Melissa Witt was abducted from a bowling alley parking lot in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1994. Friday, March 17th TV listings for MNT (KFSM-TV2) Fort Smith, AR. The Colorado Cold Case Database features unsolved homicides, missing person, and unidentified person cases to assist law enforcement agencies in the development of information, which can lead to the identification, and arrest of any person (s) who may have committed any crime described on this page. 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. In 1965 it was 90 percent. Ron Davis, the reporter, interviewed one of them. 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. She was very sweet, but timid and scared to death of her boyfriend. Firefighters responded to reports of smoke rising from a yogurt shop on West Anderson Lane. These are the places in Arkansas where people were killed most often, according to the latest FBI numbers. The victim is identified as 35-year-old . 2023 www.news-leader.com. Furthermore, Swearingen was known to be in the area around the time Missy was abducted. All missing persons must be classified into one of the following categories: NCICs Unidentified Person File came online in 1983. William Gardiner, a preacher of the Primitive Methodist Chapel, was suspected due . 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 following persons have active warrants for their arrest. The Fort Smith Police Department investigated her disappearance as a missing person case until they found her body days later off Highway 71 and Treece Road. Although the region has its fair share of beauty and wonder, thats not all youll find there. Lifestyle is a possibility that may play a role in his death.". "It's better that it not be brought up because the more something like that is bought up, the worse it gets," he said. Drugs is a possibility. Witt disappeared after arriving at Bowling World in Fort Smith on December 1, 1994. She parked her car, and before she would even make it inside the bowling alley, investigators believe Missy was abducted from the parking lot. Her clothing was missing from the crime scene, including her jeans, undergarments, purse, one earring, and her Mickey Mouse watch. 1326, Episode 35 - Arkansas - Who Killed Melissa Witt Part 2. Moody's father Jim wrote a letter about his son that he gave to the media. Smith was also questioned in the 1983 unsolved murder of a 14-year-old girl in Idaho. 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. The body was found on Forest Service Road 1551, located off Franklin County 111, also known as Jethro Road. Example video title will go here for this video. The 2019 Fort Smith crime rate rose by 17% compared to 2018. No circumstance has a more devastating effect on a family than the unknown whereabouts of a loved one. She was found not guilty in 2015. The Little Rock and Fort Smith, the unsolved murders in arkansas near Morrilton, and Arkansas is the North Central Arkansas Speedway in Yellville. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - Oklahoma City, OK CBI FOHVAMP . Many conspiracies were prompted by the tragedy, including a (mildly far-fetched) drug smuggling cover-up connected to a former U.S. President. 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 suspect apparently was spotted soon after the murder. They also tried search warrants and subpoenas for information but had no luck. 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. The murders remain unsolved. I've stood in the same parking lot where Melissa went missing. Chasing Chains, LLC. 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. Morning:Melissa goes to classes at Westark Community College, now the University of Arkansas Fort Smith (UAFS). Evening:Melissa arrives at Bowling World to have dinner with her mother but never makes it inside. Jenkins added. 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. You Decide. Crime in Arkansas. Details About Her Unsolved Murder And Why Police Haven't Caught The Killer. 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 . There were 'only' 26 cities in Arkansas where a city reported a murder to the FBI, meaning 36 places had no murder. We only looked every single city in Arkansas for which FBI data was available for the most recent FBI Crime In The United States. Download the Uncovered Citizen Detective Guide to learn more about how thoughtful and safe online sleuthing. Theres a seedy underbelly to almost everywhere, but knowing these dark occurrences happen in your own backyard is particularly nerve wracking. Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Fort Smith Police Department. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. The city with highest murder rate in Arkansas? Sergeant Jenkins said there are several people of interest in the case, and that it is still being worked as an active investigation. It is now home to large manufacturing plants; St. Edward Mercy Medical Center and Sparks Regional Medical Center, which provide healthcare to residents beyond the confines of the city; and the . No one noticed the blood splatter on her keys at the time. However, they still have hope. While the city with highest number of murders period? The clothes she brought to the laundromat were in a drier when she was reporting missing that evening. Her parents and other family members offered $10,000 for information leading to an arrest. You can download the data here. 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. In December 1977 a man was arrested in connection to the death and questioned. . One of the bullets severed a major artery and Anstutz died an hour later at Cox Medical Center South. Both bodies were found in 1989 in different months in different parts of the hugeMark Twain National Forest, an area the size of Delaware. Howard County Sheriff's Department. If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already. This was on Dec. 3, 1969 12 days before Blades was abducted and killed. 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. Family members bristled at those comments. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If I did, I would certainly honor your most understandable request.. 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. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. In the summer of 1989, she continued to work at the store while figuring out what she wanted to do, Georgia said. It's believed that Melissa wore a white v-neck sweater and blue jeans. Danas parents continued to drive around, but did not find their daughter. Smith has also confessed to killing several women while a U.S. Marine in West Germanyin the 1960s. Records are retained indefinitely, unless removed by the entering agency. Murderpedia . She always called. 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 was described as 5 feet 9 or 10 inches tall, a white man with a dark complexion andblack hair combed back. The Category is reserved for cases of Unsolved Mysteries that occurred in Arkansas. There was not one sign of foul play, he said. There were no signs of struggle. Kemm-Highton saidin August she does not believe Smith killed Blades. It could not be determined how she was killed. Arkansas is famous for many homeowners. The two masked killers used a handcart to wheel the store safe out of the building and fled in Reese's car. Arkansas law requires all missing persons to be entered immediately. More Economy. The keys were still in the ignition. Some theorize she may have been the victim of a local serial killer, "The River Valley Killer.". The Missing Person Active/Expired Analysis and the Unidentified Person Active/Expired Analysis reports are available upon request. DNA evidence then connected him to the other crimes. Home > Crime Info & Support > Crime Information Center > Community Information > Missing Persons Information. Tragically, we'll never know who murdered these young men. 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. Often in unsolved murders, family members of the victim lose faith in the investigators trying to solve the case so charges can be filed. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. This can be a post about an unsolved homicide, a missing person, an unidentified person, a wrongful conviction, or forensics. However, Missy's clothes and personal belongings were missing from the scene and were never found. An autopsy could not determine cause of death; she was not shot and apparently was not raped. According to private investigators, it was her second night on the job and her first time working solo. 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 . Fort Smith jobs have decreased by 1.6%. She wouldn't let her dad wait on that.. Western Arkansas was also on the circuit of back roads Clyde Barrow used to evade lawmen from other states. Murder! Connect with Never Forgotten Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. 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. All rights reserved. RELATED: Details About The Murder Of Arkansas Teen Dana Stidham And Why Police Have Yet To Find Her Killer Alabama. Here's what is known about them SABRINA LYNN UNDERWOOD:. Above the railroad tracks near Gurdon, a mysterious floating light has been spotted. Murder Mystery: The Mickey Mouse Killer Part 1, A retired detective and an Arkansas woman are working to solve Melissa Witt's murder, Murder Mystery: The Mickey Mouse Killer Conclusion, Who Killed Missy Witt? 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. 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. Melissa Witt was a hardworking and ambitious, 19-year-old college student. December 1, 1994, was a typical day for Missy. 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. Kristen said she spent weekends driving to nearby states with her mother and her aunt, Georgia, to see if anyone had seen Dana. Shes waited 42 years for answers. Therelationship between family and then-Christian County Sheriff L.E. Melissa and her mother have a disagreement over money, Melissa goes to classes at Westark Community College, now the University of Arkansas Fort Smith (UAFS), Melissa works at the dentist office in the afternoon, Melissa's car doesn't start after leaving work, Melissa arrives at Bowling World to have dinner with her mother but never makes it inside, Witness reports hearing woman in distress in Bowling World Parking, Melissa's body is found by two trappers in the Ozark National Forest, Wal-Mart dedicates their missing persons board to Melissa Witt, 27 y.o.man,charged w/kidnapping,raping,& killing 19 y.o.college student gal in TX in 1998,is prime suspect in unsolved 1994 college gal killing in AR, Parnell v. C & N Bowl Corp., 954 F. Supp. It simply states where murders occurred most frequently on an absolute and rate basis. "They was just looking for anything to say, they was all upset.". 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. The murder of two grandparents tears a family apart; two decades later, a detective races to solve the cold case that has haunted him since he was a child. Donate. 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. The light is the ghosts lantern used to search for his head. Melissa asked her mom to borrow some money and told her she would pay her back with her next paycheck. He loved tinkering with cars, being outdoors and being a loyal friend. Join a singles club and meet with great singles. Wanted for Arrest. The cause of death is listed as"homicidal violence.". Immediately making identification information available to the public has proven effective in helping to locate missing children as well as missing adults. Although not officially a suspect in any Washington . Outreach. On December 6, 1991, Austin, Texas was shell-shocked by a vicious crime. 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. No arrests have been made in connection with her death. Steve Hamilton was a Springfield police lieutenant at the time. Police learn the key witness in the stabbing death of a beloved aunt was an imposter; a return to the crime scene reveals a . According to Sgt. First-time author Barbara Kemm-Highton spent three years working on herbook. Her body was placed near a headstone-like rock. Arkansas isnt always peaceful forests and serene waterfalls. 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. 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. But we're certain he got the idea from some of the real life eye witness reports. On July 25, 1989, 18-year-old Dana Stidham left her parents' home to pick up her father's . 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. He may have been lost at times, but who of us has not been lost? She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite. All charges were dropped in 2005. Melissa drove a white 1995 Mitsubishi Mirage. Danas personal belongings, however, were not inside the car. But she never made it inside. Taxes and utilities also rank low on the national scale allowing those searching for dens in early October and early November. Both cases remain unsolved. 1. That humming sound one hears is that of healthy baby bears, nursing to their little heart's content. The family alleged that the defendant failed to exercise ordinary care to provide for the safety of business. in Library Science. Both tried to interview witnesses, but they could only speak with certain people. Little Rock with 38. Some of that gas, but not all,could be accounted for by a trip Blades made to Kmart in Springfield to buypresents. Serial killer Mark Alan Smith was sentenced to 500 years for raping and killing threeIllinois women. Went to the store, and people said that she had been there and bought what she needed and left, Georgia said. You can find the link in the menu bar. Vine's disturbing and vicious rape and killing spree is further explored in theOxygenspecial "Snapped Notorious: The River Valley Killer." Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Fort Smith is 1 in 90 and property crime is 1 in 18. Georgia said that this was strange behavior from Dana. Our Cases. Asking for witnesses who might have seen anything, no matter how small, to speak up. They were attributed to an alleged unidentified serial killer known as the Phantom of Texarkana or simply the Phantom Killer or Phantom Slayer. On November 6, 2001, at approximately 11:00 AM, a woman arrived for an appointment at the Hair Gallery, located in Florence, Montana. Both girls were 19 at the time of their death, and both were murdered and found in large forests in Arkansas. A patron had discovered her car keys and turned them in the night Witt disappeared. Anstuz was a carpenter at Killian Construction in Springfield. She was shy and didn't like to smile much; she was self-conscious about a crooked front tooth. And give us some information about what they actually told the police department back there in 1979, daughter Nikki Ensey told 5NEWS. 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. 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. A DNA match helps link multiple unsolved murders down to one man in this clip from Season 2, Episode 5.Tune in to Cold Case Files, Fridays at 9/8c on A&E, an. 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. 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. If you have any information, you can call the River Valley crime stoppers at (479)-78-CRIME. 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. Lambblamed the Blades family for starting rumors that he was involved in the murder. Her death differed from the attacks on the other three women, though: She was not beaten in the same way. It's been nearly 30 years since Pam Felkins was kidnapped from her job at an Arkansas video store, raped and then murdered -- but . 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. Nobody should ever have to lose a child.. 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. Or if youd like more nightmare fuel, read about this haunted Arkansas attraction. Should Smith, now 73, ever be releasedin Illinoishe would face a life sentence in Arkansas. Records in the Missing Person File are retained indefinitely or until the individual is located or the record is canceled by the entering agency. OPEN/ UNSOLVED CASES . Missy had gone on home and changed her clothes, according to a neighbor who saw her come and go. And I was lucky enough to have her.. Melissa's mother assumed that her daughter was with friends that evening. The hunt for answers continues to this day, as the case remains open,THV11 KTHV reported. In July of 1979, Lois Ensey was abducted while working at J's Night Owl Grocery off Highway 271 in Fort Smith. 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. We aim to deliver infotainment about where you live that your real estate agent won't tell you. Turner retired from law enforcement in 2020 after nearly 24 years with the Ozark Police Department. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Did The River Valley Killer Kidnap A Teenage Girl From A Bowling Alley Parking Lot And Murder Her? We all know she was really responsible, and she knew her dad was waiting on the medicine. Hurrying to the scene, deputies found a bloody 1961 Ford with bullet holes in it. Fort Smith shares its status with Greenwood as the county seat of Sebastian County. Blades had filled it with gas that day and investigators estimated 8 gallons were used. We use data, analytics, and a sense of humor to determine the dirt on places across the country. Updated: 6:31 AM CDT October 4, 2021. 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. She suffered a gunshot wound to her head. Denver Post . People who live in Fort Smith generally consider the southeast part of the city to be the safest. More:'I want justice for my father': An investigation into the 1989 death of Ronnie Johnson. Despite various theories, the case remains unsolved. He said: There are many possibilities in the death of Mr. Moody. 5 The Florence Salon Murders. Her logic is that since Smith admitted other slayings he would have admitted this one, as well, if he did it. Workman was 6 feet tall and 135 pounds. It was described in news storiesas "torn up." 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. According to science fiction writer Richard Shaver, the cave is one of the entrances to a subterranean civilization. Melissa's mother, Mary Anne passes away. Search dogs were used in the days following Danas disappearance, Sgt. 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 features cultural and social hub of the Arkansas Insurance Department. The lawnmowing job was only about one-third complete and her car was still there, with the keys in it. His father, Alex Murdaugh, a local attorney and the son of Randolph Murdaugh III, owns the boat.. Archive statistics are available upon request. More than 30 years later, Fisher's estranged wife was charged with first-degree murder. By James Pletcher Jr. Jul 25, 2013 . *This list consists of persons who have been reported missing to the Department of Public Safety under undetermined circumstances. Photo credit: Kurt Wilson/ Missoulian. 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. In Arkansas you also have added to the unsolved murders in arkansas an unusual place to visit. Each of these victims were submitted by families or law enforcement through our submission page. Manage Settings They denied ever suggesting Lamb was involvedbut stood firm in their belief Lamb was incompetent as a criminal investigator. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Blades' husband, Larry, and her parents Louis and Geraldine Horton took issue with the sheriff's comments. Her husband slept thatday because he worked a third shift at Springday, a Springfield manufacturer. 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. Your anonymous call could lead to a $1,000 reward. Danas parents lived in Hiwasse, Arkansas, a 10-minute drive from Centerton, and she visited them often, Georgia said. Ashley County Obituaries, 1965-present from the Ashley County Ledger - also includes cemetery listings. The massacre inspired the movie "The Town that Dreaded Sundown." The News-Leader contacted Kelle Ann Workman's brother, Marc. As time passes on, I am afraid my sons murderer or murderers will not be found.. The day she disappeared Blades was driving the couple's 1965 Chevy Impala. 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. More:Pokin Around: Inspired by a readers question, an investigation into the 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson. Katherine Baker Case Report Number: 90-053018 FORT SMITH, Ark The Fort Smith Police Department is investigating a homicide in the 1300 block of Jackson St. Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Fort Smith, AR. With so many things you can choose from. If they can come forward anonymously, they could contact Sebastian County Sheriffs Office, Rush said. "Westill follow up on leads that come in from time to time," he said. FORT SMITH, Ark. 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. 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. Christopher Reese's 2014 murder in Notus, Idaho remains 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. Get more stories delivered right to your email. This move prompts an interesting discussion about the rights and preservation of potential fantastical threats. An unclesaw her mowing at 5:40 p.m.; her absence was noticed at about 6:15 p.m. What haunted locations can I visit in Arkansas? She reported her daughter missing. Little Rock Three years after her murder, Melissa's family, the Parnells' filed a suit against the C N Bowl Corp.