Feeling bad, her mother left her a note asking her to join her for a burger later at Bowling World. 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 . Although the case may be cold, the Fort Smith police are still welcoming any information concerning the case. She was running low on money, she was going to come out and have her mother buy her a hamburger. Some, however, have since theorized she was the victim of local serial killer Charles Ray Vine, also known as "The River Valley Killer.". On a daily basis, JC. 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. Our Cases. Both tried to interview witnesses, but they could only speak with certain people. These are the places in Arkansas where people were killed most often, according to the latest FBI numbers. Harsent was six months pregnant at the time of her death. Sergeant Shannon Jenkins of the Benton County Sheriff's Office told Dateline that they received a phone call from Danas brother, Larry, at 9:15 p.m. on the 25th to report Dana missing. Theres a seedy underbelly to almost everywhere, but knowing these dark occurrences happen in your own backyard is particularly nerve wracking. It was only after the car was impounded, some three days later, that it was dusted.". More than 30 years later, Fisher's estranged wife was charged with first-degree murder. She was considering studying business at university. Since the 1930s, people have been debating the cause of the light. So we wanted to get the facts straight and dug into the FBI crime data in order to identify the places with the most murders and the highest murder rates per capita in Arkansas. Smith confessed that he raped Ash and stabbed her to death at theTV repair shop where he worked in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Nobody should ever have to lose a child.. The burglar shot Anstutz twice in the abdomen. 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. I can't stop thinking about this case because it's from my home town. Heultimately raped and murdered two elderly women in the River Valley, Arkansas area: Juanita Wofford in 1993, and Ruth Henderson in 1995. Home > Crime Info & Support > Crime Information Center > Community Information > Missing Persons Information. If you send me images or newspaper clippings I assume that I may use them on my website. Best Places To Raise A Family In Arkansas, Download The Entire Arkansas Ranking Data. 322 S. Main Street, Ste. The Little Rock and Fort Smith, the unsolved murders in arkansas near Morrilton, and Arkansas is the North Central Arkansas Speedway in Yellville. Do you feel thoroughly thrilled and chilled? And give us some information about what they actually told the police department back there in 1979, daughter Nikki Ensey told 5NEWS. Jenkins told Dateline. 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. Branford Antoine Lewis, who was given an additional 18 and 1/2 years on an existing sentence in early February, returned to Sebastian County Circuit Court on . 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. People who live in Fort Smith generally consider the southeast part of the city to be the safest. Faces of Unsolved Homicide - Project: Cold Case. It was higher than in 97.1% U.S. cities. And even the victim and the victims loved ones dont know who the other party iswe normally draw these dead ends, Pevehouse said. With so many things you can choose from. Generally, cases are solved when the offender has been arrested and turned over to the court for prosecution. So, we grew up without her basically our whole lives, said Enseys youngest daughter Nikki Ensey. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. 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. 1. All missing persons must be classified into one of the following categories: NCICs Unidentified Person File came online in 1983. Stephen Smith, 19, July 2015 Stephen Smith, a 19-year-old nursing student at the time, was found dead in the middle of the road on July 8, 2015, Bluffton Today reported . Immediately making identification information available to the public has proven effective in helping to locate missing children as well as missing adults. And we have, every time we getany kind of lead whatsoever, run down that lead. The 25-year-old store clerk child was gunned down in an overnight robbery. Melissa Witt was abducted from the parking lot of Bowling World in the evening. During the school year, Dana had been working after school and on weekends at Harps Food Store in Bella Vista, Arkansas. It could not be determined how she was killed. With over 600,000 acres of lakes and 9,700 miles of hiking trails. All rights reserved. She was really sweet, everybody liked her, she was friends with everybody.. 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. Mary Anne had assumed her daughter went to hang with friends and never made it to the bowling alley. 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. The police looked at the good samaritan very closely before dismissing him as a suspect. She was shy and didn't like to smile much; she was self-conscious about a crooked front tooth. And, they asked, who leaves their clothes in a drier prior to running off? According to the News-Leader story, Kemm-Highton encouraged Geraldine Horton, the mother of Carol Blades, to writeto Smith. 6:30/6:40 pm:Witness reports hearing woman in distress in Bowling World Parking. 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. William Scott Smith Unemployed cook, Salem, Ore. . December 1, 1994, was a typical day for Missy. Its illegal to hunt "Whitey" within the protected land. The day she disappeared Blades was driving the couple's 1965 Chevy Impala. 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. 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. When a crime happens, and you dont know who the other party is. Amy Anstutz saw the burglar in the house. In addition, a homicide can be cleared if there is enough evidence to arrest and charge a suspect, but that suspect is dead. Shes waited 42 years for answers. They denied ever suggesting Lamb was involvedbut stood firm in their belief Lamb was incompetent as a criminal investigator. Episode 34 - Arkansas - Who Killed Melissa Witt? In 1965 it was 90 percent. Both girls were 19 at the time of their death, and both were murdered and found in large forests in Arkansas. We all watch the news with horror when we hear about a homicide that happens not that far away from us. Arkansas law requires all missing persons to be entered immediately. There were 'only' 26 cities in Arkansas where a city reported a murder to the FBI, meaning 36 places had no murder. Download the Uncovered Citizen Detective Guide to learn more about how thoughtful and safe online sleuthing. Blades was 5-foot-2 and 115 pounds. 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. Turner retired from law enforcement in 2020 after nearly 24 years with the Ozark Police Department. 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 . Soon after she disappeared, the car was discovered about a quarter-milefrom the laundromat. However, she never made it inside. If I did, I would certainly honor your most understandable request.. 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 News-Leader reporting at the time, investigators believe Moody,23, actually was killed on Oct. 28, 1998, weeks before his body was found. In 1973, legislation created the White River Monster Refuge. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! She lived with her parents, who were farmers, about 1.5 miles from the cemetery. The rest of Danas family became alarmed when they still had not heard from her that night. There could easily be a scientific explanation for this one, but do you really want to risk it to find out? Outdoor enthusiasts can try their hand at fly fishing on the North Central Arkansas Speedway in Yellville. He was shot in the back and, police say, beaten. Went to the store, and people said that she had been there and bought what she needed and left, Georgia said. Over a month after she went missing, her body was found in the Ozark National Forest. Furthermore, Swearingen was known to be in the area around the time Missy was abducted. He ran into a grove of trees anda limb struck hisface. 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. Melissa is pronounced deceased. Six people were on board the boat at the time of the crash, including 19-year-old Paul T. Murdaugh. If you have information on any of the persons . According to private investigators, it was her second night on the job and her first time working solo. More:Pokin Around: Inspired by a readers question, an investigation into the 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson. The FBI estimates the national clearance rate for murders is 61 percent. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks. It just destroyed us.. If you have any information, you can call the River Valley crime stoppers at (479)-78-CRIME. 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. 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. Once inside, the responders found the brutalized bodies of four teenage girls-Amy Ayers, Jennifer Harbison, Sarah Harbison and Eliza Thomas. Her friends say she was friendly, kind-hearted, and a hard worker, which would serve her well as she dreamed of and was working toward her goal of becoming a dental hygienist. The National Crime Information Center's (NCIC's) Missing Person File was implemented in 1975. Known as "The Babysitter", this unidentified serial killer is known to have murdered at least four children, possibly more, between 1976 and 1977. Therelationship between family and then-Christian County Sheriff L.E. Anstuz was a carpenter at Killian Construction in Springfield. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. A mother's 30-year missions to uncover the truth about what happened to her son's in 1987 has led a federal judge to order an urgent review of several tightly guarded government . 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. True Crime Garage - Melissa Witt Part 2 /// 162, True Crime Garage - Melissa Witt Part 1/// 161, Murder in the Hills, episode 1: The Unsolved Murder of Melissa Witt & The Abduction of Morgan Nick, Local Documentarians Develop New Leads in Melissa Witt Cold Case, 304 // Who Killed Melissa Witt? The only clues left at the scene were a gold hoop earring, a crushed hair clip, her car keys, and pools of blood. Interactive map produced by Yutao Chen. Jenkins, skeletal remains were in the grave, and Dana Stidhams clothes were found nearby. Photo credit: Kurt Wilson/ Missoulian. Certain details are withheld due to maintaining the integrity of the case, Sgt. Police ruled Danas death a homicide, but would not confirm the exact cause of death. A family is still looking for answers after a Sebastian County womans murder case remains unsolved 42-years later. He chose not to cooperate and therefore remains a suspect in this murder. The state has a surprising number of bone chilling tales, from cold cases to urban legends. Cornerstone Mountain Retreat, near Jasper, visitors can walk for miles in pristine forests. 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. Details About Her Unsolved Murder And Why Police Haven't Caught The Killer. There was no one in the store, and there should have been, said Pevehouse. Image. Arkansas, USA : home: last updates . Smith was also questioned in the 1983 unsolved murder of a 14-year-old girl in Idaho. Did the River Valley Killer Have Other Victims? Georgia said they checked all the possible routes that Dana might have taken, and did not see her car anywhere. Tara was sleeping, and her other had to wake her up, but she didn't know where Melissa was. The cemetery is 13 miles northwest of Ava in Douglas County. Some theorize she may have been the victim of a local serial killer, "The River Valley Killer.". RELATED: Details About The Murder Of Arkansas Teen Dana Stidham And Why Police Have Yet To Find Her Killer Alabama. Taxes and utilities also rank low on the national scale allowing those searching for dens in early October and early November. Three years after her murder, Melissa's family, the Parnells' filed a suit against the C N Bowl Corp. Especially at the county levels.". Drugs is a possibility. 18 unsolved slayings in this area in five years. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! 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. Search dogs were used in the days following Danas disappearance, Sgt. Steve Hamilton was a Springfield police lieutenant at the time. 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. Workman was 6 feet tall and 135 pounds. 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. Start browsing the folder's contents at the beginning of the file. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. Who Killed Dana Stidham? The Missing Person Active/Expired Analysis and the Unidentified Person Active/Expired Analysis reports are available upon request. Both cases remain unsolved. Ashley County Obituaries, 1965-present from the Ashley County Ledger - also includes cemetery listings. 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! The hunt for answers continues to this day, as the case remains open,THV11 KTHV reported. Melissa was hoping to become a dental hygienist. Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Fort Smith, AR. Should Smith, now 73, ever be releasedin Illinoishe would face a life sentence in Arkansas. She says her mothers abduction and murder affected the entire family. If you have any updates in any of these cases please contact me. 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. When she entered the salon, she first saw the corpse of 62-year-old Dorothy Harris. Resources. Shedid. 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. The Arkansas, Texas & Oklahoma Bureau of Vital Records were contacted in an attempt to locate a death certificate for Nona Young. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Fort Smith is 1 in 90 and property crime is 1 in 18. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. But she never made it inside. "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. 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. 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. Anyone with information that can help solve this case is asked to call the Cold Case Squad at 816-234-5136. Arkansas isnt always peaceful forests and serene waterfalls. An old wives tale is one thing, but once physical evidence gets involved these stories become especially chilling. But Mary Ann knew this was out of character for Melissa. Join a singles club and meet with great singles. In 1999, high school seniors J.B. Hilton Green Beasley and Tracie Jean . 322 South Main Streeet, Suite 615 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-2222 / Visit Website. 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. 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.
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