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Instead, we looked at the hard numbers from the FBI's last year of reporting. Mary Ann calls Melissa's best friend, Tara to see if she has heard from Melissa. Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950 (requires payment) at Ancestry/has about 594,000 listings. Melissa Witt was killed in Arkansas in 1994. 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. She was a 1967 graduate of Nixa High and her maiden name was Horton. She was just the kind of daughter people wish they had. He was active in the area at that time, and he had attacked another teenager in Arkansas. 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. There is no required waiting period to report a missing person. You just cant accept that your child is gone. We aim to deliver infotainment about where you live that your real estate agent won't tell you. Western Arkansas was also on the circuit of back roads Clyde Barrow used to evade lawmen from other states. The Category is reserved for cases of Unsolved Mysteries that occurred in Arkansas. Sergeant Jenkins said there are several people of interest in the case, and that it is still being worked as an active investigation. She was always smiling and happy, Georgia told Dateline. Despite various theories, the case remains unsolved. However, they still have hope. Shes waited 42 years for answers. City of Fort Collins Police Services, 2221 Timberline Road, Fort Collins, CO 80525 Phone: 970.221.6540 (non-emergency) . Continue with Recommended Cookies. There was no one in the store, and there should have been, said Pevehouse. 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. Smith was also questioned in the 1983 unsolved murder of a 14-year-old girl in Idaho. Photo credit: Kurt Wilson/ Missoulian. Blades' husband, Larry, and her parents Louis and Geraldine Horton took issue with the sheriff's comments. 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 Missing Person Active/Expired Analysis and the Unidentified Person Active/Expired Analysis reports are available upon request. For individuals wishing to review their own record or somebody who they know hasn't been out of the unsolved murders in arkansas as being the unsolved murders in arkansas in Arkansas. He was shot in the back and, police say, beaten. Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. 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. The Arkansas, Texas & Oklahoma Bureau of Vital Records were contacted in an attempt to locate a death certificate for Nona Young. 322 S. Main Street, Ste. The unsolved 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson of West Plainsis but one of many in the Ozarks. December 1, 1994, was a typical day for Missy. Arkansas Gravestones has over 1.3 million gravestone photos. Although the region has its fair share of beauty and wonder, thats not all youll find there. When Georgia received the call from police that evening that Danas body had been found, she said her only reaction was, It just couldn't be. Book 2), Oklahoma Author Looking For Answers To Arkansas Cold Case. Here's what is known about them SABRINA LYNN UNDERWOOD:. "Obviously, we have not come up with probablecause to charge anybody at this point. Updated: 6:31 AM CDT October 4, 2021. As time passes on, I am afraid my sons murderer or murderers will not be found.. She was considering studying business at university. If they can come forward anonymously, they could contact Sebastian County Sheriffs Office, Rush said. She was shy and didn't like to smile much; she was self-conscious about a crooked front tooth. The burglar shot Anstutz twice in the abdomen. Dumping on the Razorback Greenway worries residents, Police: Greenwood teen taken into custody on drug charges, Storm warning fatigue | Alerting Arkansas, Detective believes 1995 murder of Arkansas teen could be tied to another case, Alma Police receive hundreds of tips since 'Still Missing Morgan' documentary aired. 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. 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. All rights reserved. According to science fiction writer Richard Shaver, the cave is one of the entrances to a subterranean civilization. With so many things you can choose from. READ MORE 5. Resources. 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. Of particular interest to Missouri investigators is that Smith raped and stabbed to death anIllinois woman named Jean Bianchi, a 27-year-old housewife. The lawnmowing job was only about one-third complete and her car was still there, with the keys in it. William Miller is a member of that group. Image. Both tried to interview witnesses, but they could only speak with certain people. Paul Anstutz, 26, and his wife Amy, 30, returned home on a Thursday night, Oct. 8, 1992, and surprised a burglar in their homeat 2546 S. Glenwood Terrace, in the Brentwood Terrace subdivision. The police looked at the good samaritan very closely before dismissing him as a suspect. "Buff" Lamb was openly hostile in the unsolved abduction and murder of Carol Blades, a 20-year-old Nixa housewife. 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. Archive statistics are available upon request. She had accidentally left something on, and the battery was dead. "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. "They was just looking for anything to say, they was all upset.". Outreach. The keys were still in the ignition. Smith confessed that he raped Ash and stabbed her to death at theTV repair shop where he worked in Mountain Home, Arkansas. The court determined that the events were not foreseeable and the case was ultimately dismissed. There is a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the people who killed . The FBI considers eyewitness identification notoriously unreliable, the story stated. This is extremely important in cases involving a possible abduction, suspected foul play or an at-risk situation. If anyone has information regarding any of the missing persons cases, please contact the Missing Persons Clearinghouse at 907-269-5038 (local), 800-478-9333 (toll free) or email dps.missing.persons@alaska.gov. Some theorize she may have been the victim of a local serial killer, "The River Valley Killer.". That left us with 26 cities to rank. "Westill follow up on leads that come in from time to time," he said. Her mother declined to give it to her. Arrested and charged with four counts each of murder were Charles Anthony Diaz, 47, of Vallejo, and Gerald Michael Lester, 47, of Fort Smith, Ark. William Gardiner, a preacher of the Primitive Methodist Chapel, was suspected due . It was only her second. About. Again, these statistics are an indication of where crimes occur, not a statement about the effectiveness of the law enforcement in the areas they serve. KHBS CNN Three people are dead and a police officer is recovering from being. Arkansas, USA : home: last updates . She was found not guilty in 2015. I dont recall exactly what the male voice said, but it was something like, I cant. And then he hung up the phone., 9:40 am:Melissa's body is found by two trappers in the Ozark National Forest. Ive always felt that the phone call was tied to what had happened, Rider said. When you click through real estate links on our site, we earn an affiliate commission. Gun sales shot up for a time, and sales of alarm systems and guard dogs also rose as the murders went unsolved . That summer, Dana spent some time living with her cousin, Kristy Smith, before moving into a different apartment with her brother, Larry, and a roommate in Centerton, Arkansas. A kind stranger came along and gave her a jump start. Anyone with information about the murder of Melissa Witt is urged to contact the Fort Smith Police Department at [emailprotected], or by calling (479)709-5100. 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. Georgia was at work at the time, but her husband Lawrence was at home. No one noticed the blood splatter on her keys at the time. An unclesaw her mowing at 5:40 p.m.; her absence was noticed at about 6:15 p.m. They were attributed to an alleged unidentified serial killer known as the Phantom of Texarkana or simply the Phantom Killer or Phantom Slayer. Do you live in one of the murder capitals of Arkansas? 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. You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website. 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. Timmons already had a kidnapping conviction on his record, having abducted and held an 11-year-old boy in 1976, KYTV reported. 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? In addition, a homicide can be cleared if there is enough evidence to arrest and charge a suspect, but that suspect is dead. Unsolved murder of Melissa Witt in 1994. Over a month after she went missing, her body was found in the Ozark National Forest. Generally, cases are solved when the offender has been arrested and turned over to the court for prosecution. Tragically, we'll never know who murdered these young men. Oct. 18, 1981: An officer in Texas stops Pruett for speeding and locates a .38-caliber revolver and evidence from Larimer County. Aaron Smith Found Murdered on Serene Campground, A First Look at the Murder of Aaron Smith. Early in the history of Arkansas and the city, Fort Smith was an important point of contact to the American West. If she was going to be late, she always called.. We all know she was really responsible, and she knew her dad was waiting on the medicine. Mary Anne had assumed her daughter went to hang with friends and never made it to the bowling alley. DNA evidence then connected him to the other crimes. Interactive map produced by Yutao Chen. On July 25, 1989, 18-year-old Dana Stidham left her parents' home to pick up her father's . *While use of the Unidentified Person File is increasing, it is not yet mandated by law to make entries into this file. Smith has also confessed to killing several women while a U.S. Marine in West Germanyin the 1960s. The car shows signs of a struggle. More Cost of Living or Compare Fort Smith's Cost of Living. It is our seventh time ranking the most places with the most murders per capita in Arkansas and is updated for 2021. Melissa Witt was abducted from the parking lot of Bowling World in the evening. It could not be determined how she was killed. Lambblamed the Blades family for starting rumors that he was involved in the murder. Three people died and an officer was stabbed in the neck in an incident in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Sunday. At that time, we didnt have Caller ID in the office; it was a voice recording on the machine we had at our Major Crimes Office. Our Cases. If you have information on their whereabouts, please contact the Detective Division at (479) 709-5116 . From mafia to monsters, check out these 10 unsolved mysteries in Arkansas. Juan Ignacio Blanco MALE murderers: . The body wasdecomposed. An autopsy could not determine cause of death; she was not shot and apparently was not raped. On a daily basis, JC. The suspect apparently was spotted soon after the murder. Details About Her Unsolved Murder And Why Police Haven't Caught The Killer. Two people witness Melissa's abduction. 2023 www.news-leader.com. Katherine Baker Case Report Number: 90-053018 Your anonymous call could lead to a $1,000 reward. If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already. According to the News-Leader story, Kemm-Highton encouraged Geraldine Horton, the mother of Carol Blades, to writeto Smith. A strange phone call made to police a day or two prior to the discovery of the body helps support this theory, he said. There could easily be a scientific explanation for this one, but do you really want to risk it to find out? But we're certain he got the idea from some of the real life eye witness reports. Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. Arkansas isnt always peaceful forests and serene waterfalls. Any ties went to the larger city. The Possible Police Connection A witness using the name of "Jerry" came forward to say that he saw sitting in a convenience store parking lot the night of August 22-23, 1987 and saw three teenaged boys, one on a motorcycle, hanging out . 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. Records in the Missing Person File are retained indefinitely or until the individual is located or the record is canceled by the entering agency. 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. Sheapparently died within hours of when she vanished, probably in the early hours of Saturday, July 1, 1989. The only clues left at the scene were a gold hoop earring, a crushed hair clip, her car keys, and pools of blood. By James Pletcher Jr. Jul 25, 2013 . Six people were on board the boat at the time of the crash, including 19-year-old Paul T. Murdaugh. RELATED: Details About The Murder Of Arkansas Teen Dana Stidham And Why Police Have Yet To Find Her Killer Alabama. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson of West Plains, Pokin Around: Inspired by a readers question, an investigation into the 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson, 'I want justice for my father': An investigation into the 1989 death of Ronnie Johnson, Woman, 15 at the time, disputes account that turkey hunters found Ronnie Johnson's body in the woods, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. 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. They also tried search warrants and subpoenas for information but had no luck. Unsolved Ozarks murders: Woman was last seen mowing cemetery, man shot by burglar Steve Pokin Springfield News-Leader The unsolved 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson of West Plains is but one. 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. The city with highest murder rate in Arkansas? 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 . Kristy told Dateline she and Dana were especially close since they were only a year apart. While a murder just blocks or even a couple of towns away from your house would make anyone uneasy, in the long run, most likely, where you live is relatively safe. 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. Case of Missing Person: Nona Jean Young (Coleman) W/F, 02-26-51 . If you're looking at the places in Arkansas with the most murders, and where residents have the highest chances of being killed themselves, this is an accurate list. 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. Tara Strozier, a 40-year-old from Fort Smith, Arkansas, was last seen alive about 20 miles away across state lines in Cameron, Oklahoma, on July 17, according to the Fort Smith Police Department . Furthermore, Swearingen was known to be in the area around the time Missy was abducted. 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. While there are surveys and public polls on what cities in a state are the most dangerous, we didn't want to rely on speculation and opinion. She was our joy. 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. Georgia said that in the days following Danas disappearance, there were several sighting of her daughter reported to police, but none proved true. Turner retired from law enforcement in 2020 after nearly 24 years with the Ozark Police Department. During the school year, Dana had been working after school and on weekends at Harps Food Store in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Brad Cole, current Christian County sheriff, said the Blades murder is an open case. 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. Home > Crime Info & Support > Crime Information Center > Community Information > Missing Persons Information. He said it was likely there was more than one assailant because Workman wasstrong. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. We use data, analytics, and a sense of humor to determine the dirt on places across the country. I always wanted my son to be aman of his word. Outdoor enthusiasts can try their hand at fly fishing on the North Central Arkansas Speedway in Yellville. Friday, March 17th TV listings for MNT (KFSM-TV2) Fort Smith, AR. Crime in Arkansas. She says her mothers abduction and murder affected the entire family. 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.". Ron Davis, the reporter, interviewed one of them. 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. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Dig deeper into the stories you've heard before, and encounter many others you haven't, in ways that actually help. We all watch the news with horror when we hear about a homicide that happens not that far away from us. Diaz is president of the Vallejo chapter of. Arkansas Death Records Indexes, Obituaries and Cemeteries by County. Although the case may be cold, the Fort Smith police are still welcoming any information concerning the case. She was later found dead by trappers, who spotted her by a logging trail in the Ozark National Forest, about 50 miles from where she was abducted, the KTHV reported. Melissa was hoping to become a dental hygienist. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Melissa asked her mom to borrow some money and told her she would pay her back with her next paycheck. So we knew something happened to her, Danas cousin, Kristy, told Dateline. Would you dare investigate what clawed monster lives in the deep? Uncovered is where the most passionate true crime enthusiasts can learn from and teach others. OPEN/ UNSOLVED CASES . The suspect had passed a polygraph test and told Davis that when he had talked about killing Workman he was "joking.". When her shift ended, her car wouldnt start. . 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. WEATHER & CLIMATE Police called the man a "suspect." His sentence in Illinois was lengthened in1977; hewas given another 18 years for trying to escape. A family is still looking for answers after a Sebastian County womans murder case remains unsolved 42-years later. No arrests have been made in connection with her death. Her car was found in the parking lot, but she was nowhere to be seen. Moody's father Jim wrote a letter about his son that he gave to the media. A homicide can also be cleared if the victim of the crime hinders the prosecution by refusing to testify. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! ", In August, 2005, then News-Leader columnist Mike O'Brien interviewed a Springfield writer who had published a book on the Blades murder:A Body on the Farm: The Disappearance and Murder of Carol Blades.". 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. Sort All Cases By: Company Area | Male | Female | County | Year | Last Name Results: 13 Record (s) Found. Her logic is that since Smith admitted other slayings he would have admitted this one, as well, if he did it. 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. Steve Hamilton was a Springfield police lieutenant at the time. A homicide is considered cleared if at least one person has been arrested, formally charged and handed over to a court of law for trial. Immediately making identification information available to the public has proven effective in helping to locate missing children as well as missing adults. If a manila folder image appears, this means you are at the beginning of the case file. 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. The National Crime Information Centers (NCICs) Missing Person File was implemented in 1975. Theres a seedy underbelly to almost everywhere, but knowing these dark occurrences happen in your own backyard is particularly nerve wracking. The rest of Danas family became alarmed when they still had not heard from her that night. Firefighters responded to reports of smoke rising from a yogurt shop on West Anderson Lane. It simply states where murders occurred most frequently on an absolute and rate basis. Danas personal belongings, however, were not inside the car. If you want to get cheaper rates on your hand. They called around to family members and Danas friends, but no one had heard from her that day. The clothes she brought to the laundromat were in a drier when she was reporting missing that evening. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Episode 34 - Arkansas - Who Killed Melissa Witt? But could he have been responsible for another murder? His name was never released. Her body was placed near a headstone-like rock. Submit Your Loved One. Howard County Sheriff's Department. Her body was found on September 16, 1989 in Benton County, Arkansas. Melissa Witt was a hardworking and ambitious, 19-year-old college student. You can find the link in the menu bar. 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. 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. A documentary is being developed to cover Missy's case, and community advocates recently launched a billboard campaign to highlight her unsolved murder. Best Places To Raise A Family In Arkansas, Download The Entire Arkansas Ranking Data. "I think I can speak for the entire family when I tell you that the entire investigation both past and present has been an utter and complete disappointment. 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. They died never knowing what happened to Dana. 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. Some of the biggest unsolved murders in Arkansas include the 1994 murder of Melissa "Missy" Witt, the 1995 murder of Marlo Taylor, and the 1987 double murder of Don Henry and Kevin Ives, among countless others which receive much less media attention. 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. 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. The 25-year-old store clerk child was gunned down in an overnight robbery. According to private investigators, it was her second night on the job and her first time working solo. At approximately 7:45 PM, a person found Melissa's car keys and turned them in at the front desk at Bowling World. 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. Danas parents continued to drive around, but did not find their daughter.