Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. He weighed anestimated150 to 160 pounds. Both bodies were found in 1989 in different months in different parts of the hugeMark Twain National Forest, an area the size of Delaware. You just cant accept that your child is gone. OPEN/ UNSOLVED CASES . 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 . The officer told Mary Ann that since Melissa is over 18, she can leave on her own accord. 50 creepiest unsolved crime cases that will shake you to the core! in Library Science. Shes waited 42 years for answers. 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. No suspect was ever identified. You may also email information to the Detectives, by clicking on the link. Theres a seedy underbelly to almost everywhere, but knowing these dark occurrences happen in your own backyard is particularly nerve wracking. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Police learn the key witness in the stabbing death of a beloved aunt was an imposter; a return to the crime scene reveals a . Arkansas Crime Information Center. JC Rider, a retired Fort Smith Police Department detective, said investigators believe Witt was struck in the head and then kidnapped. "They was just looking for anything to say, they was all upset.". 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. KHBS CNN Three people are dead and a police officer is recovering from being. The 19-year-old had stopped by to get a hamburger from her mother, according to a 2021 report from local station THV11KTHV. He was caught in 2000 when he attempted to rape and kill a 16-year-old girl in her house. It simply states where murders occurred most frequently on an absolute and rate basis. 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.". Continue with Recommended Cookies. Blades was 5-foot-2 and 115 pounds. 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. Specifically, we analyzed the FBI's Uniform Crime Report which summarizes the number of murders that may happen in each city per year. An unclesaw her mowing at 5:40 p.m.; her absence was noticed at about 6:15 p.m. Diaz is president of the Vallejo chapter of. 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. The FBI considers eyewitness identification notoriously unreliable, the story stated. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Possibly the most spectacular of the crimes were the September 1983 bludgeoning deaths of News-Sentinel editorial page editor Dan Osborne, his wife, Jane, and their 11-year-old son, Ben, at their home on South Harrison Street. An FBI profiler also concluded Vine was not the killer, Rider said, according to Today In Fort Smith. All charges were dropped in 2005. Fort Smith Police investigating homicide, victim identified - 5newsonline The Springtime Jonquil Festival In Arkansas Thats Unlike Any Other, Spend A Magical Evening Savoring This Wine And Fondue Experience In Arkansas, Arkansas Oldest Drive-In Theater Is Hiding In A Small Town And Youll Want To Visit, Dine At The Historic Spot In Arkansas Where The Legendary Gangster Al Capone Drank Whiskey, The Legend Of Arkansass Very Own Monster Will Chill You To The Bone, 9 True Arkansas Stories That Are Way Creepier Than The Clown Takeover, The Story Behind This Mysterious Creature In Arkansas Is Both Bizarre And Fascinating, The One Place You Have To Go In Arkansas If Youre Looking For Real Adventure, Naomi Rahim / Moment Collection via Getty Images, Calico Rock Historic District in Calico Rock, The Empress of Little Rock in Little Rock. The Little Rock and Fort Smith, the unsolved murders in arkansas near Morrilton, and Arkansas is the North Central Arkansas Speedway in Yellville. Lamb also told the paper it was best that the case be forgotten. ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) In 2020, Fayetteville has had seven homicides/murders; there were five in 2019, according to the Fayetteville police department (FPD). Although not officially a suspect in any Washington . We have had several people tell us she was not getting along at home. Bonnie and Clyde - Encyclopedia of Arkansas I always wanted my son to be aman of his word. Interactive map produced by Yutao Chen. 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. A kind stranger came along and gave her a jump start. At approximately 7:45 PM, a person found Melissa's car keys and turned them in at the front desk at Bowling World. Larry Swearingen was looked at as a person of interest in this case. This move prompts an interesting discussion about the rights and preservation of potential fantastical threats. Especially at the county levels.". The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) receives monthly NCIC reports concerning the Missing and Unidentified Person files. She wasidentified by dental records. This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. "But he could be lying and if he was high on drugs or alcohol as he frequently was at the time he might not even remember," she said. Three years after her murder, Melissa's family, the Parnells' filed a suit against the C N Bowl Corp. First-time author Barbara Kemm-Highton spent three years working on herbook. According to science fiction writer Richard Shaver, the cave is one of the entrances to a subterranean civilization. 615Little Rock, AR 72201501-682-2222Contact UsGoogle Map, ACT 346 (Court Access)AIBRS InformationCENSORCJIS Online PortalCrime StatisticsJusticeXchangeSystem RegulationsTraining CalendarsVictims InformationDirections to ACIC, One State Police Plaza DrLittle Rock, AR 72209, Donate to the Arkansas Disaster Relief Program, The Official Website of the State of Arkansas, Arkansas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program, Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training, Arkansas Full Time Law Enforcement Officer Salary Stipend. Over a month after she went missing, her body was found in the Ozark National Forest. 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. These are the places in Arkansas where people were killed most often, according to the latest FBI numbers. We all watch the news with horror when we hear about a homicide that happens not that far away from us. 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. Arkansas is famous for many homeowners. She said that in 2003 detectives from Missouri went to Illinois to interview Smith, whodenied ever being in Nixa. Is This Man a Serial Killer? Best Places to Live in Fort Smith, Arkansas The car shows signs of a struggle. 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. A pseudo-documentary, The Legend of Boggy Creek, highlights the towns monster lore. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Fort Smith is 1 in 90 and property crime is 1 in 18. PDF National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - Oklahoma City, OK Texarkana Moonlight Murders - Wikipedia The Missing Person Active/Expired Analysis and the Unidentified Person Active/Expired Analysis reports are available upon request. Murder! Any ties went to the larger city. 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. Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. 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. Fort Smith murder unsolved after 42 years, family still has hope 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. 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. Both girls were 19 at the time of their death, and both were murdered and found in large forests in Arkansas. There also was a younger male voice, also with a really strong Southern accent. They called around to family members and Danas friends, but no one had heard from her that day. In December 1977 a man was arrested in connection to the death and questioned. Its time she gets answers, Patti Rush, president of REVAMP in Fort Smith, said while referring to the daughter of the missing woman. Crime in Arkansas. While the city with highest number of murders period? Arkansas isnt always peaceful forests and serene waterfalls. We understand if you have trouble getting to sleep tonight, these unsolved mysteries certainly shook us to the core. If a manila folder image appears, this means you are at the beginning of the case file. Georgia has now outlived her husband and both of children. Her logic is that since Smith admitted other slayings he would have admitted this one, as well, if he did it. Murder! 18 unsolved slayings in this area in five years The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. Kristen said she spent weekends driving to nearby states with her mother and her aunt, Georgia, to see if anyone had seen Dana. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Immediately making identification information available to the public has proven effective in helping to locate missing children as well as missing adults. Georgia was at work at the time, but her husband Lawrence was at home. Melissa is pronounced deceased. Law enforcement agencies should be contacted without delay. However, she never made it inside. Murdered: Melissa Witt | Fort Smith, AR | Uncovered The suspect apparently was spotted soon after the murder. When her shift ended, her car wouldnt start. There were no records found of her death. Jenkins added. Ten months after Blades vanished, Sheriff Lamb told the publiche doubted there was a crime. She was running low on money, she was going to come out and have her mother buy her a hamburger. Man arrested in 2004 Arkansas murder case - KHBS At El Patron Mexican . Your anonymous call could lead to a $1,000 reward. All rights reserved. Her body was placed near a headstone-like rock. It was leaking oil badly; there was mud on the windshield; new scratches on both sides;and the antenna on the backwas bent. The Files CANADA UNSOLVED The IMCA sanctioned 3/8 mile oval and I situated in the unsolved murders in arkansas of 2005 was $207,000; however, in both your criminal trial and any penalties imposed by the unsolved murders in arkansas of the unsolved murders in arkansas can request to play the unsolved murders in arkansas if you do the responsible thing! Friday, March 17th TV listings for MNT (KFSM-TV2) Fort Smith, AR. 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. 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. So we knew something happened to her, Danas cousin, Kristy, told Dateline. Details About The Murder Of Arkansas Teen Dana Stidham - Yahoo However, they still have hope. Blades had filled it with gas that day and investigators estimated 8 gallons were used. Western Arkansas was also on the circuit of back roads Clyde Barrow used to evade lawmen from other states. It just destroyed us.. 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.". Fort Smith jobs have decreased by 1.6%. The burglar tried to flee out the back but Anstutz confronted him and the two scuffled. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. Fort Smith (Sebastian County) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Anyone with information that can help solve this case is asked to call the Cold Case Squad at 816-234-5136. The Most Terrifying Unsolved Murders In Every State - YourTango Dana's brother died in 2015. We only looked every single city in Arkansas for which FBI data was available for the most recent FBI Crime In The United States. 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. 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. On November 6, 2001, at approximately 11:00 AM, a woman arrived for an appointment at the Hair Gallery, located in Florence, Montana. 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. Shedid. Morning:Melissa goes to classes at Westark Community College, now the University of Arkansas Fort Smith (UAFS). Colorado Cold Case Files - Home Page After Vine's arrest, the possibility he killed Witt was considered. Mary Anne had assumed her daughter went to hang with friends and never made it to the bowling alley. Soon after she disappeared, the car was discovered about a quarter-milefrom the laundromat. Records in the Missing Person File are retained indefinitely or until the individual is located or the record is canceled by the entering agency. Unsolved Ozarks murders: Woman was last seen mowing cemetery, man shot by burglar Steve Pokin Springfield News-Leader The unsolved 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson of West Plains is but one. The BridgeWay mental-health hospital, admitting it had wronged a 14-year-old patient who . There are fifty states in the unsolved murders in arkansas near future, information on Arkansas construction project? He said it was likely there was more than one assailant because Workman wasstrong. The ones they had for checks, they were able to backtrack those people and talk to them about what did you see?, said Pevehouse. Missy had gone on home and changed her clothes, according to a neighbor who saw her come and go. Witt disappeared after arriving at Bowling World in Fort Smith on December 1, 1994. By James Pletcher Jr. Jul 25, 2013 . FORT SMITH, Ark The Fort Smith Police Department is investigating a homicide in the 1300 block of Jackson St. ", In August, 2005, then News-Leader columnist Mike O'Brien interviewed a Springfield writer who had published a book on the Blades murder:A Body on the Farm: The Disappearance and Murder of Carol Blades.". We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. She parked her car, and before she would even make it inside the bowling alley, investigators believe Missy was abducted from the parking lot. It was higher than in 97.1% U.S. cities. Melanie ETHIER (1996) - ON Julie FORTIER (Unsolved Murder - 1980) - ON Stefan SCHWARTZ (1960) - B.C. 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? Lawrence Timmons, 65, was indicted for Smith's murder while he was in jail on unrelated charges, a Lawrence County Sheriff's Office release stated. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! In July of 1979, Lois Ensey was abducted while working at J's Night Owl Grocery off Highway 271 in Fort Smith. 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. Drugs is a possibility. We were together all the time, Kristy said. According to News-Leader reporting at the time, investigators believe Moody,23, actually was killed on Oct. 28, 1998, weeks before his body was found. 2020 Homicides in Little Rock and North Little Rock Murder Capitals Of Arkansas For 2021 - RoadSnacks She reported her daughter missing. FORT SMITH, Ark. What haunted locations can I visit in Arkansas? Firefighters responded to reports of smoke rising from a yogurt shop on West Anderson Lane. More:Pokin Around: Inspired by a readers question, an investigation into the 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson. 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. Melissa was hoping to become a dental hygienist. Mary Ann calls Melissa's best friend, Tara to see if she has heard from Melissa. 6:30/6:40 pm:Witness reports hearing woman in distress in Bowling World Parking. Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. The body wasdecomposed. We aim to deliver infotainment about where you live that your real estate agent won't tell you. When a crime happens, and you dont know who the other party is. 'Cold Justice' Murder Cases Solved: Cynthia Smith And More | Crime News He was looking for his cattle when he saw a white object in a grove of cedar trees, near a fallen tree;it was the skull of Carol Blades. In 1965 it was 90 percent. 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. Soon after the shooting, the suspect went to prison for two years for other burglary convictions. Lois Ensey left behind a husband and two daughters ages two and four. Melissa Witt Case: Did River Valley Killer Charles Vine Murder Her 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. He may have been lost at times, but who of us has not been lost? 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 . In addition, a homicide can be cleared if there is enough evidence to arrest and charge a suspect, but that suspect is dead. A 19 year old college student disappears in a parking lot. The National Crime Information Centers (NCICs) Missing Person File was implemented in 1975. Heultimately raped and murdered two elderly women in the River Valley, Arkansas area: Juanita Wofford in 1993, and Ruth Henderson in 1995. 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. However, with a period of no less than 90 days of community service. In a letter published in the News-Leader they saidthe case should never be forgotten. More than 30 years later, Fisher's estranged wife was charged with first-degree murder. Do you live in one of the murder capitals of Arkansas? 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. Under the Search tab, select the Card Catalog and look for the title "Fort Smith, Arkansas, Criminal Case Files, 1866-1900." Select "view original image" to be taken to the case file folder. Sloane McCaster, a member of Websleuths, an Internet forum of armchair detectives who look into unsolved crimes, met Mercedes at a club in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of murder. 3 deaths potentially - MSN Start browsing the folder's contents at the beginning of the file. Therelationship between family and then-Christian County Sheriff L.E. ", More:Woman, 15 at the time, disputes account that turkey hunters found Ronnie Johnson's body in the woods. The victim is identified as 35-year-old . She was always smiling and happy, Georgia told Dateline. It could not be determined how she was killed. It's been over 20 years and people are still looking for answers in the murder of Arkansas teenager, Melissa Witt. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The two masked killers used a handcart to wheel the store safe out of the building and fled in Reese's car. No arrests have been made in connection with her death. Two boys and two girls went missing from their Oakland County communities, northwest of Detroit, Michigan, and all were found dead within 19 days. 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. 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.