A Missing Mom, a Submerged Car and a 24-Year Secret: What Happened to Regina Hicks?

The death of Regina Hicks would remain a mystery for almost 24 years until her ex-husband was arrested for her murder, according to Ohio authorities.

egina Hicks left her boyfriend’s home to pick up her son from her estranged husband Paul Hicks’ friend. Only, she never showed up.

Days later, on Oct. 22, 2001, Regina’s white Chevrolet Camaro was found submerged in a pond in Willard, her dead body inside.

Her death would remain a mystery for decades.

Who Are Regina Hicks and Paul Hicks?

Regina and Paul were high school sweethearts, but their relationship had long since deteriorated.

Their marriage was described as “violent” and “turbulent” in an indictment obtained by Oxygen.com, and loved ones worried about Regina’s safety.

“Before Paul, she was loud, happy, and more vocal,” Regina’s cousin Lisa Hersha told ABC’s 20/20 in a May 1 episode. “Paul made her more silent, more small.”

Paul quickly drew suspicion. After all, he filed for divorce one day before she went missing and he could not complete a polygraph test due to his admitted drug and alcohol use. However, there wasn’t enough evidence to charge him.

Paul Hicks was convicted for the 2001 murder of his wife Regina Hicks.

Photo: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost

Paul Hicks Involved in Criminal Scheme

Years later, Paul was entangled in an elaborate criminal scheme.

Authorities alleged he set his own house on fire with the intent of blaming it on his ex-girlfriend to win custody of their child and collect insurance money.

According to investigators, in a staged break-in, two masked individuals poured gasoline everywhere before lighting a fire. The incident was recorded on a home surveillance system that Paul had previously placed in a fire-protected safe.

In 2019, Paul was indicted on charges including aggravated arson, insurance fraud and perjury. He later changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced to probation in 2022.

Paul Hicks Convicted in Regina Hicks Murder

Meanwhile, Regina’s case remained unsolved. That is, until the Ohio Bureau of Investigation took over and re-interviewed witnesses, including Paul’s best friend Steve Gates.

Testifying in exchange for immunity, Steve told authorities that Paul and Regina had argued the night she disappeared.

He claimed he later found Regina unconscious and that Paul said she was dead. Steve said that Paul then drove Regina’s car into a pond and left her there.

In April 2025, Paul was arrested and charged with murder and kidnapping. While he pleaded not guilty, he was convicted in December and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

“Today a killer is held accountable, although 24 years after the crime, it’s a stark reminder that truth has no expiration date,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a press release. “Prison bars will now restrain the evil that stole Regina from her loved ones.”