Unsolved murder of Melissa Witt in 1994. Join a singles club and meet with great singles. At that point in the investigation, there was no reason to believe she was abducted. Who killed Missy Witt? CBI FOHVAMP . I've stood in the same parking lot where Melissa went missing. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Some theorize she may have been the victim of a local serial killer, "The River Valley Killer.". Fort Smith Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout Episode 34 - Arkansas - Who Killed Melissa Witt? Bonnie and Clyde - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Chester Simons and Deborah Popp were found fatally shot in bed and police determined that Popp was shot by Simons, who then died by suicide, according to Fort Myers Police Department. 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. Danas parents continued to drive around, but did not find their daughter. You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website. The Files CANADA UNSOLVED In the summer of 1989, she continued to work at the store while figuring out what she wanted to do, Georgia said. 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 . Crime rate in Fort Smith, AR - City-Data 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. It was only her second. Over a month after she went missing, her body was found in the Ozark National Forest. The lawnmowing job was only about one-third complete and her car was still there, with the keys in it. Fort Smith shares its status with Greenwood as the county seat of Sebastian County. Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of murder. 3 deaths potentially - MSN The court determined that the events were not foreseeable and the case was ultimately dismissed. 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. Georgia said they checked all the possible routes that Dana might have taken, and did not see her car anywhere. She hadthree children. That left us with 26 cities to rank.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'roadsnacks_net-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_13',706,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-roadsnacks_net-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');Most Dangerous Cities In AmericaFinally, we averaged the two scores into an index:The raw number of murders in each cityThe murders per personWe felt as if a small place with 2,500 people and two murders makes it a lot more dangerous than a city of 25,000 people with three murders. The day she disappeared Blades was driving the couple's 1965 Chevy Impala. 8 Strange, Unsolved Crimes That Are Sure to Haunt You - The Lineup Kristen said she spent weekends driving to nearby states with her mother and her aunt, Georgia, to see if anyone had seen Dana. ", 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. Christopher Reese's 2014 murder in Notus, Idaho remains unsolved. Danas father passed away 10 years after his daughter was killed. 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. Law enforcement agencies should be contacted without delay. One of the bullets severed a major artery and Anstutz died an hour later at Cox Medical Center South. 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. The most serious crime committed in the state by the Barrow Gang was the murder of Marshal Henry D. Humphrey of Alma (Crawford County), committed while the gang was hiding out in a tourist camp in Fort Smith (Sebastian County) in June 1933. Each of these victims were submitted by families or law enforcement through our submission page. 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. 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. Cold Case - ABI - AST - Alaska Department of Public Safety Contact. "They was just looking for anything to say, they was all upset.". Shedid. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is requesting your assistance in closing these open cases. RoadSnacks is reader-supported. 10 Unsolved Mysteries In Arkansas - OnlyInYourState Swamp gas, pressurized quartz crystal, and headlight reflections have been possible explanations. Details About The Murder Of Arkansas Teen Dana Stidham - Yahoo No one has ever been charged. 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. The 25-year-old store clerk child was gunned down in an overnight robbery. Gun sales shot up for a time, and sales of alarm systems and guard dogs also rose as the murders went unsolved . 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. Jenkins told Dateline. Interactive map produced by Yutao Chen. A pseudo-documentary, The Legend of Boggy Creek, highlights the towns monster lore. It simply states where murders occurred most frequently on an absolute and rate basis. According to private investigators, it was her second night on the job and her first time working solo. The 19-year-old had stopped by to get a hamburger from her mother, according to a 2021 report from local station THV11KTHV. 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 ones they had for checks, they were able to backtrack those people and talk to them about what did you see?, said Pevehouse. The Oakland County Child Killer. Melissa's mother assumed that her daughter was with friends that evening. Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950 (requires payment) at Ancestry/has about 594,000 listings. You can also report any information you may have concerning a crime and could receive a . The Victims: Forty Unsolved Murders Since 1984 Nov 21, 1991 This is a list of 40 unsolved killings in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties since 1984, the year officials say the Green River. The Missing Person Active/Expired Analysis and the Unidentified Person Active/Expired Analysis reports are available upon request. Finally, we averaged the two scores into an index: We felt as if a small place with 2,500 people and two murders makes it a lot more dangerous than a city of 25,000 people with three murders. Melissa Witt Case: Did River Valley Killer Charles Vine Murder Her Crime in Arkansas. Serial killer Mark Alan Smith was sentenced to 500 years for raping and killing threeIllinois women. 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. 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. 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? If you have any information, you can call the River Valley crime stoppers at (479)-78-CRIME. Murder! 18 unsolved slayings in this area in five years The Category is reserved for cases of Unsolved Mysteries that occurred in Arkansas. There is no required waiting period to report a missing person. 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. FORT SMITH, Ark. 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? Despite various theories, the case remains unsolved. Arkansas Crime Information Center. They called around to family members and Danas friends, but no one had heard from her that day. If I did, I would certainly honor your most understandable request.. Specifically, we analyzed the FBI's Uniform Crime Report which summarizes the number of murders that may happen in each city per year. The 1998 murder of John Alan Moody is one of 10 unsolved cold cases listed on the Springfield Police Department website. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! According to science fiction writer Richard Shaver, the cave is one of the entrances to a subterranean civilization. 2020 Homicides in Little Rock and North Little Rock Blades was last seen at a Nixa store buying cookieson a cold Monday, Dec. 15, 1969. Howard County Sheriff's Department. Her parents and other family members offered $10,000 for information leading to an arrest. It's been over 20 years and people are still looking for answers in the murder of Arkansas teenager, Melissa Witt. Records in the Missing Person File are retained indefinitely or until the individual is located or the record is canceled by the entering agency. 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. KHBS CNN Three people are dead and a police officer is recovering from being. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Known as "The Babysitter", this unidentified serial killer is known to have murdered at least four children, possibly more, between 1976 and 1977. All rights reserved. Did the River Valley Killer Have Other Victims? 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. Her death differed from the attacks on the other three women, though: She was not beaten in the same way. The suspect apparently was spotted soon after the murder. Timmons already had a kidnapping conviction on his record, having abducted and held an 11-year-old boy in 1976, KYTV reported. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Two people witness Melissa's abduction. She wasidentified by dental records. They died never knowing what happened to Dana. Melissa Witt was killed in Arkansas in 1994. We aim to deliver infotainment about where you live that your real estate agent won't tell you. She reported her daughter missing. William Scott Smith Unemployed cook, Salem, Ore. . Jenkins, skeletal remains were in the grave, and Dana Stidhams clothes were found nearby. 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. It's been nearly 30 years since Pam Felkins was kidnapped from her job at an Arkansas video store, raped and then murdered -- but . Any ties went to the larger city. The burglar tried to flee out the back but Anstutz confronted him and the two scuffled. Love Arkansas? Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Our Cases. An unclesaw her mowing at 5:40 p.m.; her absence was noticed at about 6:15 p.m. Ive always felt that the phone call was tied to what had happened, Rider said. "It took them eight days to find her body. 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. Arkansas isnt always peaceful forests and serene waterfalls. 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. With over 600,000 acres of lakes and 9,700 miles of hiking trails. Juan Ignacio Blanco MALE murderers: . View Cases - Unsolved Homicide - Texas Department Of Public Safety Melissa and Tara have biology class together on Friday, and then had plans to hang out that evening. It was leaking oil badly; there was mud on the windshield; new scratches on both sides;and the antenna on the backwas bent. Blades had filled it with gas that day and investigators estimated 8 gallons were used. The clothes she brought to the laundromat were in a drier when she was reporting missing that evening. The FBI estimates the national clearance rate for murders is 61 percent. Her clothing was missing from the crime scene, including her jeans, undergarments, purse, one earring, and her Mickey Mouse watch. She had accidentally left something on, and the battery was dead. 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. Cold Case Database - Defrosting Cold Cases Turner retired from law enforcement in 2020 after nearly 24 years with the Ozark Police Department. She was a 1967 graduate of Nixa High and her maiden name was Horton. 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. Unsolved murder of Melissa Witt in 1994. Arkansas area. Texarkana Moonlight Murders - Wikipedia Fort Smith jobs have decreased by 1.6%. While the city with highest number of murders period? Manage Settings Arkansas, USA : home: last updates . 'Cold Justice' Murder Cases Solved: Cynthia Smith And More | Crime News 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. The unemployment rate in Fort Smith is 4.6% (U.S. avg. 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 . 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. They pointed out that the couple had recently received word they were approved to adopt a child and earlier that day Carol Blades had bought Christmas presents and set up the tree at home. Denver Post . It is our seventh time ranking the most places with the most murders per capita in Arkansas and is updated for 2021. Is This Man a Serial Killer? 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. Judge orders North Little Rock mental health facility to pay $2.5M in teen rape case. Uncovered is where the most passionate true crime enthusiasts can learn from and teach others. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - Oklahoma City, OK TV Schedule for MNT (KFSM-TV2) Fort Smith, AR | TV Passport Lambblamed the Blades family for starting rumors that he was involved in the murder. 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. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. She was always smiling and happy, Georgia told Dateline. She was our joy. Witt disappeared after arriving at Bowling World in Fort Smith on December 1, 1994. Missing Persons Information - Arkansas Department of Public Safety A family is still looking for answers after a Sebastian County womans murder case remains unsolved 42-years later. 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. You may also email information to the Detectives, by clicking on the link. 100 Wayland Smith Drive , Uniontown, PA 15401 +1(724)437-7300 Currently Open. 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. 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. From mafia to monsters, check out these 10 unsolved mysteries in Arkansas. Soon after the shooting, the suspect went to prison for two years for other burglary convictions. Moody had not been reported missing, family members told police, because it wasn't unusual for him to not be in contact with his family for stretches of time. If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already. 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. 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. He was elected sheriff in 1968; lost in 1972 (some say because of the unsolved Blades murder); and re-elected in 1976 and 1980. There was not one sign of foul play, he said. But could he have been responsible for another murder? According to Sgt. is 6.0%). But Melissa never came home, and Mary Anne grew worried. 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. This was on Dec. 3, 1969 12 days before Blades was abducted and killed. 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. 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. Crime in Arkansas - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette The cemetery is 13 miles northwest of Ava in Douglas County. We must note that this report is not an analysis of the effectiveness of local police departments. Lois Ensey left behind a husband and two daughters ages two and four. 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. Dig deeper into the stories you've heard before, and encounter many others you haven't, in ways that actually help. That caused him to jerk the coat down. When you click through real estate links on our site, we earn an affiliate commission. 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. During the school year, Dana had been working after school and on weekends at Harps Food Store in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Double murder of Hot Springs mom, 5-year-old son remains unsolved Little Rock police urging people to be cautious of phone scam Police make arrest in fatal hit-and-run of Benton 13-year-old The legend is that a railroad workers head was severed by an oncoming train. There also was a younger male voice, also with a really strong Southern accent. Missy had gone on home and changed her clothes, according to a neighbor who saw her come and go. This, however, only applies to their own. COST OF LIVING Compared to the rest of the country, Fort Smith's cost of living is 25.0% lower than the U.S. average. Moody's father Jim wrote a letter about his son that he gave to the media. Spiro man shot by law officers in eastern Oklahoma Fort Smith gunsmith arrested in Austin, Texas on federal charge FBI continues manhunt for Fort Smith fugitive Police release name of man shot and killed Friday in north Fort Smith Fort Smith man with ties to Pakistan . Do you feel thoroughly thrilled and chilled? 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. Her body was found a year later in the Ozark Mountains by trappers. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Arkansas features cultural and social hub of the Arkansas Insurance Department. A homicide can also be cleared if the victim of the crime hinders the prosecution by refusing to testify. Sergeant Jenkins said there are several people of interest in the case, and that it is still being worked as an active investigation.

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