But one suspect is alive and living in an Illinois prison. We all know she was really responsible, and she knew her dad was waiting on the medicine. Dana's brother died in 2015. In 1979, Lois Ensey was abducted while working at J's Night Owl Grocery off Highway 271 in Fort Smith. 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. An autopsy could not determine cause of death; she was not shot and apparently was not raped. Melissa Witt was abducted from the parking lot of Bowling World in the evening. The burglar tried to flee out the back but Anstutz confronted him and the two scuffled. Family members bristled at those comments. The city with highest murder rate in Arkansas? From mafia to monsters, check out these 10 unsolved mysteries in Arkansas. The body was discovered by a Conco employee. Cornerstone Mountain Retreat, near Jasper, visitors can walk for miles in pristine forests. By James Pletcher Jr. Jul 25, 2013 . Moody's body was found Nov. 17, 1998, floating in the former Conco Quarryonce at North National Avenue and East Trafficway Street, east of Hammons Field. It's been over 20 years and people are still looking for answers in the murder of Arkansas teenager, Melissa Witt. The two Thackers were sentenced to the Arkansas Department of Correction in August 2011 after pleading guilty in Sebastian County Circuit Court each to a charge of attempted capital murder in. Hurrying to the scene, deputies found a bloody 1961 Ford with bullet holes in it. Records in the Missing Person File are retained indefinitely or until the individual is located or the record is canceled by the entering agency. Dana had been very well-liked, her cousin Kristy said she didnt have any problems with anyone. That humming sound one hears is that of healthy baby bears, nursing to their little heart's content. Early in the history of Arkansas and the city, Fort Smith was an important point of contact to the American West. Of particular interest to Missouri investigators is that Smith raped and stabbed to death anIllinois woman named Jean Bianchi, a 27-year-old housewife. BOONE COUNTY, Ky. - Cold case detectives at the Boone County Sheriff's Office in Kentucky are investigating any possible connection between an unsolved double murder in 2011 and the 2017 . Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. The man told Davis "vigilantes" who suspected him of killing Workman had shot up his mobile home. Three people died and an officer was stabbed in the neck in an incident in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Sunday. "We loved him dearly.". Nobody should ever have to lose a child.. Shedid. 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. We use data, analytics, and a sense of humor to determine the dirt on places across the country. It could not be determined how she was killed. Records in the Missing Person File are retained indefinitely or until the individual is located or the record is canceled by the entering agency. The legend is that a railroad workers head was severed by an oncoming train. He was looking for his cattle when he saw a white object in a grove of cedar trees, near a fallen tree;it was the skull of Carol Blades. Ron Davis, the reporter, interviewed one of them. Georgia said that in the days following Danas disappearance, there were several sighting of her daughter reported to police, but none proved true. At El Patron Mexican . Dana agreed to run out for her father and left the home to make the four-mile drive in her grey Dodge Omni around 3:00 p.m. Georgia said she got home after work around 4:00 p.m., and Lawrence told her Dana had not yet returned. Gun sales shot up for a time, and sales of alarm systems and guard dogs also rose as the murders went unsolved . Sheapparently died within hours of when she vanished, probably in the early hours of Saturday, July 1, 1989. 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. Any ties went to the larger city. Katherine Baker Case Report Number: 90-053018 Two boys and two girls went missing from their Oakland County communities, northwest of Detroit, Michigan, and all were found dead within 19 days. Updated: 6:31 AM CDT October 4, 2021. The suspect had passed a polygraph test and told Davis that when he had talked about killing Workman he was "joking.". Wanted for Arrest. The FBI estimates the national clearance rate for murders is 61 percent. All missing persons must be classified into one of the following categories: NCICs Unidentified Person File came online in 1983. Jenkins told Dateline. Arkansas law requires all missing persons to be entered immediately. If you have information on their whereabouts, please contact the Detective Division at (479) 709-5116 . Jenkins, skeletal remains were in the grave, and Dana Stidhams clothes were found nearby. I can't stop thinking about this case because it's from my home town. Since the 1930s, people have been debating the cause of the light. Donate. Three people in a vehicle spotted the Blades' car as it pulled off of northbound Highway 160 onto the shoulder; a man, possibly the killer,exited the passenger side. There could easily be a scientific explanation for this one, but do you really want to risk it to find out? 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. Trending pages Morgan Nick Don Henry and Kevin Ives Carson Prince Ann Sigmin and Garey Goff Gainesville Killers Tony Alamo Amanda Tusing Larry Chism All items (16) # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Other A Amanda Tusing Ann Sigmin and Garey Goff Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. It was only her second night on the job and first night alone. She was shy and didn't like to smile much; she was self-conscious about a crooked front tooth. December 1, 1994, was a typical day for Missy. On July 25, 1989, Dana went over to her parents house to do some laundry, Georgia said. Western Arkansas was also on the circuit of back roads Clyde Barrow used to evade lawmen from other states. They also tried search warrants and subpoenas for information but had no luck. Oct. 18, 1981: An officer in Texas stops Pruett for speeding and locates a .38-caliber revolver and evidence from Larimer County. 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. 6:30/6:40 pm:Witness reports hearing woman in distress in Bowling World Parking. Unsolved murder of Melissa Witt in 1994. Kristy said her family was struck with fear for what happened to Dana after that. At that point there was no reason to believe she was abducted. William Miller is a member of that group. Uncovered is where the most passionate true crime enthusiasts can learn from and teach others. With over 600,000 acres of lakes and 9,700 miles of hiking trails. Her daughters are now 44 and 46. So we knew something happened to her, Danas cousin, Kristy, told Dateline. There was not one sign of foul play, he said. The Colorado Cold Case Database features unsolved homicides, missing person, and unidentified person cases to assist law enforcement agencies in the development of information, which can lead to the identification, and arrest of any person (s) who may have committed any crime described on this page. Taxes and utilities also rank low on the national scale allowing those searching for dens in early October and early November. A trail of blood was later found in the parking lot. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 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. "Obviously, we have not come up with probablecause to charge anybody at this point. Melissa was hoping to become a dental hygienist. And even the victim and the victims loved ones dont know who the other party iswe normally draw these dead ends, Pevehouse said. It is now home to large manufacturing plants; St. Edward Mercy Medical Center and Sparks Regional Medical Center, which provide healthcare to residents beyond the confines of the city; and the . Both tried to interview witnesses, but they could only speak with certain people. 100 Wayland Smith Drive , Uniontown, PA 15401 +1(724)437-7300 Currently Open. Mark Alan SMITH: 1966 - 1970: 4 - 12: Arkansas, USA : Richard Wayne SNELL: 1983 / 1984: 2: Arkansas, USA . If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already. Missy kept very busy with classes and her part-time job at a local dental clinic where she worked as a dental assistant. Anstuz was a carpenter at Killian Construction in Springfield. As of now, the Sebastian County Sheriffs Office says they havent received any new leads on this case in quite a long while, but if they do, they will immediately investigate. 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. Witt disappeared after arriving at Bowling World in Fort Smith on December 1, 1994. Pruett would soon confess to prosecutors and the media his guilt . Melissas friends and family begin to hand out missing person flyers throughout the River Valley area. 1. She reported her daughter missing. "This would have been around 1989 or 1990," McCaster told HuffPost. She wouldn't let her dad wait on that.. 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. Arkansas, USA : home: last updates . Sunday, August 8, 2021 The Bizarre History of a Long-Unsolved Murder On Sunday morning, August 2, 1964, a fisherman reported a bloodstained vehicle abandoned at the Water Valley Mill northeast of Springfield. No one has ever been charged. We were very young. Who killed Missy Witt? They called around to family members and Danas friends, but no one had heard from her that day. That would be Helena-West Helena with 108.0 murders per 100,000 people. This move prompts an interesting discussion about the rights and preservation of potential fantastical threats. Her logic is that since Smith admitted other slayings he would have admitted this one, as well, if he did it. Known as "The Babysitter", this unidentified serial killer is known to have murdered at least four children, possibly more, between 1976 and 1977. This, however, only applies to their own. The murders remain unsolved. The architectural style is predominantly brick-oriented with many people to move, and land is worth in the unsolved murders in arkansas of your license. A Van Buren man already facing multiple years in prison on various cRiminal convictions saw an additional 15 years tagged on to his prison sentence after a plea deal to wrap up the court proceedings from a July 2021 murder in Fort Smith. Two people witness Melissa's abduction. If you want to get cheaper rates on your hand. She was 75 years old. But he was never charged in connection withAnstutz's murder. The family alleged that the defendant failed to exercise ordinary care to provide for the safety of business. On July 10, 1995, the News-Leader ran a story by reporter Robert Keyes with the headline "Killing 'solved' but never tried." More:'I want justice for my father': An investigation into the 1989 death of Ronnie Johnson. CBI FOHVAMP . We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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! Little Rock He weighed anestimated150 to 160 pounds. And give us some information about what they actually told the police department back there in 1979, daughter Nikki Ensey told 5NEWS. If you send me images or newspaper clippings I assume that I may use them on my website. There were 'only' 26 cities in Arkansas where a city reported a murder to the FBI, meaning 36 places had no murder. 1. 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. Arkansas area. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Jenkins. Soon after she disappeared, the car was discovered about a quarter-milefrom the laundromat. 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. Murder Mystery: The Mickey Mouse Killer Part 1, A retired detective and an Arkansas woman are working to solve Melissa Witt's murder, Murder Mystery: The Mickey Mouse Killer Conclusion, Who Killed Missy Witt? Its illegal to hunt "Whitey" within the protected land. They wrote: "When 'Buff'Lamb was called the night Carols car was found, he did not take fingerprints or even caution people to stay away so the car could be dusted later. According to News-Leader reporting at the time, investigators believe Moody,23, actually was killed on Oct. 28, 1998, weeks before his body was found. She said that in 2003 detectives from Missouri went to Illinois to interview Smith, whodenied ever being in Nixa. 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,. Both girls were 19 at the time of their death, and both were murdered and found in large forests in Arkansas. It simply states where murders occurred most frequently on an absolute and rate basis. Swamp gas, pressurized quartz crystal, and headlight reflections have been possible explanations. The West Memphis Three: Arkansas's most controversial murder case involves three men who were tried and convicted as teenagers in 1994 of the 1993 murders of three eight-year old boys (Steve Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers) in West Memphis, Arkansas. Judge orders North Little Rock mental health facility to pay $2.5M in teen rape case. Therelationship between family and then-Christian County Sheriff L.E. "I kind of bonded with her. I've stood in the same parking lot where Melissa went missing. *While use of the Unidentified Person File is increasing, it is not yet mandated by law to make entries into this file. The Arkansas, Texas & Oklahoma Bureau of Vital Records were contacted in an attempt to locate a death certificate for Nona Young. 2023 www.news-leader.com. We aim to deliver infotainment about where you live that your real estate agent won't tell you. The summer after graduating from Gravette High School in Gravette, Arkansas, 18-year-old Dana Stidham had a job, good friends and was planning for her future, her mother, Georgia Stidham, told Dateline. 5 The Florence Salon Murders. 1992 Natasha Atchley White Female San Jacinto County Ranger Company A Re #: 160 1997 Harold William "Bill" Roland White Male 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. Both cases remain unsolved. The following persons have active warrants for their arrest. He was convicted of the murder of Melissa Trotter who was killed in a very similar manner as Missy. Best Places To Raise A Family In Arkansas, Download The Entire Arkansas Ranking Data. The keys were still in the ignition. Smith has also confessed to killing several women while a U.S. Marine in West Germanyin the 1960s. Despite various theories, the case remains unsolved. KHBS CNN Three people are dead and a police officer is recovering from being. The 1998 murder of John Alan Moody is one of 10 unsolved cold cases listed on the Springfield Police Department website. If you need a pleasant palate cleanser, try touring this cider mill. We have had several people tell us she was not getting along at home. Immediately making identification information available to the public has proven effective in helping to locate missing children as well as missing adults. The clothes she brought to the laundromat were in a drier when she was reporting missing that evening. This can be a post about an unsolved homicide, a missing person, an unidentified person, a wrongful conviction, or forensics. But we're certain he got the idea from some of the real life eye witness reports. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Each of these victims were submitted by families or law enforcement through our submission page. Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. Denver Post . When they find her body, she had been exposed to extreme temperatures, Rush said. He was described as 5 feet 9 or 10 inches tall, a white man with a dark complexion andblack hair combed back. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite. The Little Rock and Fort Smith, the unsolved murders in arkansas near Morrilton, and Arkansas is the North Central Arkansas Speedway in Yellville. Rose Harsent was stabbed to death on 1 June 1902, in Peasenhall, Suffolk, England by an unknown assailant. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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. Moody's father Jim wrote a letter about his son that he gave to the media. If you have any possible . Georgia has now outlived her husband and both of children. That left us with 26 cities to rank. Compare Fort Smith crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout. Recent job growth is Negative. I don't want to go to my grave not knowing, she told Dateline. He ran into a grove of trees anda limb struck hisface. The burglar shot Anstutz twice in the abdomen. In addition, while incarcerated in Illinois he pleaded guilty in March 1971 to killing Obie Fay Ash, 32, of Cotter, Arkansas. The light is the ghosts lantern used to search for his head. Georgia said that this was strange behavior from Dana. According to science fiction writer Richard Shaver, the cave is one of the entrances to a subterranean civilization. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! All rights reserved. Sergeant Jenkins said there are several people of interest in the case, and that it is still being worked as an active investigation. ", Dave Bowden, a corporal with Springfield police at the time, said in a news release:"Physical evidence gathered at and near the scene will be examined over the next several days to determine if the suspect can be linked to the crime. In 1965 it was 90 percent. The National Crime Information Centers (NCICs) Missing Person File was implemented in 1975. The unsolved 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson of West Plainsis but one of many in the Ozarks. On July 25, 1989, 18-year-old Dana Stidham left her parents' home to pick up her father's . Case of Missing Person: Nona Jean Young (Coleman) W/F, 02-26-51 . 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. For more on Vine's crimes, watch "Snapped Notorious: The River Valley Killer.". You can download the data here.We must note that this report is not an analysis of the effectiveness of local police departments. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. DNA evidence then connected him to the other crimes. Murder! 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. She was always smiling and happy, Georgia told Dateline. Melissa asked her mom to borrow some money and told her she would pay her back with her next paycheck. Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Fort Smith Police Department. Or if youd like more nightmare fuel, read about this haunted Arkansas attraction. The Missing Person Active/Expired Analysis and the Unidentified Person Active/Expired Analysis reports are available upon request. Fort Smith shares its status with Greenwood as the county seat of Sebastian County. Arkansas is famous for many homeowners. Six people were on board the boat at the time of the crash, including 19-year-old Paul T. Murdaugh. Howard County Sheriff's Department. Aaron Smith Found Murdered on Serene Campground, A First Look at the Murder of Aaron Smith. With so many things you can choose from. 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's mother assumed that her daughter was with friends that evening. The 2019 Fort Smith crime rate rose by 17% compared to 2018. A family is still looking for answers after a Sebastian County womans murder case remains unsolved 42-years later. Anyone with information that can help solve this case is asked to call the Cold Case Squad at 816-234-5136. Especially at the county levels.". If you have any information regarding the missing persons or homicide victims on this website, please contact the Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit at 727-582-6153 or by email at jsuessiv@pcsonet.com. Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Fort Smith, AR. Some theorize she may have been the victim of a local serial killer, "The River Valley Killer.". Little Rock with 38. It was leaking oil badly; there was mud on the windshield; new scratches on both sides;and the antenna on the backwas bent. Blades had filled it with gas that day and investigators estimated 8 gallons were used. When a crime happens, and you dont know who the other party is. Jenkins told Dateline. 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. Her keys had been picked up and turned into the front desk of the bowling alley; they were found to have traces of blood on them. Book 2), Oklahoma Author Looking For Answers To Arkansas Cold Case. Feeling bad, her mother left her a note asking her to join her for a burger later at Bowling World. Did The River Valley Killer Kidnap A Teenage Girl From A Bowling Alley Parking Lot And Murder Her? After stopping at the store, Blades went to a Nixa laundromat. He ran across a field in a southeast direction and when he realized he was being observed by at least one of the three in the other car he lifted a coat to hide his face. RoadSnacks is reader-supported. 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. His name was never released. Law enforcement agencies should be contacted without delay. 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. Over a month after she went missing, her body was found in the Ozark National Forest. is 6.0%). Our Cases. Jenkins told Dateline. Download the Uncovered Citizen Detective Guide to learn more about how thoughtful and safe online sleuthing. Love Arkansas? The body was found on Forest Service Road 1551, located off Franklin County 111, also known as Jethro Road. She was just the kind of daughter people wish they had. 322 S. Main Street, Ste. Her body was fully clothed. But Melissa never came home, and Mary Anne grew worried. Although not officially a suspect in any Washington . Lifestyle is a possibility that may play a role in his death.". Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Four teenagers were camping on the shores of Lake Bodom in Finland on June 5, 1960, when an unknown group or individual murdered three of them with a knife and blunt instrument. Three years after her murder, Melissa's family, the Parnells' filed a suit against the C N Bowl Corp. No circumstance has a more devastating effect on a family than the unknown whereabouts of a loved one. WEATHER & CLIMATE If you are located in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, is the unsolved murders in arkansas a 16.37-carat white diamond found by a law enforcement officer and those fingerprints compared to the unsolved murders in arkansas in Little Rock, with sports, culture and nightlife abounding. Melanie ETHIER (1996) - ON Julie FORTIER (Unsolved Murder - 1980) - ON Stefan SCHWARTZ (1960) - B.C. Some, however, have since theorized she was the victim of local serial killer Charles Ray Vine, also known as "The River Valley Killer.". FORT SMITH, Ark. For many years there has been one person of interest that has been interviewed and questioned; he is in prison in Illinois," Cole said, referring to Smith. The girl's stepfather found him in the midst of the attack and tried to beat him to death, although a sheriff's deputy arrived and intervened, according to local Fox affiliate station KNWA. It was only after the car was impounded, some three days later, that it was dusted.". ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) There are at least four unsolved missing person cases in North Central Arkansas since 1991, and all are women. She was considering studying business at university. Resources. Jenkins added. It had been abandoned on the shoulder of northbound Highway 160. His father, Alex Murdaugh, a local attorney and the son of Randolph Murdaugh III, owns the boat.. Her car was found in the parking lot, but she was nowhere to be seen. Missy's body was nude and placed near a headstone-shaped rock. Rose Harsent, victim of the Peasenhall murder. Although the case may be cold, the Fort Smith police are still welcoming any information concerning the case. The massacre inspired the movie "The Town that Dreaded Sundown." Between 6:30-7 pm, after class and work, Missy went to the same bowling alley that her mother had mentioned in her note. Melissa Witt was a hardworking and ambitious, 19-year-old college student. An old wives tale is one thing, but once physical evidence gets involved these stories become especially chilling. Melissa's mother, Mary Anne passes away. Lawrence Timmons, 65, was indicted for Smith's murder while he was in jail on unrelated charges, a Lawrence County Sheriff's Office release stated. However, Missy's clothes and personal belongings were missing from the scene and were never found. In December 1977 a man was arrested in connection to the death and questioned. Some of that gas, but not all,could be accounted for by a trip Blades made to Kmart in Springfield to buypresents. The IMCA sanctioned 3/8 mile oval and I situated in the Van Buren - Fort Smith area at the unsolved murders in arkansas a fairly temperate climate throughout much of the National Park engulfs the . 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.
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