Chad Thomas

The rockabilly communities in Austin and Houston are in mourning today with the news that Charles R. Thomas II – better known as the front man for Chadd Thomas and the Crazy Kings – was found dead in South Austin yesterday.

Austin Police Department responded to a call on July 11 and discovered Thomas’ body on the grass on the 2600 block of South Congress. The Travis County Medical Examiner found that he was killed by blunt force trauma, and has ruled his death a homicide.

Alabama-born Thomas, 38, formed the Crazy Kings in Houston before moving to Austin, where he and the band became mainstays of the rockabilly scene.

APD is asking anyone with any information relating to Thomas’ death to contact their homicide tip line at 512/477-3588. Alternatively they can call CrimeStoppers at 512/472-8477, or text “Tip 103” and a message to CRIMES.

This article appears in July 8 • 2011.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.