For nearly 24 years, Paul Hicks remained the central figure in one of Ohio’s most enduring cold case investigations. Although investigators suspected him from the beginning, authorities lacked enough evidence to charge him in the 2001 death of his estranged wife, Regina Rowe-Hicks. That changed in 2025 when new witness testimony revived the case and ultimately led to his conviction.
Today, Paul Hicks is serving a prison sentence of 25 years to life after being found guilty of murdering Regina and kidnapping her before her death. He continues to maintain his innocence and is pursuing an appeal.
- “Secrets Unmasked”: Dateline NBC Explores Homicide of Regina Rowe-Hicks June 19 2026
- Who Was Regina Rowe-Hicks & What Happened to Her? 2026 Update & Profile
Contents
Early Life and Relationship with Regina
Paul Hicks and Regina Rowe met while they were still in high school in Ohio. The couple eventually married and had a son, Montana. By 2001, however, their relationship had deteriorated, and they were living separately. Regina was pursuing a new life while custody and financial issues involving their son remained unresolved.
Family members later described the marriage as troubled. During the trial, prosecutors argued that disputes over custody and child support created significant tension between the estranged couple. These issues would become a major focus during the murder investigation and eventual prosecution.
The Suspicion That Lasted Decades
When Regina disappeared on October 18, 2001, investigators quickly focused on Paul. Four days later, her body was found inside her submerged Chevrolet Camaro in a pond near Willard, Ohio. An autopsy revealed blunt force injuries to her head, leading authorities to rule the death a homicide.
Investigators found several aspects of Paul’s behavior suspicious. Most notably, he filed for divorce and sought custody of Montana the day after Regina disappeared. Despite those concerns, detectives could not find enough evidence to make an arrest. The case remained unsolved for more than two decades.
Other Legal Troubles
Years before his arrest for Regina’s murder, Paul became involved in another criminal investigation. Prosecutors alleged that he orchestrated an insurance fraud scheme involving a fire at one of his properties. Investigators claimed he purchased a wig and a custom mask resembling a former girlfriend in an effort to frame her for arson.
While the more serious charges were eventually dismissed, Paul pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor insurance fraud charge and received probation. The case attracted attention because investigators believed it demonstrated a willingness to manipulate situations for personal gain.
The Breakthrough That Led to His Arrest
The turning point came when Ohio’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation Cold Case Unit reopened Regina’s case. Detectives re-interviewed Steve Gates, Paul’s longtime friend and the man whose property Regina visited on the night she disappeared.
In exchange for immunity, Gates told investigators that he witnessed the aftermath of an argument between Paul and Regina. According to his testimony, Paul assaulted Regina, placed her unconscious body inside her Camaro, drove the vehicle into a pond, and escaped before it became fully submerged. Gates later repeated those allegations before a jury.
Trial and Conviction
Paul Hicks was arrested on April 22, 2025, and charged with three counts of murder and one count of kidnapping. Prosecutors argued that he killed Regina to avoid child support obligations and gain full control over custody of their son. They relied heavily on Gates’ testimony, along with evidence about Paul’s conduct before and after Regina’s death.
The defense argued that there was no physical evidence linking Paul to the crime. Attorneys attacked Gates’ credibility and emphasized that the state’s case depended largely on a witness who had waited decades to come forward. After a two-week trial, however, the jury found Paul guilty on all counts on December 19, 2025.
Where Is Paul Hicks Now?
Paul Hicks was sentenced on January 9, 2026, to 25 years to life in prison. The sentence included life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after serving 25 years. The court imposed consecutive penalties for the murder and kidnapping convictions.
According to reports, Hicks is currently incarcerated at Lake Erie Correctional Institution in Conneaut, Ohio. His earliest parole eligibility date is reported to be in 2050. While serving his sentence, he continues to challenge the conviction through the appeals process and maintains that he did not kill Regina.
A Case That Finally Reached a Verdict
For decades, Paul Hicks lived as a free man while Regina Rowe-Hicks’ family searched for answers. The eventual conviction closed one of Ohio’s longest-running cold case investigations and brought a measure of justice to Regina’s relatives after years of uncertainty.
Whether the appeals process changes any aspect of the case remains to be seen. For now, Paul Hicks remains imprisoned for the murder of the woman he once married, while Regina’s family continues to remember the young mother whose death went unanswered for nearly a quarter century.
More “Secrets Unmasked”
- “Secrets Unmasked”: Dateline NBC Explores Homicide of Regina Rowe-Hicks June 19 2026
- Who Was Regina Rowe-Hicks & What Happened to Her? 2026 Update & Profile
- Who Is Paul Hicks & Where Is He Now? 2026 Update & Profile