I know this thread was started quite a while ago. However, I found an EASY solution after this happened to me that I think would help anyone who has this problem and looks at this thread! Like you, I was deleting text messages while I received one, and it became a ghost message-- I would repeatedly get a notification for this specific text, but when I would go to my inbox BAM! the text was no where to be seen. So how on earth am I supposed to delete a text that I can't actually get to so that it stops coming up in my notifications?? I was beyond annoyed. Even after I'd swipe the notification away, it would reappear as soon as I got a new text. I cleared my cache, data, even tried using Handcent (but I much prefer the simplicity of the standard messaging app) and nothing worked. I didn't dare think to restore my phone, too much of a hassle :/ BTW I have a Samsung Galaxy S6 Active.
SO, after my annoyance reached its peak, I tried everything I could think of and THIS STRANGELY WORKED:
*(before you begin, know the exact wording of the ghost text message. Example: "Goodnight c u soon")
1. Open the Messaging App
2. At the top right next to "MORE" there is "SEARCH" <-- Click on the search button
3. In the search bar, type the EXACT message (in my case, it was: Goodnight c u soon) If you only type part of the message and click on the matching result, it will not work, and IDK why.
4. IMPORTANT: When the message pops up under the results DO NOT CLICK IT. Instead, click the search/magnifying glass button on your keyboard
5. The ghost message should appear by itself in a thread with the number or contact which it was sent from, and you will have the ability to delete it just like any other normal message! Problem solved!!
This somehow worked for me and I hope it works for anyone else who has this problem and sees this thread!