Nobody should ever have to lose a child.. It's been over 20 years and people are still looking for answers in the murder of Arkansas teenager, Melissa Witt. Fort Smith shares its status with Greenwood as the county seat of Sebastian County. The three people at the time thought nothing of seeing theman dash across the field until they learned Blades was missing and her car was the one they had seenabandoned along Highway 160. Both Rush and Ensey believe police can solve the case. If you have any possible . Any ties went to the larger city. 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. FORT SMITH, Ark. We aim to deliver infotainment about where you live that your real estate agent won't tell you. Manage Settings Dana had been very well-liked, her cousin Kristy said she didnt have any problems with anyone. Although not officially a suspect in any Washington . Especially at the county levels.". 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. Diaz is president of the Vallejo chapter of. This was on Dec. 3, 1969 12 days before Blades was abducted and killed. Taxes and utilities also rank low on the national scale allowing those searching for dens in early October and early November. With so many things you can choose from. ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) In 2020, Fayetteville has had seven homicides/murders; there were five in 2019, according to the Fayetteville police department (FPD). I always wanted my son to be aman of his word. It just destroyed us.. A federal judge is to review an unsolved 1987 murder case of 2 young boys from Arkansas who were believed to have been killed by Clinton operatives. Three years after her murder, Melissa's family, the Parnells' filed a suit against the C N Bowl Corp. The FBI estimates the national clearance rate for murders is 61 percent. But Mary Ann knew this was out of character for Melissa. Her friends say she was friendly, kind-hearted, and a hard worker, which would serve her well as she dreamed of and was working toward her goal of becoming a dental hygienist. 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. Arkansas law requires all missing persons to be entered immediately. 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. 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. Vine's disturbing and vicious rape and killing spree is further explored in theOxygenspecial "Snapped Notorious: The River Valley Killer." According to private investigators, it was her second night on the job and her first time working solo. Judge To Review Clinton 1987 Murder Of 2 Arkansas Boys - News Punch 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. December 1, 1994, was a typical day for Missy. It's been over 20 years and people are still looking for answers in the murder of Arkansas teenager, Melissa Witt. Help bring awareness to the murder of Melissa Witt in hopes of generating new information that could bring justice to her case, Follow the Melissa Witt Facebook Group to follow the latest updates in the case. JC Rider, a retired Fort Smith Police Department detective, said investigators believe Witt was struck in the head and then kidnapped. She was really sweet, everybody liked her, she was friends with everybody.. Kristen said she spent weekends driving to nearby states with her mother and her aunt, Georgia, to see if anyone had seen Dana. Outreach. Faces of Unsolved Homicide - Project: Cold Case. 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. Fort Smith jobs have decreased by 1.6%. 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. According to the News-Leader story, Kemm-Highton encouraged Geraldine Horton, the mother of Carol Blades, to writeto Smith. Uncovered is where the most passionate true crime enthusiasts can learn from and teach others. On July 10, 1995, the News-Leader ran a story by reporter Robert Keyes with the headline "Killing 'solved' but never tried." 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. You Decide. 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. A 1995 News-Leader story mentioned by name two suspects brothers who lived near the cemetery. Download the Uncovered Citizen Detective Guide to learn more about how thoughtful and safe online sleuthing. Cold Case - ABI - AST - Alaska Department of Public Safety But she never made it inside. On Christmas Day, 1970 a year and 10 days after Blades disappeared her body was found in Stone County, 12 miles away. She was a 1967 graduate of Nixa High and her maiden name was Horton. Soon after the shooting, the suspect went to prison for two years for other burglary convictions. The number of homicides stood at 4 - a decrease of 5 compared to 2018. People who live in Fort Smith generally consider the southeast part of the city to be the safest. 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 . By James Pletcher Jr. Jul 25, 2013 . Both girls were 19 at the time of their death, and both were murdered and found in large forests in Arkansas. On December 6, 1991, Austin, Texas was shell-shocked by a vicious crime. If she was going to be late, she always called.. 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. The rate of crime in Fort Smith is 55.87 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. It was only her second. 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. Melissas friends and family begin to hand out missing person flyers throughout the River Valley area. Man arrested in 2004 Arkansas murder case - KHBS Arkansas Game and Fish Wildlife Biologist in the unsolved murders in arkansas to 2006. The body was discovered by a Conco employee. The Texarkana Moonlight Murders, a term coined by the contemporary press, was a series of four unsolved serial murders and related violent crimes committed in and around the Texarkana region of Arkansas and Texas in the late winter and spring of 1946. 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. If you have information on any of the persons . A mother's 30-year missions to uncover the truth about what happened to her son's in 1987 has led a federal judge to order an urgent review of several tightly guarded government . A week later, her body was found some10 miles south of the cemetery and about six miles east of Oldfield, in Christian County. She had been brutally murdered and left to die along a logging trail in the Ozark National Forest about 50 miles from where she was abducted. Uncovered: Unsolved Arkansas Murders The Oakland County Child Killer. Above the railroad tracks near Gurdon, a mysterious floating light has been spotted. Ive always felt that the phone call was tied to what had happened, Rider said. In the summer of 1989, she continued to work at the store while figuring out what she wanted to do, Georgia said. Arkansas Death Records Indexes, Obituaries and Cemeteries by County. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Police ruled Danas death a homicide, but would not confirm the exact cause of death. The body was found on Forest Service Road 1551, located off Franklin County 111, also known as Jethro Road. She was very sweet, but timid and scared to death of her boyfriend. Some of that gas, but not all,could be accounted for by a trip Blades made to Kmart in Springfield to buypresents. No suspect was ever identified. Pruett would soon confess to prosecutors and the media his guilt . The suspect had an alibiand police could not disprove it; The widow's eyewitness account didn't persuade Greene County prosecutors to file charges. 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. "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. 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. Missy's body was nude and placed near a headstone-shaped rock. And I was lucky enough to have her.. 100 Wayland Smith Drive , Uniontown, PA 15401 +1(724)437-7300 Currently Open. 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. But he was never charged in connection withAnstutz's murder. The 1998 murder of John Alan Moody is one of 10 unsolved cold cases listed on the Springfield Police Department website. 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. Arkansas, USA : home: last updates . The 25-year-old store clerk child was gunned down in an overnight robbery. Ten months after Blades vanished, Sheriff Lamb told the publiche doubted there was a crime. Wanted for Arrest. He weighed anestimated150 to 160 pounds. Blades' husband, Larry, and her parents Louis and Geraldine Horton took issue with the sheriff's comments. 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 . True Crime Garage - Melissa Witt Part 2 /// 162, True Crime Garage - Melissa Witt Part 1/// 161, Murder in the Hills, episode 1: The Unsolved Murder of Melissa Witt & The Abduction of Morgan Nick, Local Documentarians Develop New Leads in Melissa Witt Cold Case, 304 // Who Killed Melissa Witt? Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Fort Smith Police Department. Melissa asked her mom to borrow some money and told her she would pay her back with her next paycheck. William Scott Smith Unemployed cook, Salem, Ore. . Mary Ann calls Melissa's best friend, Tara to see if she has heard from Melissa. 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. She was running low on money, she was going to come out and have her mother buy her a hamburger. Records in the Missing Person File are retained indefinitely or until the individual is located or the record is canceled by the entering agency. Jenkins told Dateline. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! She had accidentally left something on, and the battery was dead. FPD Sergeant Tony Murphy said. Generally, cases are solved when the offender has been arrested and turned over to the court for prosecution. Both bodies were found in 1989 in different months in different parts of the hugeMark Twain National Forest, an area the size of Delaware. Unsolved Cases - Howard County Sheriff AR Records are retained indefinitely, unless removed by the entering agency. Swamp gas, pressurized quartz crystal, and headlight reflections have been possible explanations. 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. . Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Fort Smith is 1 in 90 and property crime is 1 in 18. Rose Harsent was stabbed to death on 1 June 1902, in Peasenhall, Suffolk, England by an unknown assailant. 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. ", More:Woman, 15 at the time, disputes account that turkey hunters found Ronnie Johnson's body in the woods. But could he have been responsible for another murder? Arkansas Gravestones has over 1.3 million gravestone photos. 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. Murdered: Melissa Witt | Fort Smith, AR | Uncovered She says her mothers abduction and murder affected the entire family. A documentary is being developed to cover Missy's case, and community advocates recently launched a billboard campaign to highlight her unsolved murder. It was only her second night on the job and first night alone. 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. For more on Vine's crimes, watch "Snapped Notorious: The River Valley Killer.". 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. The FBI considers eyewitness identification notoriously unreliable, the story stated. She was 75 years old. Her death differed from the attacks on the other three women, though: She was not beaten in the same way. Police learn the key witness in the stabbing death of a beloved aunt was an imposter; a return to the crime scene reveals a . Her body was found on September 16, 1989 in Benton County, Arkansas. Instead, we looked at the hard numbers from the FBI's last year of reporting. Furthermore, Swearingen was known to be in the area around the time Missy was abducted. Crime News in Fort Smith, AR | Southwest Times Record A friend of the family found the keys to the Chevy Impala in the field the man ran across. Her mother said no and before she left the house, she left Missy a note explaining that she loved her and that she would be at a local bowling alley later that afternoon if she wanted to come by and get something to eat. If they can come forward anonymously, they could contact Sebastian County Sheriffs Office, Rush said. If you have any information, you can call the River Valley crime stoppers at (479)-78-CRIME. Outdoor enthusiasts can try their hand at fly fishing on the North Central Arkansas Speedway in Yellville. From mafia to monsters, check out these 10 unsolved mysteries in Arkansas. 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. There are fifty states in the unsolved murders in arkansas near future, information on Arkansas construction project? In Arkansas you also have added to the unsolved murders in arkansas an unusual place to visit. Six people were on board the boat at the time of the crash, including 19-year-old Paul T. Murdaugh. 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. 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. That caused him to jerk the coat down. 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 . The Most Terrifying Unsolved Murders In Every State - YourTango in Library Science. I wanted a better life for him than I had. We were together all the time, Kristy said. Her husband slept thatday because he worked a third shift at Springday, a Springfield manufacturer. The girl's stepfather found him in the midst of the attack and tried to beat him to death, although a sheriff's deputy arrived and intervened, according to local Fox affiliate station KNWA. Unsolved murder of Melissa Witt in 1994. Arkansas area. Melissa drove a white 1995 Mitsubishi Mirage. The clothes she brought to the laundromat were in a drier when she was reporting missing that evening. Dig deeper into the stories you've heard before, and encounter many others you haven't, in ways that actually help. 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. Its time she gets answers, Patti Rush, president of REVAMP in Fort Smith, said while referring to the daughter of the missing woman. Melissa's mother, Mary Anne passes away. She was shy and didn't like to smile much; she was self-conscious about a crooked front tooth. The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) receives monthly NCIC reports concerning the Missing and Unidentified Person files. Fort Smith Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout Do you feel thoroughly thrilled and chilled? Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! MISSING PERSON ENTRY CATEGORIES Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. Melissa Witt was abducted from a bowling alley parking lot in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1994. Crime rate in Fort Smith, AR - City-Data The burglar tried to flee out the back but Anstutz confronted him and the two scuffled. Anstuz was a carpenter at Killian Construction in Springfield. Rancher Ernest Wilhelm discovered her skeletal remains on his farmtwo miles west of Ponce de Leon. Arkansas: Unsolved Murders In Arkansas - Blogger 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. The Missing Person Active/Expired Analysis and the Unidentified Person Active/Expired Analysis reports are available upon request. 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. 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. Missy had gone on home and changed her clothes, according to a neighbor who saw her come and go. The Bizarre History of a Long-Unsolved Murder - Blogger Making it tougher for investigators to gather evidence. There also was a younger male voice, also with a really strong Southern accent. However, Missy's clothes and personal belongings were missing from the scene and were never found. Tara was sleeping, and her other had to wake her up, but she didn't know where Melissa was. Blades was last seen at a Nixa store buying cookieson a cold Monday, Dec. 15, 1969. I can't stop thinking about this case because it's from my home town. However, they still have hope. Unsolved Ozarks murders include woman last seen mowing cemetery You may also email information to the Detectives, by clicking on the link. 2023 www.news-leader.com. Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950 (requires payment) at Ancestry/has about 594,000 listings. With over 600,000 acres of lakes and 9,700 miles of hiking trails. Details About Her Unsolved Murder And Why Police Haven't Caught The Killer. On July 25, 1989, Dana went over to her parents house to do some laundry, Georgia said. Because of the lack of leads, her murder is now considered to be a cold case. Georgia was at work at the time, but her husband Lawrence was at home. Most Dangerous Places in Arkansas The 10 Murder Capitals Of Arkansas For 2021 1. Arkansas murderers list | Murderpedia Murder of Arkansas woman still unsolved nearly 30 years later - KTHV Murder! Ron Davis, the reporter, interviewed one of them. He said: There are many possibilities in the death of Mr. Moody. The police looked at the good samaritan very closely before dismissing him as a suspect. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. Oklahoma men charged in alleged torture, murder of missing mom from More:Pokin Around: Inspired by a readers question, an investigation into the 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson. Friday, March 17th TV listings for MNT (KFSM-TV2) Fort Smith, AR. Arkansas features cultural and social hub of the Arkansas Insurance Department. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. Who killed Missy Witt? 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. A CLOSER LOOK: 4 Arkansas missing person cases. Gone but not forgotten She was always smiling and happy, Georgia told Dateline. But Melissa never came home, and Mary Anne grew worried. 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 . Steve Hamilton was a Springfield police lieutenant at the time. Some, however, have since theorized she was the victim of local serial killer Charles Ray Vine, also known as "The River Valley Killer.". Workman was 6 feet tall and 135 pounds. The burglar shot Anstutz twice in the abdomen. There is no waiting period before a person can be entered into the NCIC Missing Person File. This, however, only applies to their own. Georgia has now outlived her husband and both of children. 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. Should Smith, now 73, ever be releasedin Illinoishe would face a life sentence in Arkansas. *While use of the Unidentified Person File is increasing, it is not yet mandated by law to make entries into this file. Would you dare investigate what clawed monster lives in the deep? No suspect was ever identified. Photo credit: Kurt Wilson/ Missoulian. FORT SMITH, Ark. Next 10 CitiesHow we calculated the murder capitals of ArkansasWhile 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. Gun sales shot up for a time, and sales of alarm systems and guard dogs also rose as the murders went unsolved . 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. KHBS CNN Three people are dead and a police officer is recovering from being. This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. 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. The coat was corduroy and possibly fleece-lined. Example video title will go here for this video. 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.
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