The man told Davis "vigilantes" who suspected him of killing Workman had shot up his mobile home. 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. Kristen said she spent weekends driving to nearby states with her mother and her aunt, Georgia, to see if anyone had seen Dana. The FBI estimates the national clearance rate for murders is 61 percent. The Bizarre History of a Long-Unsolved Murder - Blogger Resources. The lawnmowing job was only about one-third complete and her car was still there, with the keys in it. Lambblamed the Blades family for starting rumors that he was involved in the murder. 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. Despite various theories, the case remains unsolved. It simply states where murders occurred most frequently on an absolute and rate basis. Danas personal belongings, however, were not inside the car. Instead, we looked at the hard numbers from the FBI's last year of reporting. In addition, while incarcerated in Illinois he pleaded guilty in March 1971 to killing Obie Fay Ash, 32, of Cotter, Arkansas. List of unsolved murders (1900-1979) - Wikipedia Rancher Ernest Wilhelm discovered her skeletal remains on his farmtwo miles west of Ponce de Leon. 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. Arkansas: Unsolved Murders In Arkansas - Blogger They called around to family members and Danas friends, but no one had heard from her that day. Cold Case Database - Defrosting Cold Cases However, with a period of no less than 90 days of community service. Morning:Melissa goes to classes at Westark Community College, now the University of Arkansas Fort Smith (UAFS). And even the victim and the victims loved ones dont know who the other party iswe normally draw these dead ends, Pevehouse said. By James Pletcher Jr. Jul 25, 2013 . Police ruled Danas death a homicide, but would not confirm the exact cause of death. He weighed anestimated150 to 160 pounds. 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. FORT SMITH, Ark. If you have any information, you can call the River Valley crime stoppers at (479)-78-CRIME. In the weeks that followed, Danas friends and family spent their time searching on foot and by car, and handing out missing flyers of Dana. 1326, Episode 35 - Arkansas - Who Killed Melissa Witt Part 2. 2023 www.news-leader.com. One of the bullets severed a major artery and Anstutz died an hour later at Cox Medical Center South. 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. Should Smith, now 73, ever be releasedin Illinoishe would face a life sentence in Arkansas. Some, however, have since theorized she was the victim of local serial killer Charles Ray Vine, also known as "The River Valley Killer.". Melissa was hoping to become a dental hygienist. 18 unsolved slayings in this area in five years. Smith has also confessed to killing several women while a U.S. Marine in West Germanyin the 1960s. MISSING PERSON ENTRY CATEGORIES If you have any updates in any of these cases please contact me. 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. You can find the link in the menu bar. The monthly statistics are calculated to address the most frequently requested inquiries. Ive always felt that the phone call was tied to what had happened, Rider said. 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. Project: Cold Case is a not-for-profit organization with an ambitious goal of publicizing all unsolved homicides in the United States while linking information, families, and law enforcement, and ultimately, helping to solve cold cases. Jenkins added. We were together all the time, Kristy said. Diaz is president of the Vallejo chapter of. Katherine Baker Case Report Number: 90-053018 She was considering studying business at university. She was shy and didn't like to smile much; she was self-conscious about a crooked front tooth. 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 . The 1998 murder of John Alan Moody is one of 10 unsolved cold cases listed on the Springfield Police Department website. It was leaking oil badly; there was mud on the windshield; new scratches on both sides;and the antenna on the backwas bent. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 1992 Natasha Atchley White Female San Jacinto County Ranger Company A Re #: 160 1997 Harold William "Bill" Roland White Male If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Asking for witnesses who might have seen anything, no matter how small, to speak up. 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. Known as "The Babysitter", this unidentified serial killer is known to have murdered at least four children, possibly more, between 1976 and 1977. Jenkins told Dateline. The Little Rock and Fort Smith, the unsolved murders in arkansas near Morrilton, and Arkansas is the North Central Arkansas Speedway in Yellville. 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. Melissa Witt Case: Did River Valley Killer Charles Vine Murder Her Amy Anstutz saw the burglar in the house. Cold Case - ABI - AST - Alaska Department of Public Safety The National Crime Information Center's (NCIC's) Missing Person File was implemented in 1975. The murders remain unsolved. In the summer of 1989, she continued to work at the store while figuring out what she wanted to do, Georgia said. Dig deeper into the stories you've heard before, and encounter many others you haven't, in ways that actually help. 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. Georgia said they checked all the possible routes that Dana might have taken, and did not see her car anywhere. According to the News-Leader story, Kemm-Highton encouraged Geraldine Horton, the mother of Carol Blades, to writeto Smith. You Decide. There were 'only' 26 cities in Arkansas where a city reported a murder to the FBI, meaning 36 places had no murder. There is a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the people who killed . 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. No one has been convicted of her murder, and there is currently a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for Missy's abduction and murder. Christopher Reese's 2014 murder in Notus, Idaho remains unsolved. The 2019 Fort Smith crime rate rose by 17% compared to 2018. Updated: 6:31 AM CDT October 4, 2021. A friend of the family found the keys to the Chevy Impala in the field the man ran across. Denver Post . There could easily be a scientific explanation for this one, but do you really want to risk it to find out? 322 South Main Streeet, Suite 615 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-2222 / Visit Website. Both tried to interview witnesses, but they could only speak with certain people. 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. Cold case is finally cracked and the killer is identified. We all watch the news with horror when we hear about a homicide that happens not that far away from us. Missy had gone on home and changed her clothes, according to a neighbor who saw her come and go. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. Search dogs were used in the days following Danas disappearance, Sgt. Serial killer Mark Alan Smith was sentenced to 500 years for raping and killing threeIllinois women. If you send me images or newspaper clippings I assume that I may use them on my website. Shedid. 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 . The Files CANADA UNSOLVED Little Rock with 38. The court determined that the events were not foreseeable and the case was ultimately dismissed. 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. News-Sentinel.com - Fort Wayne 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. She wouldn't let her dad wait on that.. Most Dangerous Places in Arkansas The 10 Murder Capitals Of Arkansas For 2021 1. Each of these victims were submitted by families or law enforcement through our submission page. It was described in news storiesas "torn up." She hadthree children. The 19-year-old had stopped by to get a hamburger from her mother, according to a 2021 report from local station THV11KTHV. There is no required waiting period to report a missing person. She says her mothers abduction and murder affected the entire family. Melissa's mother assumed that her daughter was with friends that evening. Example video title will go here for this video. A kind stranger came along and gave her a jump start. Steve Hamilton was a Springfield police lieutenant at the time. A CLOSER LOOK: violent crimes increase in Fayetteville - KNWA FOX24 Kelle Ann Workman, 24, was last seen June 30, 1989, while mowing grass at Dogwood Cemetery, outside Pleasant Ridge Southern Baptist Churchat Highways 14 and Z. She reported her daughter missing. It was higher than in 97.1% U.S. cities. There were no records found of her death. Her mother declined to give it to her. More Cost of Living or Compare Fort Smith's Cost of Living. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. About. FORT SMITH, Ark. Howard County Sheriff's Department. 10 Unsolved Mysteries In Arkansas - OnlyInYourState The victim is identified as 35-year-old . From mafia to monsters, check out these 10 unsolved mysteries in Arkansas. Drugs is a possibility. Fort Smith shares its status with Greenwood as the county seat of Sebastian County. 10 Worst Unsolved Mass Murders In US History - Listverse Faces of Unsolved Homicide - Project: Cold Case. Mary Ann calls Melissa's best friend, Tara to see if she has heard from Melissa. A patron had discovered her car keys and turned them in the night Witt disappeared. 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. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! In 1979, Lois Ensey was abducted while working at J's Night Owl Grocery off Highway 271 in Fort Smith. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Melissa Witt was abducted from the parking lot of Bowling World in the evening. Texarkana Moonlight Murders - Wikipedia ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) In 2020, Fayetteville has had seven homicides/murders; there were five in 2019, according to the Fayetteville police department (FPD). Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950 (requires payment) at Ancestry/has about 594,000 listings. TV Schedule for MNT (KFSM-TV2) Fort Smith, AR | TV Passport 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. Hurrying to the scene, deputies found a bloody 1961 Ford with bullet holes in it. Danas father passed away 10 years after his daughter was killed. I've stood in the same parking lot where Melissa went missing. All rights reserved. A pseudo-documentary, The Legend of Boggy Creek, highlights the towns monster lore. Her daughters are now 44 and 46. William Gardiner, a preacher of the Primitive Methodist Chapel, was suspected due . Colorado Cold Case Files - Home Page 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. 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. 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. Book 2), Oklahoma Author Looking For Answers To Arkansas Cold Case. In July of 1979, Lois Ensey was abducted while working at J's Night Owl Grocery off Highway 271 in Fort Smith. Her logic is that since Smith admitted other slayings he would have admitted this one, as well, if he did it. Sure, that's fiction. City of Fort Collins Police Services, 2221 Timberline Road, Fort Collins, CO 80525 Phone: 970.221.6540 (non-emergency) . Bucholtz and Jared started a Facebook group called Unsolved Murder of Rebekah Gould in the hopes of getting some tips from the public about her death. Crime in Arkansas. Fort Smith murder unsolved after 42 years, family still has hope However, Missy's clothes and personal belongings were missing from the scene and were never found. Mark Alan SMITH: 1966 - 1970: 4 - 12: Arkansas, USA : Richard Wayne SNELL: 1983 / 1984: 2: Arkansas, USA . I would like to see if they could maybe come for now. Friday, March 17th TV listings for MNT (KFSM-TV2) Fort Smith, AR. They questioned him. Although the region has its fair share of beauty and wonder, thats not all youll find there. Crime in Arkansas - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Over a month after she went missing, her body was found in the Ozark National Forest. Oct. 18, 1981: An officer in Texas stops Pruett for speeding and locates a .38-caliber revolver and evidence from Larimer County. Do you live in one of the murder capitals of Arkansas? She always called. He loved tinkering with cars, being outdoors and being a loyal friend. There also was a younger male voice, also with a really strong Southern accent. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Georgia has now outlived her husband and both of children. We must note that this report is not an analysis of the effectiveness of local police departments. 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 Springtime Jonquil Festival In Arkansas Thats Unlike Any Other, Spend A Magical Evening Savoring This Wine And Fondue Experience In Arkansas, Arkansas Oldest Drive-In Theater Is Hiding In A Small Town And Youll Want To Visit, Dine At The Historic Spot In Arkansas Where The Legendary Gangster Al Capone Drank Whiskey, The Legend Of Arkansass Very Own Monster Will Chill You To The Bone, 9 True Arkansas Stories That Are Way Creepier Than The Clown Takeover, The Story Behind This Mysterious Creature In Arkansas Is Both Bizarre And Fascinating, The One Place You Have To Go In Arkansas If Youre Looking For Real Adventure, Naomi Rahim / Moment Collection via Getty Images, Calico Rock Historic District in Calico Rock, The Empress of Little Rock in Little Rock. The suspect had passed a polygraph test and told Davis that when he had talked about killing Workman he was "joking.". She was really sweet, everybody liked her, she was friends with everybody.. He was described as 5 feet 9 or 10 inches tall, a white man with a dark complexion andblack hair combed back. During the school year, Dana had been working after school and on weekends at Harps Food Store in Bella Vista, Arkansas. 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. Shes waited 42 years for answers. 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.". The Oakland County Child Killer. Catching a killer: Shootings stir up memories of '81 murders We have never come up with anything positive.". 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. KHBS CNN Three people are dead and a police officer is recovering from being. PDF National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - Oklahoma City, OK When she entered the salon, she first saw the corpse of 62-year-old Dorothy Harris. Her body was found on September 16, 1989 in Benton County, Arkansas. Download the Uncovered Citizen Detective Guide to learn more about how thoughtful and safe online sleuthing. Dana had been very well-liked, her cousin Kristy said she didnt have any problems with anyone. 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. Arkansas killer gets life term Suspect identified in cold case kidnapping, rape, murder of Arkansas No one noticed the blood splatter on her keys at the time. Here's what is known about them SABRINA LYNN UNDERWOOD:. There is no waiting period before a person can be entered into the NCIC Missing Person File. Details About Her Unsolved Murder And Why Police Haven't Caught The Killer. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. The massacre inspired the movie "The Town that Dreaded Sundown." 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. Fort Smith Police Department - Public Awareness - Most Wanted Feeling bad, her mother left her a note asking her to join her for a burger later at Bowling World. She was 75 years old. That left us with 26 cities to rank. Outreach. Unsolved Ozarks murders include woman last seen mowing cemetery Never Forgotten | Arkansas Missing Persons Campaign The body wasdecomposed. Interactive map produced by Yutao Chen. 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,. An old wives tale is one thing, but once physical evidence gets involved these stories become especially chilling. "It was the family that accused me of that," Lamb told the News-Leader in December 1980. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. Especially at the county levels.". 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. At that point in the investigation, there was no reason to believe she was abducted. It's been nearly 30 years since Pam Felkins was kidnapped from her job at an Arkansas video store, raped and then murdered -- but . 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. Kentucky detective investigating possible connection between 2011 - MSN She was a 1967 graduate of Nixa High and her maiden name was Horton. RELATED: Details About The Murder Of Arkansas Teen Dana Stidham And Why Police Have Yet To Find Her Killer Alabama. 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. We were robbed of her wisdom and just her life in general.. Records are retained indefinitely, unless removed by the entering agency. 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. According to science fiction writer Richard Shaver, the cave is one of the entrances to a subterranean civilization. But we're certain he got the idea from some of the real life eye witness reports. The coat was corduroy and possibly fleece-lined. 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 else has been. You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website. Arkansas is famous for many homeowners. Arkansas murderers list | Murderpedia You can also report any information you may have concerning a crime and could receive a . There are currently no cases that match the selected filters. He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move. 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.