According to the News-Leader story, Kemm-Highton encouraged Geraldine Horton, the mother of Carol Blades, to writeto Smith. Known as "The Babysitter", this unidentified serial killer is known to have murdered at least four children, possibly more, between 1976 and 1977. 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. Mark Alan SMITH: 1966 - 1970: 4 - 12: Arkansas, USA : Richard Wayne SNELL: 1983 / 1984: 2: Arkansas, USA . No suspect was ever identified. We use data, analytics, and a sense of humor to determine the dirt on places across the country. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Melissa and Tara have biology class together on Friday, and then had plans to hang out that evening. So we wanted to get the facts straight and dug into the FBI crime data in order to identify the places with the most murders and the highest murder rates per capita in Arkansas. I can't stop thinking about this case because it's from my home town. PDF National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - Oklahoma City, OK Murdered: Melissa Witt | Fort Smith, AR | Uncovered William Gardiner, a preacher of the Primitive Methodist Chapel, was suspected due . Fort Smith, Arkansas: 3 dead and police officer stabbed in the neck - CNN Do you feel thoroughly thrilled and chilled? It was only her second night on the job and first night alone. 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. 2020 Homicides in Little Rock and North Little Rock "It was the family that accused me of that," Lamb told the News-Leader in December 1980. Unsolved Cases . Between 6:30-7 pm, after class and work, Missy went to the same bowling alley that her mother had mentioned in her note. Melissa Witt was abducted from a bowling alley parking lot in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1994. Kemm-Highton saidin August she does not believe Smith killed Blades. She parked her car, and before she would even make it inside the bowling alley, investigators believe Missy was abducted from the parking lot. Unsolved Murders - Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. More Economy. Interactive map produced by Yutao Chen. Shes waited 42 years for answers. Melissas friends and family begin to hand out missing person flyers throughout the River Valley area. Generally, cases are solved when the offender has been arrested and turned over to the court for prosecution. They died never knowing what happened to Dana. 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. On July 25, 1989, Dana went over to her parents house to do some laundry, Georgia said. Dana's brother died in 2015. That would be Helena-West Helena with 108.0 murders per 100,000 people. A week later, her body was found some10 miles south of the cemetery and about six miles east of Oldfield, in Christian County. 1992 Natasha Atchley White Female San Jacinto County Ranger Company A Re #: 160 1997 Harold William "Bill" Roland White Male 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. Georgia was at work at the time, but her husband Lawrence was at home. Outreach. Here's what is known about them SABRINA LYNN UNDERWOOD:. 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. If you have any updates in any of these cases please contact me. Georgia said that this was strange behavior from Dana. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks. PDF OPEN UNSOLVED CASES - Larimer County, Colorado 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. We all watch the news with horror when we hear about a homicide that happens not that far away from us. She was a 1967 graduate of Nixa High and her maiden name was Horton. You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website. She hadthree children. The Arkansas, Texas & Oklahoma Bureau of Vital Records were contacted in an attempt to locate a death certificate for Nona Young. On July 25, 1989, 18-year-old Dana Stidham left her parents' home to pick up her father's . Fort Smith Police Department - Public Awareness - Most Wanted Crime News in Fort Smith, AR | Southwest Times Record 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 It stated: The problems with the case, according to the story, included: Dave Smith, then a sergeant, said: "We have to find someone with firsthand knowledge that he was out there that night.". The 2019 crime rate in Fort Smith, AR is 559 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 2.1 times higher than the U.S. average. Judge orders North Little Rock mental health facility to pay $2.5M in teen rape case. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The victim is identified as 35-year-old . 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. Lamb also told the paper it was best that the case be forgotten. Shedid. We have had several people tell us she was not getting along at home. 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. She lived with her parents, who were farmers, about 1.5 miles from the cemetery. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite. In addition, a homicide can be cleared if there is enough evidence to arrest and charge a suspect, but that suspect is dead. 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? 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. Join a singles club and meet with great singles. Amy Anstutz saw the burglar in the house. Texarkana Moonlight Murders - Wikipedia Jenkins, skeletal remains were in the grave, and Dana Stidhams clothes were found nearby. He loved tinkering with cars, being outdoors and being a loyal friend. The police looked at the good samaritan very closely before dismissing him as a suspect. I wanted a better life for him than I had. Her death differed from the attacks on the other three women, though: She was not beaten in the same way. She was very sweet, but timid and scared to death of her boyfriend. Case of Missing Person: Nona Jean Young (Coleman) W/F, 02-26-51 . There is a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the people who killed . WEATHER & CLIMATE The following persons have active warrants for their arrest. They denied ever suggesting Lamb was involvedbut stood firm in their belief Lamb was incompetent as a criminal investigator. 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. Both cases remain unsolved. ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) In 2020, Fayetteville has had seven homicides/murders; there were five in 2019, according to the Fayetteville police department (FPD). 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. Uncovered is where the most passionate true crime enthusiasts can learn from and teach others. 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.". Melissa's mother, Mary Anne passes away. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Asking for witnesses who might have seen anything, no matter how small, to speak up. Submit Your Loved One. Catching a killer: Shootings stir up memories of '81 murders 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. Juan Ignacio Blanco MALE murderers: . Did the River Valley Killer Have Other Victims? Missy's body was nude and placed near a headstone-shaped rock. SHARES. Although not officially a suspect in any Washington . After stopping at the store, Blades went to a Nixa laundromat. 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. Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950 (requires payment) at Ancestry/has about 594,000 listings. There also was a younger male voice, also with a really strong Southern accent. 18 unsolved slayings in this area in five years. Missy had gone on home and changed her clothes, according to a neighbor who saw her come and go. In July of 1979, Lois Ensey was abducted while working at J's Night Owl Grocery off Highway 271 in Fort Smith. Many conspiracies were prompted by the tragedy, including a (mildly far-fetched) drug smuggling cover-up connected to a former U.S. President. We were together all the time, Kristy said. An unclesaw her mowing at 5:40 p.m.; her absence was noticed at about 6:15 p.m. 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. 8 Strange, Unsolved Crimes That Are Sure to Haunt You - The Lineup Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Fort Smith Police Department. The officer told Mary Ann that since Melissa is over 18, she can leave on her own accord. Details About The Murder Of Arkansas Teen Dana Stidham - Yahoo Dig deeper into the stories you've heard before, and encounter many others you haven't, in ways that actually help. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. "Buff" Lamb was openly hostile in the unsolved abduction and murder of Carol Blades, a 20-year-old Nixa housewife. The Most Terrifying Unsolved Murders In Every State - YourTango His sentence in Illinois was lengthened in1977; hewas given another 18 years for trying to escape. For nearly three decades the homicide case of Fort Smith teen Melissa Witt has gone unsolved, but a former detective refuses to give up hope. Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock Steven Fisher, 20, and his girlfriend Melisa Gregory, 17, were bludgeoned to death on a ranch northwest of Newton, Iowa, in 1983. You can visit his grave at Graceland Cemetery in Pine Bluff, but we can't promise it will reveal any clues about his mysterious demise. Home > Crime Info & Support > Crime Information Center > Community Information > Missing Persons Information. Jenkins added. 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. ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) There are at least four unsolved missing person cases in North Central Arkansas since 1991, and all are women. if(window.innerWidth<700){ezoicSiteSpeed(jQuery(document),String(/documentReady/).substring(1).slice(0,-1),String(/jQuery-document-dot-ready/).substring(1).slice(0,-1),function($){$("#skip_expand").html("(Expand+)");$("#toc ul").css("display","none");$("#skip_expand").on("click",function(){$("#toc ul").toggle()});$("#toc h3").on("click",function(){$("#toc ul").toggle()});});}. Research Guide to the Criminal Case Files of Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1860 And, they asked, who leaves their clothes in a drier prior to running off? According to Sgt. All charges were dropped in 2005. A homicide can also be cleared if the victim of the crime hinders the prosecution by refusing to testify. There are fifty states in the unsolved murders in arkansas near future, information on Arkansas construction project? I've stood in the same parking lot where Melissa went missing. 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. Crime News | Little Rock, Arkansas | thv11.com By James Pletcher Jr. Jul 25, 2013 . 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. Danas father passed away 10 years after his daughter was killed. The cause of death is listed as"homicidal violence.". Three years after her murder, Melissa's family, the Parnells' filed a suit against the C N Bowl Corp. There were no records found of her death. Arkansas is famous for many homeowners. Georgia dreads that outcome. Its illegal to hunt "Whitey" within the protected land. 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 monthly statistics are calculated to address the most frequently requested inquiries. 29 Unsolved Murders That Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine - The Lineup Westark Community College/University Of Arkansas, Afternoon:Melissa has lunch with a friend, She met her friend at Chick-fil-A which was just down the road from the college, Afternoon:Melissa works at the dentist office in the afternoon, She was employed part time as a dental assistant, 5:00 PM:Melissa's car doesn't start after leaving work. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Over a month after she went missing, her body was found in the Ozark National Forest. FORT SMITH, Ark. Recent job growth is Negative. 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. And give us some information about what they actually told the police department back there in 1979, daughter Nikki Ensey told 5NEWS. Brad Cole, current Christian County sheriff, said the Blades murder is an open case. She was found not guilty in 2015. Swearingen denied murdering Missy Witt and was executed on January 27, 2009, for Melissa Trotter's murder. FPD Sergeant Tony Murphy said. Blades was 5-foot-2 and 115 pounds. Especially at the county levels.". Once inside, the responders found the brutalized bodies of four teenage girls-Amy Ayers, Jennifer Harbison, Sarah Harbison and Eliza Thomas. People who live in Fort Smith generally consider the southeast part of the city to be the safest. More:Pokin Around: Inspired by a readers question, an investigation into the 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson. If you have information on any of the persons . Sergeant Jenkins said Benton County Police issued a Be On the Lookout (BOLO ) at 9:43 p.m. At 6:30 a.m. the next day, Danas car was found in the southbound lane of highway 71, Sgt. 'Cold Justice' Murder Cases Solved: Cynthia Smith And More | Crime News Though the fourth boy, Nils Wilhelm Gustafsson, survived the attack and lead a relatively normal life, he became a suspect in 2004. 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. 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. Melissa is pronounced deceased. There are currently no cases that match the selected filters. That left us with 26 cities to rank. The West Memphis Three: Arkansas's most controversial murder case involves three men who were tried and convicted as teenagers in 1994 of the 1993 murders of three eight-year old boys (Steve Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers) in West Memphis, Arkansas. 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