unsolved murders fort smith arkansas

The 2019 Fort Smith crime rate rose by 17% compared to 2018. 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. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. He weighed anestimated150 to 160 pounds. Police ruled Danas death a homicide, but would not confirm the exact cause of death. 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. 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. A pseudo-documentary, The Legend of Boggy Creek, highlights the towns monster lore. Feeling bad, her mother left her a note asking her to join her for a burger later at Bowling World. Our Cases. CBI FOHVAMP . The state has a surprising number of bone chilling tales, from cold cases to urban legends. At that point in the investigation, there was no reason to believe she was abducted. The murders remain unsolved. It just destroyed us.. Nobody should ever have to lose a child.. We have had several people tell us she was not getting along at home. The hunt for answers continues to this day, as the case remains open,THV11 KTHV reported. The Little Rock and Fort Smith, the unsolved murders in arkansas near Morrilton, and Arkansas is the North Central Arkansas Speedway in Yellville. On December 6, 1991, Austin, Texas was shell-shocked by a vicious crime. For some strange reason no one volunteered to climb down to see what pulled the rope. Amy Anstutz saw the burglar in the house. But Melissa never came home, and Mary Anne grew worried. Get more stories delivered right to your email. On July 25, 1989, Dana went over to her parents house to do some laundry, Georgia said. 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. Smith has also confessed to killing several women while a U.S. Marine in West Germanyin the 1960s. Jenkins. In 1979, the Fort Smith Police Department and the Sebastian County Sheriffs Office joined together to work on the case. Any ties went to the larger city. Shedid. A friend of the family found the keys to the Chevy Impala in the field the man ran across. Georgia said that this was strange behavior from Dana. 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. The majority of law enforcement officials consider photographs to be the most important tool in missing person cases. They questioned him. But she never made it inside. There is no waiting period before a person can be entered into the NCIC Missing Person File. Records in the Missing Person File are retained indefinitely or until the individual is located or the record is canceled by the entering agency. She was considering studying business at university. Missy's body was nude and placed near a headstone-shaped rock. 322 S. Main Street, Ste. Immediately making identification information available to the public has proven effective in helping to locate missing children as well as missing adults. Kristen said she spent weekends driving to nearby states with her mother and her aunt, Georgia, to see if anyone had seen Dana. BOONE COUNTY, Ky. - Cold case detectives at the Boone County Sheriff's Office in Kentucky are investigating any possible connection between an unsolved double murder in 2011 and the 2017 . December 1, 1994, was a typical day for Missy. He was convicted of the murder of Melissa Trotter who was killed in a very similar manner as Missy. FORT SMITH, Ark The Fort Smith Police Department is investigating a homicide in the 1300 block of Jackson St. At El Patron Mexican . He said: There are many possibilities in the death of Mr. Moody. Arkansas Crime Information Center. Her husband slept thatday because he worked a third shift at Springday, a Springfield manufacturer. Do you live in one of the murder capitals of Arkansas? The number of homicides stood at 4 - a decrease of 5 compared to 2018. Your anonymous call could lead to a $1,000 reward. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite. The BridgeWay mental-health hospital, admitting it had wronged a 14-year-old patient who . 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. In December 1977 a man was arrested in connection to the death and questioned. Mary Ann calls Melissa's best friend, Tara to see if she has heard from Melissa. Sort All Cases By: Company Area | Male | Female | County | Year | Last Name Results: 13 Record (s) Found. It could not be determined how she was killed. MISSING PERSON ENTRY CATEGORIES The only clues left at the scene were a gold hoop earring, a crushed hair clip, her car keys, and pools of blood. Most Dangerous Places in Arkansas The 10 Murder Capitals Of Arkansas For 2021 1. We understand if you have trouble getting to sleep tonight, these unsolved mysteries certainly shook us to the core. On July 25, 1989, 18-year-old Dana Stidham left her parents' home to pick up her father's . His name was never released. By James Pletcher Jr. Jul 25, 2013 . Its time she gets answers, Patti Rush, president of REVAMP in Fort Smith, said while referring to the daughter of the missing woman. In a letter published in the News-Leader they saidthe case should never be forgotten. Heultimately raped and murdered two elderly women in the River Valley, Arkansas area: Juanita Wofford in 1993, and Ruth Henderson in 1995. And even the victim and the victims loved ones dont know who the other party iswe normally draw these dead ends, Pevehouse said. Donate. Arkansas is famous for many homeowners. Resources. The man told Davis "vigilantes" who suspected him of killing Workman had shot up his mobile home. 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. When her shift ended, her car wouldnt start. Despite various theories, the case remains unsolved. Gun sales shot up for a time, and sales of alarm systems and guard dogs also rose as the murders went unsolved . Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! So, we grew up without her basically our whole lives, said Enseys youngest daughter Nikki Ensey. 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. Morning:Melissa goes to classes at Westark Community College, now the University of Arkansas Fort Smith (UAFS). They denied ever suggesting Lamb was involvedbut stood firm in their belief Lamb was incompetent as a criminal investigator. The murders of Greg Collins, Daniel Bearden, James Milan, Jordan Kettleson, and Mike Samples remain unsolved. A kind stranger came along and gave her a jump start. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Tragically, we'll never know who murdered these young men. You just cant accept that your child is gone. Image. This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. 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. A patron had discovered her car keys and turned them in the night Witt disappeared. It's been over 20 years and people are still looking for answers in the murder of Arkansas teenager, Melissa Witt. If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already. Dana's brother died in 2015. Georgia dreads that outcome. Some theorize she may have been the victim of a local serial killer, "The River Valley Killer.". 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. 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. 322 South Main Streeet, Suite 615 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-2222 / Visit Website. Her body was placed near a headstone-like rock. Furthermore, Swearingen was known to be in the area around the time Missy was abducted. 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,. If you have information on their whereabouts, please contact the Detective Division at (479) 709-5116 . He loved tinkering with cars, being outdoors and being a loyal friend. She was very sweet, but timid and scared to death of her boyfriend. But he was never charged in connection withAnstutz's murder. And we have, every time we getany kind of lead whatsoever, run down that lead. Melissa Witt was abducted from a bowling alley parking lot in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1994. The officer told Mary Ann that since Melissa is over 18, she can leave on her own accord. "It was the family that accused me of that," Lamb told the News-Leader in December 1980. ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) In 2020, Fayetteville has had seven homicides/murders; there were five in 2019, according to the Fayetteville police department (FPD). Both girls were 19 at the time of their death, and both were murdered and found in large forests in Arkansas. Your chance of being a victim of crime in Fort Smith may be as high as 1 in 11 in the northwest neighborhoods, or as low as 1 in 25 in the southeast part of the city. At 9 a.m. the next morning, June 25, 1983, the victim's body was discovered near 2000 E. 22nd Street, hidden in the brush of a semi-secluded area not far from her home. Little Rock: 56 | North Little Rock: 23. No one noticed the blood splatter on her keys at the time. 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. 1992 Natasha Atchley White Female San Jacinto County Ranger Company A Re #: 160 1997 Harold William "Bill" Roland White Male The monthly statistics are calculated to address the most frequently requested inquiries. They were attributed to an alleged unidentified serial killer known as the Phantom of Texarkana or simply the Phantom Killer or Phantom Slayer. It had been abandoned on the shoulder of northbound Highway 160. Western Arkansas was also on the circuit of back roads Clyde Barrow used to evade lawmen from other states. 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. Both cases remain unsolved. William Miller is a member of that group. This, however, only applies to their own. Making it tougher for investigators to gather evidence. She was running low on money, she was going to come out and have her mother buy her a hamburger. "It's better that it not be brought up because the more something like that is bought up, the worse it gets," he said. Oct. 18, 1981: An officer in Texas stops Pruett for speeding and locates a .38-caliber revolver and evidence from Larimer County. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Moody's father Jim wrote a letter about his son that he gave to the media. 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. 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. Uncovered is where the most passionate true crime enthusiasts can learn from and teach others. A homicide is considered cleared if at least one person has been arrested, formally charged and handed over to a court of law for trial. 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. A strange phone call made to police a day or two prior to the discovery of the body helps support this theory, he said. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. FORT SMITH, Ark. Her body was fully clothed. Who Killed Dana Stidham? The real mystery is why it took so long for someone to decide "hey maybe we should bury this guy.". I can't stop thinking about this case because it's from my home town. It was only after the car was impounded, some three days later, that it was dusted.". While there are surveys and public polls on what cities in a state are the most dangerous, we didn't want to rely on speculation and opinion. She hadthree children. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Fort Smith is 1 in 90 and property crime is 1 in 18. 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. Hurrying to the scene, deputies found a bloody 1961 Ford with bullet holes in it. She was just the kind of daughter people wish they had. 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. We all know she was really responsible, and she knew her dad was waiting on the medicine. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Chasing Chains, LLC. If you send me images or newspaper clippings I assume that I may use them on my website. The massacre inspired the movie "The Town that Dreaded Sundown." OPEN/ UNSOLVED CASES . Download the Uncovered Citizen Detective Guide to learn more about how thoughtful and safe online sleuthing. Melissa drove a white 1995 Mitsubishi Mirage. 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. 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. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Cornerstone Mountain Retreat, near Jasper, visitors can walk for miles in pristine forests. Blades was last seen at a Nixa store buying cookieson a cold Monday, Dec. 15, 1969. That summer, Dana spent some time living with her cousin, Kristy Smith, before moving into a different apartment with her brother, Larry, and a roommate in Centerton, Arkansas. No one has ever been charged. Melissa asked her mom to borrow some money and told her she would pay her back with her next paycheck. IE 11 is not supported. Jenkins told Dateline. Brad Cole, current Christian County sheriff, said the Blades murder is an open case. That caused him to jerk the coat down. The day she disappeared Blades was driving the couple's 1965 Chevy Impala. The legend is that a railroad workers head was severed by an oncoming train. Above the railroad tracks near Gurdon, a mysterious floating light has been spotted. You can find the link in the menu bar. 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. Specifically, we analyzed the FBI's Uniform Crime Report which summarizes the number of murders that may happen in each city per year. 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 . Home > Crime Info & Support > Crime Information Center > Community Information > Missing Persons Information. Melissa is still not home. 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. Melissa Witt was abducted from the parking lot of Bowling World in the evening. Larry Swearingen was looked at as a person of interest in this case. SHARES. When a crime happens, and you dont know who the other party is. She was always smiling and happy, Georgia told Dateline. Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. And, they asked, who leaves their clothes in a drier prior to running off? And give us some information about what they actually told the police department back there in 1979, daughter Nikki Ensey told 5NEWS. Dig deeper into the stories you've heard before, and encounter many others you haven't, in ways that actually help. Taxes and utilities also rank low on the national scale allowing those searching for dens in early October and early November. Best Places To Raise A Family In Arkansas, Download The Entire Arkansas Ranking Data. 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. Soon after the shooting, the suspect went to prison for two years for other burglary convictions. In addition, a homicide can be cleared if there is enough evidence to arrest and charge a suspect, but that suspect is dead. The 25-year-old store clerk child was gunned down in an overnight robbery. She lived with her parents, who were farmers, about 1.5 miles from the cemetery. Any ties went to the larger city. 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 . In addition, while incarcerated in Illinois he pleaded guilty in March 1971 to killing Obie Fay Ash, 32, of Cotter, Arkansas. Although not officially a suspect in any Washington . The FBI considers eyewitness identification notoriously unreliable, the story stated. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. During the school year, Dana had been working after school and on weekends at Harps Food Store in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Love Arkansas? 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. Juan Ignacio Blanco MALE murderers: . He was described as 5 feet 9 or 10 inches tall, a white man with a dark complexion andblack hair combed back. Two people witness Melissa's abduction. He may have been lost at times, but who of us has not been lost? 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.. She was our joy. 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. There are fifty states in the unsolved murders in arkansas near future, information on Arkansas construction project? Kemm-Highton saidin August she does not believe Smith killed Blades. Missy kept very busy with classes and her part-time job at a local dental clinic where she worked as a dental assistant. Wal-Mart Stores, in conjunction with AR Missing Exploited Children's Center announced the introduction of Missing Person's Poster Display at the local store in Huntsville in honor of Melissa. This is a list of notable male murderers who committed their murders in Arkansas, USA. You Decide. If you have information on any of the persons . Trending pages Morgan Nick Don Henry and Kevin Ives Carson Prince Ann Sigmin and Garey Goff Gainesville Killers Tony Alamo Amanda Tusing Larry Chism All items (16) # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Other A Amanda Tusing Ann Sigmin and Garey Goff The rest of Danas family became alarmed when they still had not heard from her that night. 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. Timmons already had a kidnapping conviction on his record, having abducted and held an 11-year-old boy in 1976, KYTV reported.

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