"We loved him dearly.". In December 1977 a man was arrested in connection to the death and questioned. Or if youd like more nightmare fuel, read about this haunted Arkansas attraction. In Arkansas you also have added to the unsolved murders in arkansas an unusual place to visit. Interactive map produced by Yutao Chen. Soon after she disappeared, the car was discovered about a quarter-milefrom the laundromat. After Vine's arrest, the possibility he killed Witt was considered. Georgia said that this was strange behavior from Dana. 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. And give us some information about what they actually told the police department back there in 1979, daughter Nikki Ensey told 5NEWS. When they find her body, she had been exposed to extreme temperatures, Rush said. Jenkins told Dateline. Rancher Ernest Wilhelm discovered her skeletal remains on his farmtwo miles west of Ponce de Leon. 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.. Melissa drove a white 1995 Mitsubishi Mirage. It just destroyed us.. She was considering studying business at university. Would you dare investigate what clawed monster lives in the deep? Get more stories delivered right to your email. According to private investigators, it was her second night on the job and her first time working solo. ", 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 data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. The rest of Danas family became alarmed when they still had not heard from her that night. There were no records found of her death. 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. We were together all the time, Kristy said. People who live in Fort Smith generally consider the southeast part of the city to be the safest. These are the places in Arkansas where people were killed most often, according to the latest FBI numbers. It's been over 20 years and people are still looking for answers in the murder of Arkansas teenager, Melissa Witt. Lois Ensey left behind a husband and two daughters ages two and four. Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. The court determined that the events were not foreseeable and the case was ultimately dismissed. 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. Search dogs were used in the days following Danas disappearance, Sgt. Murderpedia . The unsolved 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson of West Plainsis but one of many in the Ozarks. FORT SMITH, Ark The Fort Smith Police Department is investigating a homicide in the 1300 block of Jackson St. ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) There are at least four unsolved missing person cases in North Central Arkansas since 1991, and all are women. 322 S. Main Street, Ste. It's been over 20 years and people are still looking for answers in the murder of Arkansas teenager, Melissa Witt. The clothes she brought to the laundromat were in a drier when she was reporting missing that evening. Her body was found a year later in the Ozark Mountains by trappers. Police called the man a "suspect." Manage Settings 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 Most Dangerous Places in Arkansas The 10 Murder Capitals Of Arkansas For 2021 1. A kind stranger came along and gave her a jump start. We were very young. Outreach. She was running low on money, she was going to come out and have her mother buy her a hamburger. Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Fort Smith Police Department. Her death differed from the attacks on the other three women, though: She was not beaten in the same way. 1. She was always smiling and happy, Georgia told Dateline. 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. A patron had discovered her car keys and turned them in the night Witt disappeared. 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. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. We have had several people tell us she was not getting along at home. The suspect apparently was spotted soon after the murder. In addition, a homicide can be cleared if there is enough evidence to arrest and charge a suspect, but that suspect is dead. Diaz is president of the Vallejo chapter of. That left us with 26 cities to rank. She wouldn't let her dad wait on that.. 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! Judge orders North Little Rock mental health facility to pay $2.5M in teen rape case. Her body was placed near a headstone-like rock. CBI FOHVAMP . Melissa and Tara have biology class together on Friday, and then had plans to hang out that evening. An unclesaw her mowing at 5:40 p.m.; her absence was noticed at about 6:15 p.m. 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. They died never knowing what happened to Dana. That would be Helena-West Helena with 108.0 murders per 100,000 people. The body was discovered by a Conco employee. You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website. 100 Wayland Smith Drive , Uniontown, PA 15401 +1(724)437-7300 Currently Open. In 1979, Lois Ensey was abducted while working at J's Night Owl Grocery off Highway 271 in Fort Smith. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Mary Ann calls Melissa's best friend, Tara to see if she has heard from Melissa. However, with a period of no less than 90 days of community service. Her body was fully clothed. Melanie ETHIER (1996) - ON Julie FORTIER (Unsolved Murder - 1980) - ON Stefan SCHWARTZ (1960) - B.C. Kristy said her family was struck with fear for what happened to Dana after that. Brad Cole, current Christian County sheriff, said the Blades murder is an open case. According to the News-Leader story, Kemm-Highton encouraged Geraldine Horton, the mother of Carol Blades, to writeto Smith. No one noticed the blood splatter on her keys at the time. His name was never released. 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. 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. Lifestyle is a possibility that may play a role in his death.". We were robbed of her wisdom and just her life in general.. Certain details are withheld due to maintaining the integrity of the case, Sgt. I wanted a better life for him than I had. You may also email information to the Detectives, by clicking on the link. The cases. Resources. That humming sound one hears is that of healthy baby bears, nursing to their little heart's content. Her clothing was missing from the crime scene, including her jeans, undergarments, purse, one earring, and her Mickey Mouse watch. It's been nearly 30 years since Pam Felkins was kidnapped from her job at an Arkansas video store, raped and then murdered -- but . We understand if you have trouble getting to sleep tonight, these unsolved mysteries certainly shook us to the core. The Social Security Administration records do not . 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. "Since her death in 1989 our family has reached out to the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation on numerous occasions," he said. At El Patron Mexican . 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. Two people witness Melissa's abduction. Instead, we looked at the hard numbers from the FBI's last year of reporting. At that point there was no reason to believe she was abducted. Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Fort Smith, AR. She had accidentally left something on, and the battery was dead. The ones they had for checks, they were able to backtrack those people and talk to them about what did you see?, said Pevehouse. Arkansas isnt always peaceful forests and serene waterfalls. An old wives tale is one thing, but once physical evidence gets involved these stories become especially chilling. For individuals wishing to review their own record or somebody who they know hasn't been out of the unsolved murders in arkansas as being the unsolved murders in arkansas in Arkansas. One of the bullets severed a major artery and Anstutz died an hour later at Cox Medical Center South. 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? Six people were on board the boat at the time of the crash, including 19-year-old Paul T. Murdaugh. She was found not guilty in 2015. It was described in news storiesas "torn up." The Oakland County Child Killer. 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. Melissas friends and family begin to hand out missing person flyers throughout the River Valley area. Melissa's mother, Mary Anne passes away. There were 'only' 26 cities in Arkansas where a city reported a murder to the FBI, meaning 36 places had no murder. 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. Georgia has now outlived her husband and both of children. Furthermore, Swearingen was known to be in the area around the time Missy was abducted. Ive always felt that the phone call was tied to what had happened, Rider said. 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. by Crawlspace - True Crime & Mysteries, Arkansas : Melissa Witt by Cults, Crimes & Cabernet, CrimeCon UK Live: The Girl I Never Knew by Crimepedia, Episode 29: Unsolved Murder: Melissa Witt by Unsolved America. 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. You can also report any information you may have concerning a crime and could receive a . Here's what is known about them SABRINA LYNN UNDERWOOD:. 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. This can be a post about an unsolved homicide, a missing person, an unidentified person, a wrongful conviction, or forensics. 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. Although the region has its fair share of beauty and wonder, thats not all youll find there. "I think I can speak for the entire family when I tell you that the entire investigation both past and present has been an utter and complete disappointment. RELATED: Detective believes 1995 murder of Arkansas teen could be tied to another case, RELATED: Alma Police receive hundreds of tips since 'Still Missing Morgan' documentary aired. Fort Smith murder unsolved after 42 years, family still has hope In 1979, Lois Ensey was abducted while working at J's Night Owl Grocery off Highway 271 in Fort Smith. Steve Hamilton was a Springfield police lieutenant at the time. The city with highest murder rate in Arkansas? He was elected sheriff in 1968; lost in 1972 (some say because of the unsolved Blades murder); and re-elected in 1976 and 1980. 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. 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. William Gardiner, a preacher of the Primitive Methodist Chapel, was suspected due . The only clues left at the scene were a gold hoop earring, a crushed hair clip, her car keys, and pools of blood.