However, they still have hope. The Social Security Administration records do not . Police ruled Danas death a homicide, but would not confirm the exact cause of death. It had been abandoned on the shoulder of northbound Highway 160. You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website. Here's what is known about them SABRINA LYNN UNDERWOOD:. And we have, every time we getany kind of lead whatsoever, run down that lead. According to private investigators, it was her second night on the job and her first time working solo. We only looked every single city in Arkansas for which FBI data was available for the most recent FBI Crime In The United States. The suspect had passed a polygraph test and told Davis that when he had talked about killing Workman he was "joking.". In December 1977 a man was arrested in connection to the death and questioned. For nearly three decades the homicide case of Fort Smith teen Melissa Witt has gone unsolved, but a former detective refuses to give up hope. Under the Search tab, select the Card Catalog and look for the title "Fort Smith, Arkansas, Criminal Case Files, 1866-1900." Select "view original image" to be taken to the case file folder. The burlap sack also reminds us of the Scarecrow character in the Batman stories, a chilling psychopath who drugged and murdered townspeople while wearing a burlap sack over his head. On the voice message recording, a lady called and with a really strong Southern accent could be heard saying, Go ahead and tell them what you found, he said. Uncovered is where the most passionate true crime enthusiasts can learn from and teach others. A federal judge is to review an unsolved 1987 murder case of 2 young boys from Arkansas who were believed to have been killed by Clinton operatives. I wanted a better life for him than I had. Manage Settings Danas father passed away 10 years after his daughter was killed. Arkansas Crime Information Center. And even the victim and the victims loved ones dont know who the other party iswe normally draw these dead ends, Pevehouse said. If she was going to be late, she always called.. Specifically, we analyzed the FBI's Uniform Crime Report which summarizes the number of murders that may happen in each city per year.We only looked every single city in Arkansas for which FBI data was available for the most recent FBI Crime In The United States. Western Arkansas was also on the circuit of back roads Clyde Barrow used to evade lawmen from other states. Melissa's memorial service is held at the Grand Avenue Baptist Church followed by a burial at Woodlawn Memorial Cemetary under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home, 10:00 am:Wal-Mart dedicates their missing persons board to Melissa Witt. Vine himself repeatedly denied having anything to do with Witt's murder, even after his conviction, local outlet Today In Fort Smith reported in 2020. Help bring awareness to the murder of Melissa Witt in hopes of generating new information that could bring justice to her case, Follow the Melissa Witt Facebook Group to follow the latest updates in the case. Kristen said she spent weekends driving to nearby states with her mother and her aunt, Georgia, to see if anyone had seen Dana. In a May 13, 1990, News-Leader story, Whitney said: I dont think this was a planned-out deal, other than they saw her and made a quick plan, he says. Shes waited 42 years for answers. Both cases remain unsolved. Her mother declined to give it to her. Your chance of being a victim of crime in Fort Smith may be as high as 1 in 11 in the northwest neighborhoods, or as low as 1 in 25 in the southeast part of the city. December 1, 1994, was a typical day for Missy. Captain Philip Pevehouse with the Sebastian Co. Sheriffs Office says customers begin making calls to the Fort Smith Police Department about the store not having a cashier. But as she got ready to go to campus for class, she had a small disagreement with her Mom after asking her if she could borrow money. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. A 19 year old college student disappears in a parking lot. At 9 a.m. the next morning, June 25, 1983, the victim's body was discovered near 2000 E. 22nd Street, hidden in the brush of a semi-secluded area not far from her home. Should Smith, now 73, ever be releasedin Illinoishe would face a life sentence in Arkansas. There are fifty states in the unsolved murders in arkansas with the unsolved murders in arkansas of many states on their way to see a lot of perks, and when not to. If you need a pleasant palate cleanser, try touring this cider mill. She was our joy. No one noticed the blood splatter on her keys at the time. There could easily be a scientific explanation for this one, but do you really want to risk it to find out? Larry Swearingen was looked at as a person of interest in this case. A young boy, who was with his mother at Bowling World, said when he went out to retrieve a book from their car, he heard a woman scream, Help me! He didnt see anyone but stated the time was around 6:30 or 6:40 p.m. That caused him to jerk the coat down. Love Arkansas? All rights reserved. The light is the ghosts lantern used to search for his head. Christopher Reese's 2014 murder in Notus, Idaho remains unsolved. Arkansas law requires all missing persons to be entered immediately. Some, however, have since theorized she was the victim of local serial killer Charles Ray Vine, also known as "The River Valley Killer.". He may have been lost at times, but who of us has not been lost? The Arkansas, Texas & Oklahoma Bureau of Vital Records were contacted in an attempt to locate a death certificate for Nona Young. Steve Hamilton was a Springfield police lieutenant at the time. 6:30/6:40 pm:Witness reports hearing woman in distress in Bowling World Parking. "But he could be lying and if he was high on drugs or alcohol as he frequently was at the time he might not even remember," she said. After stopping at the store, Blades went to a Nixa laundromat. Wal-Mart Stores, in conjunction with AR Missing Exploited Children's Center announced the introduction of Missing Person's Poster Display at the local store in Huntsville in honor of Melissa. Smith confessed that he raped Ash and stabbed her to death at theTV repair shop where he worked in Mountain Home, Arkansas. If you have any information on the circumstances surrounding Dana Stidhams death, please contact the Benton County Sheriffs Office at (479) 271-1008 or the Bella Vista Police Department at (479) 855-3771 at or via email at info@bellavistaar.gov. One of the bullets severed a major artery and Anstutz died an hour later at Cox Medical Center South. Steve Whitney, then Christian County sheriff, said it was likely her body was tossed down an embankment, where itcame to rest in water up to her waist. A retired detective and an Arkansas woman are working to solve Melissa Witt's murder Watch on Source: 5NEWS When she was discovered Six weeks after the abduction, two hunters in the Ozark National Forest discovered Missy's body on January 13, 199545 miles from her home in Fort Smith. Friday, March 17th TV listings for MNT (KFSM-TV2) Fort Smith, AR. William Gardiner, a preacher of the Primitive Methodist Chapel, was suspected due . In the summer of 1989, she continued to work at the store while figuring out what she wanted to do, Georgia said. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Cold case is finally cracked and the killer is identified. "We loved him dearly.". The Victims: Forty Unsolved Murders Since 1984 Nov 21, 1991 This is a list of 40 unsolved killings in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties since 1984, the year officials say the Green River. No circumstance has a more devastating effect on a family than the unknown whereabouts of a loved one. Recent job growth is Negative. If you have any possible . The state has a surprising number of bone chilling tales, from cold cases to urban legends. Gun sales shot up for a time, and sales of alarm systems and guard dogs also rose as the murders went unsolved . The city with highest murder rate in Arkansas? That left us with 26 cities to rank. This move prompts an interesting discussion about the rights and preservation of potential fantastical threats. The suspect had an alibiand police could not disprove it; The widow's eyewitness account didn't persuade Greene County prosecutors to file charges. The two masked killers used a handcart to wheel the store safe out of the building and fled in Reese's car. This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. Lawrence, who had medical issues, was feeling ill that day, so he asked Dana if she could pick up his medicine at Phillips Foods store in Bella Vista. She had accidentally left something on, and the battery was dead. Case of Missing Person: Nona Jean Young (Coleman) W/F, 02-26-51 . Start browsing the folder's contents at the beginning of the file. The Texarkana Moonlight Murders, a term coined by the contemporary press, was a series of four unsolved serial murders and related violent crimes committed in and around the Texarkana region of Arkansas and Texas in the late winter and spring of 1946. It was higher than in 97.1% U.S. cities. Home > Crime Info & Support > Crime Information Center > Community Information > Missing Persons Information. She had been brutally murdered and left to die along a logging trail in the Ozark National Forest about 50 miles from where she was abducted. Specifically, we analyzed the FBI's Uniform Crime Report which summarizes the number of murders that may happen in each city per year. Archive statistics are available upon request. Is This Man a Serial Killer? The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is requesting your assistance in closing these open cases. Generally, cases are solved when the offender has been arrested and turned over to the court for prosecution. The 2019 Fort Smith crime rate rose by 17% compared to 2018. With over 600,000 acres of lakes and 9,700 miles of hiking trails. Missy's body was nude and placed near a headstone-shaped rock. Missy kept very busy with classes and her part-time job at a local dental clinic where she worked as a dental assistant. Furthermore, Swearingen was known to be in the area around the time Missy was abducted. Both tried to interview witnesses, but they could only speak with certain people. On Christmas Day, 1970 a year and 10 days after Blades disappeared her body was found in Stone County, 12 miles away. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Pruett would soon confess to prosecutors and the media his guilt . Contact. Her car was found in the parking lot, but she was nowhere to be seen. The many faces -- and places -- of murder suspect Travis Couch, Fort Smith Police Putting Fresh Set of Eyes on 1994 Murder Investigation, Death Row Inmate Sought for Questioning In Melissa Witts Murder, Murder, Kidnapping Frustrating Cases for Law, Melissa Witts Body Found 22 Years Ago; Investigation Still Open, Cold Case: The Murder of Melissa "Missy" Witt, Wal-Mart to Dedicate Their Missing Persons Board To Melissa Witt, Fort Smith Teen's Body Found Near Turner Bend. We all know she was really responsible, and she knew her dad was waiting on the medicine. Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950 (requires payment) at Ancestry/has about 594,000 listings. You Decide. The three people at the time thought nothing of seeing theman dash across the field until they learned Blades was missing and her car was the one they had seenabandoned along Highway 160. Most Dangerous Places in Arkansas The 10 Murder Capitals Of Arkansas For 2021 1. Horton told Smith: My only purpose in writing is to ask that if you did abduct and kill Carol, that you grant me the peace of mind to know what happened., Smith responded: I give you my word, which is about all I have anymore that is good, that I havent the answers to the questions you seek. They died never knowing what happened to Dana. 1326, Episode 35 - Arkansas - Who Killed Melissa Witt Part 2. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Judge orders North Little Rock mental health facility to pay $2.5M in teen rape case. We were robbed of her wisdom and just her life in general.. We use data, analytics, and a sense of humor to determine the dirt on places across the country. Double murder of Hot Springs mom, 5-year-old son remains unsolved Little Rock police urging people to be cautious of phone scam Police make arrest in fatal hit-and-run of Benton 13-year-old Jane BERNARD (Unsolved Murder - 1966) - ON Lucas SHORTREED (Unsolved - 2008) - ON Tammy LAMONDIN (1999) - ON Marguerite CARDWELL (1973) - AB Bowmanville Jane Doe (2006) - ON Kimberly MCANDREW (1989) - NS Le Roi Francis LA FRANCE (1964) - B.C. She was just the kind of daughter people wish they had. Kemm-Highton saidin August she does not believe Smith killed Blades. Smith has also confessed to killing several women while a U.S. Marine in West Germanyin the 1960s. "Since her death in 1989 our family has reached out to the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation on numerous occasions," he said. Asking for witnesses who might have seen anything, no matter how small, to speak up. Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Fort Smith, AR. I feel rape was the motive I think she was big and strong enough to fight them and they probably strangled her and then dumped her.". Little Rock There also was a younger male voice, also with a really strong Southern accent. Aaron Smith Found Murdered on Serene Campground, A First Look at the Murder of Aaron Smith. Outreach. The 2019 crime rate in Fort Smith, AR is 559 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 2.1 times higher than the U.S. average. Law enforcement agencies should be contacted without delay. The IMCA sanctioned 3/8 mile oval and I situated in the unsolved murders in arkansas of 2005 was $207,000; however, in both your criminal trial and any penalties imposed by the unsolved murders in arkansas of the unsolved murders in arkansas can request to play the unsolved murders in arkansas if you do the responsible thing! Its time she gets answers, Patti Rush, president of REVAMP in Fort Smith, said while referring to the daughter of the missing woman. They were attributed to an alleged unidentified serial killer known as the Phantom of Texarkana or simply the Phantom Killer or Phantom Slayer. Little Rock: 56 | North Little Rock: 23. More Cost of Living or Compare Fort Smith's Cost of Living. The police looked at the good samaritan very closely before dismissing him as a suspect. Two Hunters Person With Information / Witness, Larry SwearingenPerson With Information / Witness, Travis Dale CrouchPerson With Information / Witness, Unnamed older woman and younger manPerson With Information / Witness, Charles Ray VinesPerson With Information / Witness, Douglas Lawrence LoganPerson With Information / Witness, William Dillard TaylorPerson With Information / Witness, Tara LimbirdFriend / Acquaintance of Victim, Morning:Melissa and her mother have a disagreement over money. Chester Simons and Deborah Popp were found fatally shot in bed and police determined that Popp was shot by Simons, who then died by suicide, according to Fort Myers Police Department. DNA evidence then connected him to the other crimes. *While use of the Unidentified Person File is increasing, it is not yet mandated by law to make entries into this file. The real mystery is why it took so long for someone to decide "hey maybe we should bury this guy.". Morning:Melissa goes to classes at Westark Community College, now the University of Arkansas Fort Smith (UAFS). But we're certain he got the idea from some of the real life eye witness reports. A trapper, looking for deer sign on A US Forest Service road about 18 miles north of Ozark, noticed Witt's nude body lying face down about 30 years from the road. According to Sgt. They made this determination based on evidence of a struggle around her car, including blood found in the parking lot, as well as Missy's keys and an earring found nearby. You can visit his grave at Graceland Cemetery in Pine Bluff, but we can't promise it will reveal any clues about his mysterious demise. There are fifty states in the unsolved murders in arkansas of the unsolved murders in arkansas of Arkansas insists that all policy holders have a long and rich history and should not be disappointed. 5 The Florence Salon Murders. It's been over 20 years and people are still looking for answers in the murder of Arkansas teenager, Melissa Witt. Jenkins added. Georgia said they checked all the possible routes that Dana might have taken, and did not see her car anywhere. Soon after the shooting, the suspect went to prison for two years for other burglary convictions. RELATED: Detective believes 1995 murder of Arkansas teen could be tied to another case, RELATED: Alma Police receive hundreds of tips since 'Still Missing Morgan' documentary aired. According to the News-Leader story, Kemm-Highton encouraged Geraldine Horton, the mother of Carol Blades, to writeto Smith. Denver Post . 18 unsolved slayings in this area in five years. No suspect was ever identified. At El Patron Mexican . Project: Cold Case is a not-for-profit organization with an ambitious goal of publicizing all unsolved homicides in the United States while linking information, families, and law enforcement, and ultimately, helping to solve cold cases. An old wives tale is one thing, but once physical evidence gets involved these stories become especially chilling. It simply states where murders occurred most frequently on an absolute and rate basis. Danas personal belongings, however, were not inside the car. if(window.innerWidth<700){ezoicSiteSpeed(jQuery(document),String(/documentReady/).substring(1).slice(0,-1),String(/jQuery-document-dot-ready/).substring(1).slice(0,-1),function($){$("#skip_expand").html("(Expand+)");$("#toc ul").css("display","none");$("#skip_expand").on("click",function(){$("#toc ul").toggle()});$("#toc h3").on("click",function(){$("#toc ul").toggle()});});}. Her body was found on September 16, 1989 in Benton County, Arkansas. However, she never made it inside. Many conspiracies were prompted by the tragedy, including a (mildly far-fetched) drug smuggling cover-up connected to a former U.S. President. CBI FOHVAMP . Melanie ETHIER (1996) - ON Julie FORTIER (Unsolved Murder - 1980) - ON Stefan SCHWARTZ (1960) - B.C. The day she disappeared Blades was driving the couple's 1965 Chevy Impala. A documentary is being developed to cover Missy's case, and community advocates recently launched a billboard campaign to highlight her unsolved murder. Went to the store, and people said that she had been there and bought what she needed and left, Georgia said. City of Fort Collins Police Services, 2221 Timberline Road, Fort Collins, CO 80525 Phone: 970.221.6540 (non-emergency) . Three people died and an officer was stabbed in the neck in an incident in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Sunday. Cornerstone Mountain Retreat, near Jasper, visitors can walk for miles in pristine forests. Download the Uncovered Citizen Detective Guide to learn more about how thoughtful and safe online sleuthing. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. The Little Rock and Fort Smith, the unsolved murders in arkansas near Morrilton, and Arkansas is the North Central Arkansas Speedway in Yellville. Her logic is that since Smith admitted other slayings he would have admitted this one, as well, if he did it. He was caught in 2000 when he attempted to rape and kill a 16-year-old girl in her house. When she entered the salon, she first saw the corpse of 62-year-old Dorothy Harris. On September 16, 1989, almost two months after Dana was last seen, a hunter in Benton County, Arkansas came upon a shallow grave in a heavily wooded area. Jenkins told Dateline. You may also email information to the Detectives, by clicking on the link. "It took them eight days to find her body. We have never come up with anything positive.". In July of 1979, Lois Ensey was abducted while working at J's Night Owl Grocery off Highway 271 in Fort Smith. Her parents and other family members offered $10,000 for information leading to an arrest. The car shows signs of a struggle. Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock Steven Fisher, 20, and his girlfriend Melisa Gregory, 17, were bludgeoned to death on a ranch northwest of Newton, Iowa, in 1983. Jenkins told Dateline. The massacre inspired the movie "The Town that Dreaded Sundown." You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Drugs is a possibility. In 1999, high school seniors J.B. Hilton Green Beasley and Tracie Jean . Episode 34 - Arkansas - Who Killed Melissa Witt? Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! This, however, only applies to their own. Since the 1930s, people have been debating the cause of the light. Police showed her a photo of a convicted burglar who was known in the area and, according to news stories, she identified the man as the intruder who killed her husband. Moody had not been reported missing, family members told police, because it wasn't unusual for him to not be in contact with his family for stretches of time. He chose not to cooperate and therefore remains a suspect in this murder. Melissa and Tara have biology class together on Friday, and then had plans to hang out that evening. Its illegal to hunt "Whitey" within the protected land. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Between 6:30-7 pm, after class and work, Missy went to the same bowling alley that her mother had mentioned in her note. She always called. We understand if you have trouble getting to sleep tonight, these unsolved mysteries certainly shook us to the core. He said it was likely there was more than one assailant because Workman wasstrong. The Missing Person Active/Expired Analysis and the Unidentified Person Active/Expired Analysis reports are available upon request. Two people witness Melissa's abduction. 1. Often in unsolved murders, family members of the victim lose faith in the investigators trying to solve the case so charges can be filed. Melissa Witt was abducted from the parking lot of Bowling World in the evening. All charges were dropped in 2005. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Cold Case Spotlight No answers 29 years after murder of Arkansas teen Dana Stidham Eighteen-year-old Dana Stidham was last seen on July 25, 1989 leaving a grocery store in Bella Visa,. Or if youd like more nightmare fuel, read about this haunted Arkansas attraction. She says her mothers abduction and murder affected the entire family. Officers found a receipt from Phillips Foods in the back of the car, time-stamped 3:17 p.m. on the 25th, according to Sgt. If a manila folder image appears, this means you are at the beginning of the case file. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - Oklahoma City, OK If you have any updates in any of these cases please contact me. "Buff" Lamb was openly hostile in the unsolved abduction and murder of Carol Blades, a 20-year-old Nixa housewife. Anstuz was a carpenter at Killian Construction in Springfield. Although not officially a suspect in any Washington . The burglar tried to flee out the back but Anstutz confronted him and the two scuffled. She reported her daughter missing. The BridgeWay mental-health hospital, admitting it had wronged a 14-year-old patient who . 615Little Rock, AR 72201501-682-2222Contact UsGoogle Map, ACT 346 (Court Access)AIBRS InformationCENSORCJIS Online PortalCrime StatisticsJusticeXchangeSystem RegulationsTraining CalendarsVictims InformationDirections to ACIC, One State Police Plaza DrLittle Rock, AR 72209, Donate to the Arkansas Disaster Relief Program, The Official Website of the State of Arkansas, Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program, Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training, Arkansas Full Time Law Enforcement Officer Salary Stipend. Eighteen-year-old Dana Stidham was last seen on July 25, 1989 leaving a grocery store in Bella Visa, Arkansas with medicine for her dad. Bucholtz and Jared started a Facebook group called Unsolved Murder of Rebekah Gould in the hopes of getting some tips from the public about her death. There was one suspect and he was named in the only two anonymous phone tips to police; Amy Anstutz saw the killer's face and later picked the suspect out in a face-to-face lineup and also by a photo; The suspect surrendered to police a few days after the killing; he denied involvement. The court determined that the events were not foreseeable and the case was ultimately dismissed. Do you feel thoroughly thrilled and chilled? Records in the Missing Person File are retained indefinitely or until the individual is located or the record is canceled by the entering agency. She hadthree children. If you want to get cheaper rates on your hand. An unclesaw her mowing at 5:40 p.m.; her absence was noticed at about 6:15 p.m. The unemployment rate in Fort Smith is 4.6% (U.S. avg. Here are a fewother unsolved murders in the Ozarks: In his first year as Douglas County SheriffRoldan Turner had two separate murders to solve Ronnie Johnson and Kelle Ann Workman. They called around to family members and Danas friends, but no one had heard from her that day.

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