Executive Summary
- Date of Incident: The homicide occurred on February 7, 1977, in Belvedere, Delaware.
- Victim Details: Thomas Radick Jr., 44, owner of Radick’s Equipment and Repair Services.
- Cause of Death: The victim was found with a gunshot wound to the upper body after a house fire.
- Contact Information: Police urge witnesses to contact the Criminal Investigations Unit at 302-395-8110.
NEW CASTLE COUNTY, Del. – Investigators with the New Castle County Police Department (NCCPD) are renewing their appeal for public assistance regarding a homicide case dating back nearly half a century. Authorities are seeking information related to the 1977 death of Thomas Radick Jr., a business owner found deceased following a structure fire in Belvedere.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on February 7, 1977. Firefighters responded to a blaze at a residence on Liberty Road in the Belvedere community. Upon extinguishing the flames, emergency responders discovered the body of 44-year-old Radick in his office.
Subsequent forensic examination revealed that Radick, who owned Radick’s Equipment and Repair Services, had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the upper body. Law enforcement officials have classified the death as a homicide. Despite the passage of time, detectives remain active in their pursuit of leads that could resolve the investigation.
Investigative Outlook
The decision to solicit public input on a case of this vintage highlights the reliance of cold case units on testimonial evidence that may have been withheld or overlooked at the time of the crime. In investigations spanning decades, changes in witness circumstances or relationships can often lead to new information coming to light. The New Castle County Police Criminal Investigations Unit urges anyone with knowledge of the events of February 1977 to contact them at 302-395-8110 or via email at coldcase@newcastlede.gov.
