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. She wasidentified by dental records. 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. Ron Davis, the reporter, interviewed one of them. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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. 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 . In Arkansas you also have added to the unsolved murders in arkansas an unusual place to visit. He was elected sheriff in 1968; lost in 1972 (some say because of the unsolved Blades murder); and re-elected in 1976 and 1980. ", 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. An unclesaw her mowing at 5:40 p.m.; her absence was noticed at about 6:15 p.m. The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) receives monthly NCIC reports concerning the Missing and Unidentified Person files. 2023 www.news-leader.com. Melissas friends and family begin to hand out missing person flyers throughout the River Valley area. On July 25, 1989, Dana went over to her parents house to do some laundry, Georgia said. 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. 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. Manage Settings Often in unsolved murders, family members of the victim lose faith in the investigators trying to solve the case so charges can be filed. Certain details are withheld due to maintaining the integrity of the case, Sgt. Two people witness Melissa's abduction. Family members bristled at those comments. This is a list of notable male murderers who committed their murders in Arkansas, USA. Compare Fort Smith crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout. In 1965 it was 90 percent. 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. Because of the lack of leads, her murder is now considered to be a cold case. Melissa is pronounced deceased. The keys were still in the ignition. We were robbed of her wisdom and just her life in general.. Her body was found a year later in the Ozark Mountains by trappers. The suspect apparently was spotted soon after the murder. Should Smith, now 73, ever be releasedin Illinoishe would face a life sentence in Arkansas. Melissa Witt was killed in Arkansas in 1994. Her daughters are now 44 and 46. . Harsent was six months pregnant at the time of her death. Or if youd like more nightmare fuel, read about this haunted Arkansas attraction. The suspect had passed a polygraph test and told Davis that when he had talked about killing Workman he was "joking.". Did the River Valley Killer Have Other Victims? 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. Melissa Witt was abducted from a bowling alley parking lot in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1994. An autopsy could not determine cause of death; she was not shot and apparently was not raped. Georgia has now outlived her husband and both of children. 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! "Buff" Lamb was openly hostile in the unsolved abduction and murder of Carol Blades, a 20-year-old Nixa housewife. The murders of Greg Collins, Daniel Bearden, James Milan, Jordan Kettleson, and Mike Samples remain unsolved. Records are retained indefinitely, unless removed by the entering agency. He chose not to cooperate and therefore remains a suspect in this murder. 322 S. Main Street, Ste. 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. OPEN/ UNSOLVED CASES . *While use of the Unidentified Person File is increasing, it is not yet mandated by law to make entries into this file. While the city with highest number of murders period? But Melissa never came home, and Mary Anne grew worried. The legend is that a railroad workers head was severed by an oncoming train. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks. The National Crime Information Centers (NCICs) Missing Person File was implemented in 1975. Fort Smith jobs have decreased by 1.6%. Heultimately raped and murdered two elderly women in the River Valley, Arkansas area: Juanita Wofford in 1993, and Ruth Henderson in 1995. It could not be determined how she was killed. 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. She had been strangled to death and sexually assaulted. Arkansas Crime Information Center. When you click through real estate links on our site, we earn an affiliate commission. But we're certain he got the idea from some of the real life eye witness reports. 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. There also was a younger male voice, also with a really strong Southern accent. This was on Dec. 3, 1969 12 days before Blades was abducted and killed. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Kristy said her family was struck with fear for what happened to Dana after that. Sheriff Lamb, who died at age 77 in 2001, was a former rodeo performer who as sheriff wasknown for straight talk and at times for roughing up those in custody. Outreach. He was convicted of the murder of Melissa Trotter who was killed in a very similar manner as Missy. "Obviously, we have not come up with probablecause to charge anybody at this point. 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. Possibly the most spectacular of the crimes were the September 1983 bludgeoning deaths of News-Sentinel editorial page editor Dan Osborne, his wife, Jane, and their 11-year-old son, Ben, at their home on South Harrison Street. The only clues left at the scene were a gold hoop earring, a crushed hair clip, her car keys, and pools of blood. She was running low on money, she was going to come out and have her mother buy her a hamburger. The Oakland County Child Killer. The 1998 murder of John Alan Moody is one of 10 unsolved cold cases listed on the Springfield Police Department website. 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. 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. However, she never made it inside. 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. If you have any possible . From mafia to monsters, check out these 10 unsolved mysteries in Arkansas. I've stood in the same parking lot where Melissa went missing. I wanted a better life for him than I had. 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. Georgia said that in the days following Danas disappearance, there were several sighting of her daughter reported to police, but none proved true. 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. However, they still have hope. Both Rush and Ensey believe police can solve the case. 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. The coat was corduroy and possibly fleece-lined. The cases. 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. She was considering studying business at university. 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. ", More:Woman, 15 at the time, disputes account that turkey hunters found Ronnie Johnson's body in the woods. Episode 34 - Arkansas - Who Killed Melissa Witt? And give us some information about what they actually told the police department back there in 1979, daughter Nikki Ensey told 5NEWS. You can download the data here. The 19-year-old had stopped by to get a hamburger from her mother, according to a 2021 report from local station THV11KTHV. The News-Leader contacted Kelle Ann Workman's brother, Marc. Recent job growth is Negative. Instead, we looked at the hard numbers from the FBI's last year of reporting. There is no required waiting period to report a missing person. 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. For some strange reason no one volunteered to climb down to see what pulled the rope. Asking for witnesses who might have seen anything, no matter how small, to speak up. The rest of Danas family became alarmed when they still had not heard from her that night. By James Pletcher Jr. Jul 25, 2013 . Arkansas law requires all missing persons to be entered immediately. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Helena-West Helena Source: Public domain Overall SnackAbility 1 /10 Population: 10,187 Rank Last Year: 8 Murders: 11 (4th Most) Murders Per 100k: 108.0 (Most) More on Helena-West Helena: Data | Photos 2. He said: There are many possibilities in the death of Mr. Moody. The body was found on Forest Service Road 1551, located off Franklin County 111, also known as Jethro Road. ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) There are at least four unsolved missing person cases in North Central Arkansas since 1991, and all are women. 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. Georgia was at work at the time, but her husband Lawrence was at home. 18 unsolved slayings in this area in five years. Join a singles club and meet with great singles. Both cases remain unsolved. After Vine's arrest, the possibility he killed Witt was considered. William Gardiner, a preacher of the Primitive Methodist Chapel, was suspected due . 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. Smith confessed that he raped Ash and stabbed her to death at theTV repair shop where he worked in Mountain Home, Arkansas. There was not one sign of foul play, he said. Steve Hamilton was a Springfield police lieutenant at the time. Judge orders North Little Rock mental health facility to pay $2.5M in teen rape case. December 1, 1994, was a typical day for Missy. All rights reserved. It was higher than in 97.1% U.S. cities. 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. The officer told Mary Ann that since Melissa is over 18, she can leave on her own accord. The city with highest murder rate in Arkansas? Next 10 CitiesHow we calculated the murder capitals of ArkansasWhile 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. Little Rock: 56 | North Little Rock: 23. 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 unsolved murders in arkansas. Denver Post . "Westill follow up on leads that come in from time to time," he said. This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website. 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. Workman was 6 feet tall and 135 pounds. If you have any updates in any of these cases please contact me. Did The River Valley Killer Kidnap A Teenage Girl From A Bowling Alley Parking Lot And Murder Her? I can't stop thinking about this case because it's from my home town. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. Murder! The unsolved 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson of West Plainsis but one of many in the Ozarks. You can also report any information you may have concerning a crime and could receive a . That caused him to jerk the coat down. It simply states where murders occurred most frequently on an absolute and rate basis. Melissa's mother assumed that her daughter was with friends that evening. The police looked at the good samaritan very closely before dismissing him as a suspect. Police called the man a "suspect." It was described in news storiesas "torn up." He was active in the area at that time, and he had attacked another teenager in Arkansas. Tragically, we'll never know who murdered these young men. Dana had been very well-liked, her cousin Kristy said she didnt have any problems with anyone. Generally, cases are solved when the offender has been arrested and turned over to the court for prosecution. Lifestyle is a possibility that may play a role in his death.". RoadSnacks is reader-supported. READ MORE 5. 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. Rose Harsent was stabbed to death on 1 June 1902, in Peasenhall, Suffolk, England by an unknown assailant. But she never made it inside. is 6.0%). It's been over 20 years and people are still looking for answers in the murder of Arkansas teenager, Melissa Witt. According to science fiction writer Richard Shaver, the cave is one of the entrances to a subterranean civilization. Western Arkansas was also on the circuit of back roads Clyde Barrow used to evade lawmen from other states. There were 'only' 26 cities in Arkansas where a city reported a murder to the FBI, meaning 36 places had no murder. Jenkins, skeletal remains were in the grave, and Dana Stidhams clothes were found nearby. It's been nearly 30 years since Pam Felkins was kidnapped from her job at an Arkansas video store, raped and then murdered -- but . So we knew something happened to her, Danas cousin, Kristy, told Dateline. FPD Sergeant Tony Murphy said. IE 11 is not supported. The monthly statistics are calculated to address the most frequently requested inquiries. 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. 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. The real mystery is why it took so long for someone to decide "hey maybe we should bury this guy.". Start browsing the folder's contents at the beginning of the file. The Category is reserved for cases of Unsolved Mysteries that occurred in Arkansas. As time passes on, I am afraid my sons murderer or murderers will not be found.. 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. Do you feel thoroughly thrilled and chilled? This can be a post about an unsolved homicide, a missing person, an unidentified person, a wrongful conviction, or forensics. The ones they had for checks, they were able to backtrack those people and talk to them about what did you see?, said Pevehouse. Fort Smith murder unsolved after 42 years, family still has hope In 1979, Lois Ensey was abducted while working at J's Night Owl Grocery off Highway 271 in Fort Smith. Aaron Smith Found Murdered on Serene Campground, A First Look at the Murder of Aaron Smith. No one else has been. Police learn the key witness in the stabbing death of a beloved aunt was an imposter; a return to the crime scene reveals a . With so many things you can choose from. We must note that this report is not an analysis of the effectiveness of local police departments. Sort All Cases By: Company Area | Male | Female | County | Year | Last Name Results: 13 Record (s) Found. 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. Search teams on horses were deployed to search several areas in Bella Vista. Several of Danas personal items were found scattered in different areas of Bella Vista, but none near her car, Sgt. A homicide can also be cleared if the victim of the crime hinders the prosecution by refusing to testify. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Missy's body was nude and placed near a headstone-shaped rock. She was very sweet, but timid and scared to death of her boyfriend. 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. Despite various theories, the case remains unsolved. 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. She was really sweet, everybody liked her, she was friends with everybody.. 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. Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Fort Smith, AR. She was our joy. On Christmas Day, 1970 a year and 10 days after Blades disappeared her body was found in Stone County, 12 miles away. No arrests have been made in connection with her death. It was only her second night on the job and first night alone. A 19 year old college student disappears in a parking lot. Furthermore, Swearingen was known to be in the area around the time Missy was abducted. Feeling bad, her mother left her a note asking her to join her for a burger later at Bowling World. 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 . At that point in the investigation, there was no reason to believe she was abducted. She was a 1967 graduate of Nixa High and her maiden name was Horton. A week later, her body was found some10 miles south of the cemetery and about six miles east of Oldfield, in Christian County. Swearingen denied murdering Missy Witt and was executed on January 27, 2009, for Melissa Trotter's murder. No one noticed the blood splatter on her keys at the time. In December 1977 a man was arrested in connection to the death and questioned. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. Bowling World didnt have security cameras in the parking lot, and though some convenience stores in the vicinity did have cameras, they were too far away from the crime scene to be useful. She had accidentally left something on, and the battery was dead. Murderpedia . We were very young. Amy Anstutz saw the burglar in the house. But one suspect is alive and living in an Illinois prison. Blades was 5-foot-2 and 115 pounds. by Crawlspace - True Crime & Mysteries, Arkansas : Melissa Witt by Cults, Crimes & Cabernet, CrimeCon UK Live: The Girl I Never Knew by Crimepedia, Episode 29: Unsolved Murder: Melissa Witt by Unsolved America. Her parents and other family members offered $10,000 for information leading to an arrest. He loved tinkering with cars, being outdoors and being a loyal friend. Mark Alan SMITH: 1966 - 1970: 4 - 12: Arkansas, USA : Richard Wayne SNELL: 1983 / 1984: 2: Arkansas, USA . But could he have been responsible for another murder? 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. Ashley County Obituaries, 1965-present from the Ashley County Ledger - also includes cemetery listings. Kristy told Dateline she and Dana were especially close since they were only a year apart. Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. Who Killed Dana Stidham? The burglar shot Anstutz twice in the abdomen. Fort Smith unsolved murder subject of new billboard campaign, Nonprofit launches billboard campaign to bring attention to 27-year-old cold case, Were not giving up: Search still alive 27 years after Melissa Witts disappearance and death, Nonprofit making sure Missy Witt cold case stays front & center, Who Killed Missy Witt team holds press conference on 27th anniversary of kidnapping, Non-profit group asking for information on 27-year-old Fort Smith murder case, More than a story: Nonprofit works to bring awareness to Melissa Witt case, Missy Witt: Cave Springs woman writes book about unsolved murder, Police Say Suspected Killer's Grandparents Withheld Evidence, Arrested man not suspect in girl's kidnap, cops say, Strangled (Who Killed Melissa Witt? More Cost of Living or Compare Fort Smith's Cost of Living. CBI FOHVAMP . That left us with 26 cities to rank. Oct. 18, 1981: An officer in Texas stops Pruett for speeding and locates a .38-caliber revolver and evidence from Larimer County. Arkansas Death Records Indexes, Obituaries and Cemeteries by County. 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. "It's better that it not be brought up because the more something like that is bought up, the worse it gets," he said. All rights reserved. Between 6:30-7 pm, after class and work, Missy went to the same bowling alley that her mother had mentioned in her note. When her shift ended, her car wouldnt start. Download the Uncovered Citizen Detective Guide to learn more about how thoughtful and safe online sleuthing. There were no signs of struggle. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. *This list consists of persons who have been reported missing to the Department of Public Safety under undetermined circumstances. FORT SMITH, Ark. "We loved him dearly.". In 1973, legislation created the White River Monster Refuge. Arkansas is famous for many homeowners. When they find her body, she had been exposed to extreme temperatures, Rush said. The Arkansas, Texas & Oklahoma Bureau of Vital Records were contacted in an attempt to locate a death certificate for Nona Young. Its illegal to hunt "Whitey" within the protected land. If you have any information, you can call the River Valley crime stoppers at (479)-78-CRIME. Once inside, the responders found the brutalized bodies of four teenage girls-Amy Ayers, Jennifer Harbison, Sarah Harbison and Eliza Thomas. Although not officially a suspect in any Washington . The body wasdecomposed. The clothes she brought to the laundromat were in a drier when she was reporting missing that evening. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'roadsnacks_net-medrectangle-3','ezslot_0',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-roadsnacks_net-medrectangle-3-0');For more reading on the Natural State check out: Population: 10,187Rank Last Year: 8Murders: 11 (4th Most)Murders Per 100k: 108.0 (Most)More on Helena-West Helena: Data|Photos, Population: 198,382Rank Last Year: 1Murders: 38 (Most)Murders Per 100k: 19.2 (6th Most)More on Little Rock: Data|Photos, Population: 13,468Rank Last Year: 6Murders: 10 (5th Most)Murders Per 100k: 74.3 (2nd Most)More on Blytheville: Data|Photos, Population: 66,604Rank Last Year: 23Murders: 12 (3rd Most)Murders Per 100k: 18.0 (7th Most)More on North Little Rock: Data|Photos, Population: 37,263Rank Last Year: 14Murders: 10 (5th Most)Murders Per 100k: 26.8 (5th Most)More on Hot Springs: Data|Photos, Population: 24,442Rank Last Year: 3Murders: 8 (7th Most)Murders Per 100k: 32.7 (4th Most)More on West Memphis: Data|Photos, Population: 78,261Rank Last Year: 22Murders: 13 (2nd Most)Murders Per 100k: 16.6 (10th Most)More on Jonesboro: Data|Photos, Population: 6,653Rank Last Year: 7Murders: 4 (10th Most)Murders Per 100k: 60.1 (3rd Most)More on Osceola: Data|Photos, Population: 23,873Rank Last Year: -Murders: 4 (10th Most)Murders Per 100k: 16.8 (9th Most)More on Searcy: Data|Photos, Population: 17,820Rank Last Year: 4Murders: 3 (13th Most)Murders Per 100k: 16.8 (8th Most)More on El Dorado: Data|Photos.