Is Ricky Tokars Still Alive? The Untold Story Of The Tokars Family Today
The 1992 murder of Sara Tokars remains one of the most infamous and chilling true crime cases in American history. Orchestrated by her husband, Fred Tokars—a prominent Atlanta defense attorney and former prosecutor—the brutal hit took place in front of the couple’s two young sons, Ricky and Mike. The image of the two young boys fleeing from their mother's SUV into the darkness of suburban Cobb County, Georgia, captured the nation’s attention and left an indelible mark on the public consciousness.
In the decades that have followed, true crime enthusiasts, journalists, and legal scholars have closely followed the aftermath of this tragedy. With the passage of time and several major developments within the family, many people frequently search online asking: is ricky tokars still alive? To understand his current status, it is essential to look at the tragic timeline of the Tokars family, the divergence of the two brothers' lives, and how they processed one of the most horrific domestic crimes of the 1990s.
Below, we explore the life of Ricky Tokars, clear up the widespread confusion regarding his survival, analyze the fates of those involved in this landmark case, and examine how the surviving family members moved forward from unspeakable horror.
Who is Ricky Tokars? Recalling the 1992 Atlanta Tragedy
To understand Ricky Tokars’ life today, one must first revisit the harrowing night of November 29, 1992. Ricky was only six years old, and his younger brother, Mike, was four. The family was returning to their suburban Marietta home after spending the Thanksgiving holiday with relatives. As Sara Tokars parked the family's Toyota 4Runner, an armed intruder, Curtis Rower, confronted them. Rower forced Sara and her two young sons back into the vehicle and ordered her to drive down a deserted nearby road.
Within minutes, Rower fired a shotgun, killing Sara instantly. Ricky, showing extraordinary presence of mind and bravery for a six-year-old child, realized his mother was gone and took immediate action to save his younger brother. He guided four-year-old Mike out of the blood-stained vehicle and ran through a dark, muddy field to a nearby subdivision to find help. This singular act of protective instinct defined Ricky’s character in the eyes of the media and the public during the subsequent investigation.
As the police uncovered the conspiracy, the horror deepened. Investigators revealed that Fred Tokars had hired a business associate, Albert Lawrence Love, who in turn hired Rower to execute Sara. Fred wanted his wife dead because she had discovered his extensive involvement in money laundering, drug racketeering, and offshore bank accounts. During the high-profile trials, Ricky’s accounts of the night and his resilience became central to the prosecution’s narrative, painting a vivid picture of a young boy forced to grow up in a matter of seconds.
Is Ricky Tokars Still Alive? Clarifying the Rumors and Current Status
Yes, Ricky Tokars is still alive. He has deliberately chosen to live a quiet, private life away from the true crime media spotlight. The frequent online searches questioning whether Ricky is still alive stem from a tragic double event that occurred in the spring of 2020, which led to significant public confusion and conflation of the family members' names.
In April 2020, Ricky’s younger brother, Mike Tokars, passed away suddenly at the age of 31. Mike, who had pursued a career in journalism and music, died from a sudden pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in his lungs). Just one month later, in May 2020, their father, Fred Tokars, died of natural causes in a federal prison in Pennsylvania at the age of 67. Because news of both deaths broke within weeks of each other, many casual followers of the case mistakenly believed that both Tokars brothers had passed away, or confused Ricky with his late brother, Mike.
Today, Ricky Tokars maintains a very low profile. Unlike his brother Mike, who wrote a deeply moving, publicly published essay for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about his struggles with depression and the legacy of their mother’s murder, Ricky has actively avoided public platforms. He has focused on his personal healing, professional career, and maintaining a close relationship with his maternal aunts, who lovingly raised both boys in Florida after their mother's death.
Fred Tokars dies in prison 27 years after wifes murder | 11alive.com
Comparing the Fates of the Tokars Family Members
The fallout of the Tokars murder case spanned nearly three decades, touching legal systems, prison institutions, and mental health advocacy. To clarify the status of everyone involved in this tragic saga, the table below provides a comprehensive breakdown of the key figures, their roles, and their current status.
| Individual | Role in the Case | Status | Key Details / Year of Death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sara Tokars | Victim / Mother of Ricky and Mike | Deceased | Murdered on November 29, 1992, at age 39. |
| Ricky Tokars | Eyewitness / Surviving Son | Alive | Currently living a private life, works professionally, and avoids the media. |
| Mike Tokars | Eyewitness / Younger Son | Deceased | Passed away on April 3, 2020, at age 31 due to a pulmonary embolism. |
| Fred Tokars | Mastermind / Father | Deceased | Died in federal prison on May 9, 2020, at age 67 from natural causes. |
| Curtis Rower | Hitman / Shooter | Incarcerated | Serving a life sentence without parole in a Georgia state prison. |
| Albert Lawrence Love | Co-conspirator / Intermediary | Incarcerated | Serving a life sentence for his role in organizing the hit. |
The Legacy of the Tokars Case and Victim Advocacy
The survival of Ricky and Mike Tokars became a catalyst for significant discussions surrounding child witnesses of violent crimes. In the early 1990s, the psychological impact of severe trauma on young children was not as comprehensively understood or integrated into the legal system as it is today. The brave actions of the two boys, and their subsequent transition into the custody of their maternal aunts (the Hunter family) in Florida, showcased the critical importance of immediate, compassionate psychological intervention and stable, loving environments.
The Hunter family made a conscious, coordinated effort to shield Ricky and Mike from the media circus that surrounded their father’s trial. They relocated the boys to an environment where they could participate in normal childhood activities, play sports, and receive therapy without being constantly identified as the "Tokars kids." This protective bubble is widely credited by family friends as the reason Ricky was able to build a stable, functional adulthood despite the unimaginable horror of his early childhood.
While Mike Tokars chose to confront his trauma through writing, music, and public reflection later in his life, Ricky’s path of private healing highlights that there is no single "correct" way to survive trauma. Both paths are valid responses to surviving a nightmare. Ricky’s decision to remain anonymous and protect his peace serves as an inspiring example of resilience, demonstrating that survivors can reclaim their lives and establish boundaries on their own terms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ricky Tokars
How old is Ricky Tokars today?
Ricky Tokars was born in 1986, making him approximately 38 years old today. He was six years old at the time of his mother's murder in November 1992.
What happened to Ricky’s brother, Mike Tokars?
Mike Tokars passed away on April 3, 2020, at the age of 31. He suffered a sudden pulmonary embolism. Before his death, Mike was an aspiring writer, journalist, and musician who spoke openly about the emotional toll of his mother’s death and his journey toward forgiveness.
Where did Ricky Tokars grow up after the tragedy?
Following the murder of their mother and the arrest of their father, Ricky and Mike were raised by their maternal grandparents and their mother’s sisters (the Hunter family) in Florida. They grew up in a supportive, private environment away from the Georgia media coverage.
Did Ricky Tokars testify in court against his father?
Yes, Ricky Tokars’ early statements and his brave, coherent recollections of the night of the murder were crucial for investigators. While the legal teams sought to minimize the direct courtroom trauma for the young boys, Ricky's detailed descriptions of the shooter and the events of that night played a massive role in securing convictions for Fred Tokars and the co-conspirators.
How did Fred Tokars die?
Fred Tokars died in a federal prison hospital in Pennsylvania on May 9, 2020. He had been suffering from multiple health issues, including a progressive neurological disease that had left him unable to walk for several years before his death.
Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence and Trauma
The tragic story of the Tokars family highlights the devastating, multi-generational impact of domestic violence and family tragedies. While Ricky Tokars has successfully reclaimed his life in private, thousands of children and families continue to face domestic abuse, coercive control, and trauma every day.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, remember that help is available. Organizations like the National Domestic Violence Hotline provide free, confidential support 24/7. Consider supporting local victim advocacy groups or children's grief counseling centers to help provide the same kind of lifeline that allowed Ricky Tokars to survive, heal, and thrive.
