The mystery surrounding the death of Regina Hicks has finally been solved after decades of unanswered questions. In December 2025, her estranged husband, Paul Hicks, was convicted of her murder and kidnapping, bringing justice to a case that remained unsolved for nearly 24 years.
Who Are Regina Hicks and Paul Hicks?
Regina and Paul Hicks were high school sweethearts, but their relationship soured over the years. Described as “violent” and “turbulent” in an indictment obtained by Oxygen.com, their marriage had become fraught with conflict.
Loved ones, including Regina’s cousin Lisa Hersha, expressed concern about Regina’s safety during the marriage. “Before Paul, she was loud, happy, and more vocal. Paul made her more silent, more small,” Hersha shared in an interview on ABC’s 20/20.
Despite the troubling nature of their relationship, Paul Hicks was initially not charged in Regina’s disappearance. In fact, the day before Regina vanished, Paul filed for divorce. Suspicion grew when Paul failed a polygraph test, citing his drug and alcohol use, but there was insufficient evidence to charge him at the time.
Paul Hicks’ Criminal Scheme and Arrest
Years after Regina’s death, Paul Hicks became embroiled in a separate criminal scheme. Authorities accused him of staging a fire at his own home, intending to blame his ex-girlfriend in order to gain custody of their child and collect insurance money.
In 2019, Paul was indicted on charges including aggravated arson, insurance fraud, and perjury. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation in 2022. Despite these criminal activities, it was his past involvement with Regina’s case that would eventually catch up with him.
Breakthrough in Regina Hicks’ Murder Investigation
The case went cold for years, but in 2023, the Ohio Bureau of Investigation reopened the case and re-interviewed key witnesses. Among them was Steve Gates, Paul’s best friend, who was granted immunity in exchange for his testimony. Gates revealed that Paul and Regina had argued the night she disappeared.
He claimed he later found Regina unconscious, and that Paul admitted she was dead. Gates testified that Paul then drove Regina’s car into a pond and left her there to drown.
This revelation, combined with other investigative breakthroughs, led to Paul Hicks’ arrest in April 2025, and he was charged with both murder and kidnapping.
Conviction and Sentencing
In December 2025, after a lengthy trial, Paul Hicks was convicted of Regina Hicks’ murder. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a statement following the conviction, emphasizing the significance of the case’s resolution: “Today a killer is held accountable, although 24 years after the crime, it’s a stark reminder that truth has no expiration date. Prison bars will now restrain the evil that stole Regina from her loved ones.”
While justice for Regina Hicks took many years to materialize, her family and loved ones finally have the closure they long sought. The conviction of Paul Hicks serves as a reminder that even the most cold cases can eventually be solved.
