A 1995 News-Leader story mentioned by name two suspects brothers who lived near the cemetery. . He said it was likely there was more than one assailant because Workman wasstrong. The monthly statistics are calculated to address the most frequently requested inquiries. However, Missy's clothes and personal belongings were missing from the scene and were never found. Missy's body was nude and placed near a headstone-shaped rock. Or if youd like more nightmare fuel, read about this haunted Arkansas attraction. Our Cases. Her body was placed near a headstone-like rock. 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. Also known as Missy, she was an honors student at Westark Community College in Fort Smith, Arkansas where she lived with her mother, Mary Ann. Finally, we averaged the two scores into an index: We 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. An autopsy could not determine cause of death; she was not shot and apparently was not raped. SHARES. While a murder just blocks or even a couple of towns away from your house would make anyone uneasy, in the long run, most likely, where you live is relatively safe. In addition, a homicide can be cleared if there is enough evidence to arrest and charge a suspect, but that suspect is dead. Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. 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. During the school year, Dana had been working after school and on weekends at Harps Food Store in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Cornerstone Mountain Retreat, near Jasper, visitors can walk for miles in pristine forests. 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. You can also report any information you may have concerning a crime and could receive a . Melissa drove a white 1995 Mitsubishi Mirage. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Here's what is known about them SABRINA LYNN UNDERWOOD:. At approximately 7:45 PM, a person found Melissa's car keys and turned them in at the front desk at Bowling World. 322 S. Main Street, Ste. However, with a period of no less than 90 days of community service. Should Smith, now 73, ever be releasedin Illinoishe would face a life sentence in Arkansas. Georgia said that in the days following Danas disappearance, there were several sighting of her daughter reported to police, but none proved true. 6:30/6:40 pm:Witness reports hearing woman in distress in Bowling World Parking. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Fort Smith is 1 in 90 and property crime is 1 in 18. Anstuz was a carpenter at Killian Construction in Springfield. But as she got ready to go to campus for class, she had a small disagreement with her Mom after asking her if she could borrow money. Oct. 18, 1981: An officer in Texas stops Pruett for speeding and locates a .38-caliber revolver and evidence from Larimer County. CBI FOHVAMP . But she never made it inside. DNA evidence then connected him to the other crimes. Melanie ETHIER (1996) - ON Julie FORTIER (Unsolved Murder - 1980) - ON Stefan SCHWARTZ (1960) - B.C. Crime in Arkansas. Melissa Witt was abducted from a bowling alley parking lot in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1994. About. I would like to see if they could maybe come for now. 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. Known as "The Babysitter", this unidentified serial killer is known to have murdered at least four children, possibly more, between 1976 and 1977. In 1973, legislation created the White River Monster Refuge. You Decide. 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. 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. The coat was corduroy and possibly fleece-lined. Image. Lamb also told the paper it was best that the case be forgotten. Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. 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. Both tried to interview witnesses, but they could only speak with certain people. 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. Compare Fort Smith crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout. Georgia has now outlived her husband and both of children. No suspect was ever identified. Juan Ignacio Blanco MALE murderers: . The Social Security Administration records do not . If I did, I would certainly honor your most understandable request.. And give us some information about what they actually told the police department back there in 1979, daughter Nikki Ensey told 5NEWS. There was not one sign of foul play, he said. Melissa was hoping to become a dental hygienist. Melissa is pronounced deceased. Arkansas Gravestones has over 1.3 million gravestone photos. He may have been lost at times, but who of us has not been lost? Tara was sleeping, and her other had to wake her up, but she didn't know where Melissa was. By James Pletcher Jr. Jul 25, 2013 . He was shot in the back and, police say, beaten. Faces of Unsolved Homicide - Project: Cold Case. Theres a seedy underbelly to almost everywhere, but knowing these dark occurrences happen in your own backyard is particularly nerve wracking. Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Fort Smith, AR. There is no required waiting period to report a missing person. The unemployment rate in Fort Smith is 4.6% (U.S. avg. Melissa's mother, Mary Anne passes away. Larry Swearingen was looked at as a person of interest in this case. A week later, her body was found some10 miles south of the cemetery and about six miles east of Oldfield, in Christian County. Police called the man a "suspect." 1. Both Rush and Ensey believe police can solve the case. There were 'only' 26 cities in Arkansas where a city reported a murder to the FBI, meaning 36 places had no murder. Double murder of Hot Springs mom, 5-year-old son remains unsolved Little Rock police urging people to be cautious of phone scam Police make arrest in fatal hit-and-run of Benton 13-year-old 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. Your anonymous call could lead to a $1,000 reward. The man told Davis "vigilantes" who suspected him of killing Workman had shot up his mobile home. They questioned him. The News-Leader contacted Kelle Ann Workman's brother, Marc. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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 There are fifty states in the unsolved murders in arkansas with the unsolved murders in arkansas of many states on their way to see a lot of perks, and when not to. Submit Your Loved One. At that point there was no reason to believe she was abducted. 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.. Cold case is finally cracked and the killer is identified. Records are retained indefinitely, unless removed by the entering agency. Danas parents continued to drive around, but did not find their daughter. Fort Smith jobs have decreased by 1.6%. Mark Alan SMITH: 1966 - 1970: 4 - 12: Arkansas, USA : Richard Wayne SNELL: 1983 / 1984: 2: Arkansas, USA . Did the River Valley Killer Have Other Victims? Denver Post . 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. On December 6, 1991, Austin, Texas was shell-shocked by a vicious crime. Shedid. A family is still looking for answers after a Sebastian County womans murder case remains unsolved 42-years later. When her shift ended, her car wouldnt start. While the city with highest number of murders period? "He was a brave, strong person," his mother told the News-Leader at the time. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. She says her mothers abduction and murder affected the entire family. Who Killed Dana Stidham? The body wasdecomposed. Contact. It simply states where murders occurred most frequently on an absolute and rate basis. The 2019 Fort Smith crime rate rose by 17% compared to 2018. 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.". 1992 Natasha Atchley White Female San Jacinto County Ranger Company A Re #: 160 1997 Harold William "Bill" Roland White Male I don't want to go to my grave not knowing, she told Dateline. Swamp gas, pressurized quartz crystal, and headlight reflections have been possible explanations. Both bodies were found in 1989 in different months in different parts of the hugeMark Twain National Forest, an area the size of Delaware. Murder! 6) Morton S. ROSENFELD (79C-083) LCSO-79-5249 DOD: 05/19/1979 . Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Cold Case Spotlight No answers 29 years after murder of Arkansas teen Dana Stidham Eighteen-year-old Dana Stidham was last seen on July 25, 1989 leaving a grocery store in Bella Visa,. Case of Missing Person: Nona Jean Young (Coleman) W/F, 02-26-51 . 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Melissa Witt was killed in Arkansas in 1994. 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. ", 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.". If you send me images or newspaper clippings I assume that I may use them on my website. Little Rock: 56 | North Little Rock: 23. She was 75 years old. She was just the kind of daughter people wish they had. 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 . There are fifty states in the unsolved murders in arkansas near future, information on Arkansas construction project? In December 1977 a man was arrested in connection to the death and questioned. 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 . Georgia said that this was strange behavior from Dana. Connect with Never Forgotten We were very young. Thank you! 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. They denied ever suggesting Lamb was involvedbut stood firm in their belief Lamb was incompetent as a criminal investigator. 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. Evening:Melissa arrives at Bowling World to have dinner with her mother but never makes it inside. Asking for witnesses who might have seen anything, no matter how small, to speak up. The 19-year-old had stopped by to get a hamburger from her mother, according to a 2021 report from local station THV11KTHV. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. She was always smiling and happy, Georgia told Dateline. Witt disappeared after arriving at Bowling World in Fort Smith on December 1, 1994. Updated: 6:31 AM CDT October 4, 2021. Timmons already had a kidnapping conviction on his record, having abducted and held an 11-year-old boy in 1976, KYTV reported. Police ruled Danas death a homicide, but would not confirm the exact cause of death. "They was just looking for anything to say, they was all upset.". Gun sales shot up for a time, and sales of alarm systems and guard dogs also rose as the murders went unsolved . Heultimately raped and murdered two elderly women in the River Valley, Arkansas area: Juanita Wofford in 1993, and Ruth Henderson in 1995. Her body was found on September 16, 1989 in Benton County, Arkansas. There were no signs of struggle. You can download the data here.We must note that this report is not an analysis of the effectiveness of local police departments. 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. A documentary is being developed to cover Missy's case, and community advocates recently launched a billboard campaign to highlight her unsolved murder. 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. She was really sweet, everybody liked her, she was friends with everybody.. A kind stranger came along and gave her a jump start. Diaz is president of the Vallejo chapter of. Fort Smith shares its status with Greenwood as the county seat of Sebastian County. 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? An FBI profiler also concluded Vine was not the killer, Rider said, according to Today In Fort Smith. Anyone with information about the murder of Melissa Witt is urged to contact the Fort Smith Police Department at [emailprotected], or by calling (479)709-5100. So we knew something happened to her, Danas cousin, Kristy, told Dateline. Arkansas Game and Fish Wildlife Biologist in the unsolved murders in arkansas to 2006. Blades had filled it with gas that day and investigators estimated 8 gallons were used. This is extremely important in cases involving a possible abduction, suspected foul play or an at-risk situation. For more on Vine's crimes, watch "Snapped Notorious: The River Valley Killer.". Ten months after Blades vanished, Sheriff Lamb told the publiche doubted there was a crime. 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? It was described in news storiesas "torn up." 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. Over a month after she went missing, her body was found in the Ozark National Forest. At that time, we didnt have Caller ID in the office; it was a voice recording on the machine we had at our Major Crimes Office. "Westill follow up on leads that come in from time to time," he said. "It's better that it not be brought up because the more something like that is bought up, the worse it gets," he said. On July 25, 1989, Dana went over to her parents house to do some laundry, Georgia said. Vine's disturbing and vicious rape and killing spree is further explored in theOxygenspecial "Snapped Notorious: The River Valley Killer." This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. 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. It was higher than in 97.1% U.S. cities. There is a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the people who killed . We aim to deliver infotainment about where you live that your real estate agent won't tell you. The day she disappeared Blades was driving the couple's 1965 Chevy Impala. Who killed Missy Witt? On July 25, 1989, 18-year-old Dana Stidham left her parents' home to pick up her father's . Lifestyle is a possibility that may play a role in his death.". Her body was fully clothed. On November 6, 2001, at approximately 11:00 AM, a woman arrived for an appointment at the Hair Gallery, located in Florence, Montana. Nobody should ever have to lose a child.. In 1979, the Fort Smith Police Department and the Sebastian County Sheriffs Office joined together to work on the case. You just cant accept that your child is gone. Arkansas law requires all missing persons to be entered immediately. Home > Crime Info & Support > Crime Information Center > Community Information > Missing Persons Information. The two masked killers used a handcart to wheel the store safe out of the building and fled in Reese's car. 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. Amy Anstutz saw the burglar in the house. And even the victim and the victims loved ones dont know who the other party iswe normally draw these dead ends, Pevehouse said. She hadthree children. From mafia to monsters, check out these 10 unsolved mysteries in Arkansas. Friday, March 17th TV listings for MNT (KFSM-TV2) Fort Smith, AR. Missy kept very busy with classes and her part-time job at a local dental clinic where she worked as a dental assistant. The two Thackers were sentenced to the Arkansas Department of Correction in August 2011 after pleading guilty in Sebastian County Circuit Court each to a charge of attempted capital murder in. 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. Blades was last seen at a Nixa store buying cookieson a cold Monday, Dec. 15, 1969. 1. At that point in the investigation, there was no reason to believe she was abducted. 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. At El Patron Mexican . There was no one in the store, and there should have been, said Pevehouse. Melissa and Tara have biology class together on Friday, and then had plans to hang out that evening. Lambblamed the Blades family for starting rumors that he was involved in the murder. Smith has also confessed to killing several women while a U.S. Marine in West Germanyin the 1960s. The FBI estimates the national clearance rate for murders is 61 percent. The 2019 crime rate in Fort Smith, AR is 559 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 2.1 times higher than the U.S. average. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Jenkins told Dateline. In 1999, high school seniors J.B. Hilton Green Beasley and Tracie Jean . He was active in the area at that time, and he had attacked another teenager in Arkansas. 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. Many conspiracies were prompted by the tragedy, including a (mildly far-fetched) drug smuggling cover-up connected to a former U.S. President. The keys were still in the ignition. "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. 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. 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. William Scott Smith Unemployed cook, Salem, Ore. . *This list consists of persons who have been reported missing to the Department of Public Safety under undetermined circumstances. Officers found a receipt from Phillips Foods in the back of the car, time-stamped 3:17 p.m. on the 25th, according to Sgt. 1995 Alma, Arkansas girl's disappearance featured in crime show on Hulu. Firefighters responded to reports of smoke rising from a yogurt shop on West Anderson Lane. The hunt for answers continues to this day, as the case remains open,THV11 KTHV reported. ", More:Woman, 15 at the time, disputes account that turkey hunters found Ronnie Johnson's body in the woods. Most Dangerous Places in Arkansas The 10 Murder Capitals Of Arkansas For 2021 1. Morning:Melissa goes to classes at Westark Community College, now the University of Arkansas Fort Smith (UAFS). More Cost of Living or Compare Fort Smith's Cost of Living. The News-Leader never named the suspect at the time, stating the name "will not be released unless formal charges are filed by the Green County prosecutor's office. Ron Davis, the reporter, interviewed one of them. The Oakland County Child Killer. No one noticed the blood splatter on her keys at the time. 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.