend in 1992. Reporting from the time and later retrospectives consistently note that Ricky, then 6 years old, quickly memorized and repeated the assailants’ license plate information, which helped investigators identify suspects and unravel the murder-for-hire scheme. His presence in the car and his recollection of critical details were repeatedly cited during the ensuing investigations and trials [1][3].

Can you see the key figures and outcomes at a glance?

Yes. The table below summarizes the principal individuals and the outcomes verified in court records and major reporting. It focuses on confirmed convictions and current status as reported by reputable sources.

Person	Role and Verified Outcome
Ricky Tokars	Child witness who assisted investigation; current whereabouts not publicly disclosed in credible sources [1][3].
Mike Tokars	Ricky’s brother; lived privately; current whereabouts not publicly disclosed in credible sources [1][3].
Sara Tokars	Victim of a murder-for-hire killing in 1992; case catalyzed federal and state prosecutions [1][3][4].
Fred Tokars	Convicted in federal court on racketeering counts and in state court for murder; received life sentences; died in prison on May 13, 2020 [1][2][5].
Curtis Rower	Identified as the gunman; convicted and serving a life sentence in Georgia custody, per public reporting and official records access portals [4][8].
Eddie Lawrence	Middleman who connected the plot; pleaded guilty and testified; received a life sentence as reported; custody can be checked through Georgia DOC search [3][4][8].

What happened to Sara Tokars during Thanksgiving weekend in 1992?

On Thanksgiving weekend in 1992, Sara Tokars was abducted as she returned home with her two sons. She was fatally shot in front of the children, a crime that immediately drew intense scrutiny and ultimately resulted in a murder-for-hire case against her husband, attorney Fred Tokars. Investigators determined that the killing was orchestrated rather than random, and the inquiry focused quickly on associates tied to Fred’s law practice and business dealings [3][4].

where is ricky tokars today case overview

What motive did prosecutors present, and what financial facts were established?

Prosecutors presented a financial motive. Reporting and court records describe a $1.75 million life insurance policy taken out on Sara before the killing and detail concerns that Sara knew about financial misconduct tied to Fred’s dealings. Federal prosecutors later secured convictions against Fred Tokars on racketeering counts connected to his broader conduct, separate from the state murder case. The financial backdrop and the policy value were central to the state’s narrative of motive [3][5].

What evidence tied the plotters to the crime?

Key evidence included the immediate identification of a license plate number by young Ricky, subsequent cooperation and statements by the participants, and corroborating records that aligned with the state’s theory of a staged attack. The gunman, Curtis Rower, and go-between, Eddie Lawrence, were identified in reporting and proceedings. Accounts from those prosecutions describe how the plot was arranged and executed, and how investigators assembled a timeline that led to the arrests and later convictions [1][3][4][7].

What were the criminal outcomes for Fred Tokars in federal and state courts?

Fred Tokars was first convicted in federal court on racketeering-related charges and received a life sentence. He was later prosecuted in Georgia state court for Sara’s murder and was convicted, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. These outcomes are documented in contemporary coverage and remain the definitive legal conclusions of those prosecutions [1][5].

Is Fred Tokars alive today, and when did he die?

No. Fred Tokars died in federal custody on May 13, 2020. His death was reported by major outlets covering the case and confirmed in official statements at the time. The federal and state sentences remained in place when he died [1][2].

Where are Curtis Rower and Eddie Lawrence now, according to public records?

Public reporting and available records indicate that the gunman, Curtis Rower, is serving a life sentence in Georgia custody. Eddie Lawrence, who acted as a middleman and cooperated with authorities, pleaded guilty and received a life sentence as reported by longform coverage of the case. Readers can verify current custody status by using the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search portal. The portal is the authoritative source for up-to-date incarceration and parole information for state inmates [3][4][8].

What is publicly known about the Tokars sons’ lives after the trials?

The sons, including Ricky, have largely stayed out of public view. News organizations that cover cold cases or legal anniversaries periodically revisit the prosecution and its significance, but they do not report current personal details about the sons. There is no verified public record of Ricky’s current residence, employment, or ongoing commentary about the case. This absence of detail is consistent across reputable sources and reflects a long-standing effort to maintain privacy after an intensely public tragedy [1][2][3].

Which documentaries, longform features, or trial resources cover the case for context?

Several respected outlets and programs have published in-depth coverage or aired content on the Tokars case. These sources focus on the timeline, charges, testimony, and judicial outcomes rather than the private lives of the surviving family members.

Atlanta Magazine’s comprehensive narrative on Sara Tokars’s murder and the prosecutions [3].
PoliceMag’s analytical feature on the investigation and case outcomes [4].
Oxygen’s Abuse of Power coverage summarizing finance-related motive and convictions [5].
People.com’s reporting on Fred Tokars’s death in prison in 2020 [2].
Court TV’s case archive page with trial context and materials [7].

What key dates and sentences are established in the record?

The timeline below lists verified milestones and outcomes reported by major outlets. Exact dates of private family movements are not included because they are not part of public court records or authoritative reporting.

Event	Verified Outcome or Detail
Thanksgiving weekend, 1992	Murder of Sara Tokars during a staged abduction; sons present [3][4].
Early investigation	Child witness Ricky provides license plate details that help identify suspects [1][3].
Mid-1990s federal case	Fred Tokars convicted on federal racketeering counts; receives life sentence [5].
1997 state trial outcome	Fred Tokars convicted of murder and conspiracy in Georgia; life without parole imposed [1].
Sentences of accomplices	Gunman Curtis Rower and middleman Eddie Lawrence convicted; life sentences reported; custody status verifiable through Georgia DOC portal [3][4][8].
May 13, 2020	Fred Tokars dies in federal prison; sentences remained in effect at death [1][2].

How can readers independently verify custody status for state and federal defendants?

For Georgia state prisoners, use the Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Query to check current custody locations, parole eligibility status, and offender details. To look up federal prisoner histories, including deceased inmates, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. These official portals provide the most reliable current data [8][9].

Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Search: GDC Offender Query [8]
Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator: BOP Inmate Locator [9]

Why does this page avoid unverified social media claims or rumor threads?

Unverified social media claims often conflate different cases, repeat outdated information, or circulate inaccurate personal details. This page relies on court outcomes and established reporting from recognized outlets. When a detail is not confirmed in reputable sources or official records, it is not presented here. That approach reflects a commitment to accuracy and to the privacy of surviving family members [1][2][3].

What related reading might help with context on reporting and remembrance?

For readers interested in how other cases are handled with similarly careful, source-backed reporting, see our profiles on memorials and community impact pieces. These are separate stories but reflect the same standards of sourcing and tone:

When will this page be updated, and what qualifies as a reliable update?

This page is reviewed periodically for changes tied to official records or significant, credible reporting. Qualifying updates include:

New appellate decisions or docket entries made available through public court systems.
Official Georgia DOC or BOP changes to custody or parole listings.
Substantive reporting from established outlets that publish verifiable, on-the-record details.

Anonymous tips, rumor threads, and unsourced claims do not qualify as reliable updates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where is Ricky Tokars today?

No credible source has published Ricky Tokars’s current location or daily life details. Established reporting confirms he has lived privately since the trials [1][3].

Did Ricky Tokars enter witness protection or change his name?

There is no verified reporting that Ricky entered witness protection or legally changed his name. Reputable outlets do not state this, and official records available to the public don’t confirm such a step [1][2][3].

Is Fred Tokars still alive?

No. Fred Tokars died in prison on May 13, 2020. Coverage at the time confirmed his death while serving life sentences resulting from federal and state cases [1][2].

What sentence did Fred Tokars receive for Sara’s murder?

He received a life sentence without the possibility of parole in Georgia state court, after previously receiving a life sentence in federal court on racketeering counts [1][5].

What happened to the gunman, Curtis Rower?

Curtis Rower was identified as the gunman, convicted, and is serving a life sentence in Georgia custody. Current status can be checked through the Georgia DOC offender search portal [4][8].

What happened to the middleman, Eddie Lawrence?

Eddie Lawrence pleaded guilty, cooperated with authorities, and received a life sentence per longform reporting on the case. Custody status can be verified via Georgia DOC resources [3][4][8].

What was the financial motive alleged by prosecutors?

Prosecutors highlighted a $1.75 million life insurance policy and concerns tied to Fred’s financial dealings. Those facts were central to the state’s motive theory and appeared in case coverage and trial summaries [3][5].

Did Ricky testify in the murder trial?

Contemporary reporting emphasizes that as a child he provided critical investigative details, notably the license plate information. The lasting public record focuses on his assistance to investigators rather than adult trial testimony [1][3].

Where can I verify current custody status for Rower or Lawrence?

Use the Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Query for the most current information. It is the primary public record for Georgia state inmates [8].

Is there a definitive documentary on the case?

There is not a single definitive documentary, but several well-regarded sources cover the case, including Atlanta Magazine’s longform feature, PoliceMag’s analysis, Oxygen’s coverage, and Court TV case archives [3][4][5][7].

References

[1] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (URL: https://www.ajc.com/news/crime–law/fred-tokars-lawyer-who-set-murder-his-wife-dead/RZ0wVVjemrUPMQKaF8ntdK/) – “Fred Tokars died in prison on May 13, 2020; Ricky’s license plate identification; sons were ages 6 and 4; case background and prosecutorial commentary.”
[2] People (URL: https://people.com/crime/fred-tokars-mastermind-killing-wife-1992-dies-prison/) – “Reporting on Fred Tokars’s death in prison in 2020 and concise case recap.”
[3] Atlanta Magazine (URL: https://www.atlantamagazine.com/great-reads/sara-tokars-murder/) – “Comprehensive narrative of the Sara Tokars case, including roles of Eddie Lawrence and Curtis Rower, timeline, and trial context.”
[4] PoliceMag (URL: https://www.policemag.com/articles/the-murder-of-sara-tokars) – “Analytical feature on the murder, investigation, and identified participants including the gunman and middleman.”
[5] Oxygen (URL: https://www.oxygen.com/abuse-of-power/crime-time/fred-tokars-prominent-lawyer-hires-hitman-wife-death) – “Details on the $1.75 million life insurance policy, federal racketeering counts, and sentencing summaries.”
[6] OnlineAthens (URL: https://www.onlineathens.com/story/news/state/2012/12/03/notorious-convict-turns-prosecution-witness/15589580007/) – “Context on a key figure’s cooperation as a prosecution witness and related incarceration reporting.”
[7] Court TV (URL: https://www.courttv.com/title/46-ga-v-tokars-ricky-tokars/) – “Case archive page with trial context and related materials.”
[8] Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Search (URL: http://www.dcor.state.ga.us/GDC/Offender/Query) – “Official portal for custody and parole status of Georgia state inmates such as Curtis Rower and Eddie Lawrence.”
[9] Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator (URL: https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/) – “Official portal for federal inmate records, including status for deceased inmates like Fred Tokars.”