What happened to 4-year-old Codi Bigsby?

The search for 4-year-old Codi Bigsby continues as authorities scratch their heads in confusion over what happened to the young boy, when he seemly vanished without a trace on the night of January 31, 2022. Codi’s father, Cory told authorities that Codi was not in the home when he woke up on Monday, furthermore, saying that he searched the house, but his son was nowhere to be found. At the time authorities were hesitant to believe that Codi was abducted, but rather believed that they would find him near his father’s home in Buckroe Beach, Hampton. Hampton Police Chief, Mark Talbot said “the investigation does not indicate that he was abducted. There’s just no reason to believe it. We certainly are open to that as a possibility. It is not likely”. Authorities have stated that there were other children located within the home at the time the child disappeared, but the police chief would not elaborate on how many children there were in the home.

Authorities learned that Codi’s parents live separately and have been in contact with the parents. Although, at the time of this writing, the parents’ stories do not coincide with one another, nor do they add up with the evidence. The Chief of Police went on to further say “I think that’s self-explanatory. The evidence doesn’t match what we’ve been told. So, we need to investigate further”. At that time the Chief would not elaborate on the details surrounding the evidence, or the parents’ stories.

At the time of the child’s disappearance, Codi was living with his father. Authorities have spoken to numerous people beyond the child’s parents. Upon speaking to outside people, authorities made the decision to name Cory, Codi’s father as a person of interest in the young boy’s disappearance.

On April 26, 2022, 4-year-old Codi Bigsby’s father, Cory appeared in a Hampton Circuit Courtroom, facing seven counts of felony child neglect not directly relating to his son’s disappearance. It’s being reported that Cory’s attorney asked for another bond hearing noting that Hampton Police Chief Mark Talbot “admitted the lead detective in the case denied Bigsby the right to an attorney”. Cory Bigsby was denied a bond modification at his first bond hearing, and after considering the flight risk and risk to the community, Judge Savage decided to deny Bigsby’s bond again for a second time. Two key factors were used in deciding to approve or deny the request, and it all came down to Bigsby’s prior assault allegations, and his AWOL conviction while he was in the United States Army several years ago.

Bigsby took the stand to testify that his AWOL conviction was simply “a miscommunication after he left for a four-day weekend”. Attorney Anton Bell of the Commonwealth stated that “a military investigation report revealed he was actually missing for three weeks”. Attorney Bell went on to further elaborate that Bigsby was supposed to be stationed in Germany, but Bigsby was in New Jersey. Judge Savage noted in court this afternoon that even several months since Bigsby’s son Codi went missing that Cory Bigsby is still considered to be the main person of interest.

Bigsby’s defense Attorney, Jeffrey Ambrose stood in court today outlining how he feels that Hampton Police Division mishandled the case. Ambrose went on to further read a minute-by-minute synopsis of the interrogation to which Ambrose said Bigsby was interrogated for a total of 72 hours, while 62 of those were after his client had asked for an attorney. Bigsby’s aunt spoke with WAVY as she was leaving the courthouse and said “I raised him. I know he’s innocent. He’s done nothing wrong. A man goes to serve his country for 20 something years and go home and be treated like this. It’s wrong and I don’t like it”.

Attorney Bell made indirect references to more charges against Bigsby. He also stated that while Codi is “still missing” he is “presumed to be deceased”. At this time Bigsby is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 13, 2022.

Anyone with information regarding Codi's disappearance is asked to call Hampton Police at 757–727–6111.