Here's The Most Harrowing Unsolved Murder From Every State 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 rate of crime in Fort Smith is 55.87 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. "Buff" Lamb was openly hostile in the unsolved abduction and murder of Carol Blades, a 20-year-old Nixa housewife. 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. Once inside, the responders found the brutalized bodies of four teenage girls-Amy Ayers, Jennifer Harbison, Sarah Harbison and Eliza Thomas. The body wasdecomposed. The real mystery is why it took so long for someone to decide "hey maybe we should bury this guy.". Kemm-Highton saidin August she does not believe Smith killed Blades. After Vine's arrest, the possibility he killed Witt was considered. 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. Over a month after she went missing, her body was found in the Ozark National Forest. Her clothing was missing from the crime scene, including her jeans, undergarments, purse, one earring, and her Mickey Mouse watch. Image. Join a singles club and meet with great singles. They died never knowing what happened to Dana. Both tried to interview witnesses, but they could only speak with certain people. Georgia said they checked all the possible routes that Dana might have taken, and did not see her car anywhere. Man arrested in 2004 Arkansas murder case - KHBS Blades had filled it with gas that day and investigators estimated 8 gallons were used. Arkansas Death Records Indexes, Obituaries and Cemeteries by County. Westark Community College/University Of Arkansas, Afternoon:Melissa has lunch with a friend, She met her friend at Chick-fil-A which was just down the road from the college, Afternoon:Melissa works at the dentist office in the afternoon, She was employed part time as a dental assistant, 5:00 PM:Melissa's car doesn't start after leaving work. Instead, we looked at the hard numbers from the FBI's last year of reporting. And, they asked, who leaves their clothes in a drier prior to running off? PDF National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - Oklahoma City, OK 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. 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. Friday, March 17th TV listings for MNT (KFSM-TV2) Fort Smith, AR. FORT SMITH, Ark. Here's what is known about them SABRINA LYNN UNDERWOOD:. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. The Most Terrifying Unsolved Murders In Every State - YourTango 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. Murder and mystery in South Carolina: A timeline of the Murdaugh - CNN On July 25, 1989, Dana went over to her parents house to do some laundry, Georgia said. It is our seventh time ranking the most places with the most murders per capita in Arkansas and is updated for 2021. 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.". Crime rate in Fort Smith, AR - City-Data It was leaking oil badly; there was mud on the windshield; new scratches on both sides;and the antenna on the backwas bent. Generally, cases are solved when the offender has been arrested and turned over to the court for prosecution. With so many things you can choose from. 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. All rights reserved. You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website. Steve Hamilton was a Springfield police lieutenant at the time. Most Dangerous Places in Arkansas The 10 Murder Capitals Of Arkansas For 2021 1. Ten months after Blades vanished, Sheriff Lamb told the publiche doubted there was a crime. William Miller is a member of that group. Although not officially a suspect in any Washington . The only clues left at the scene were a gold hoop earring, a crushed hair clip, her car keys, and pools of blood. 5 The Florence Salon Murders. Judge To Review Clinton 1987 Murder Of 2 Arkansas Boys - News Punch Both girls were 19 at the time of their death, and both were murdered and found in large forests in Arkansas. A trail of blood was later found in the parking lot. If you have any information regarding the missing persons or homicide victims on this website, please contact the Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit at 727-582-6153 or by email at jsuessiv@pcsonet.com. Melissa drove a white 1995 Mitsubishi Mirage. FORT SMITH, Ark. It was only her second. The Murders of Kevin Ives and Don Henry: The True Story of Arkansas Murdered: Melissa Witt | Fort Smith, AR | Uncovered 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 . Vine's disturbing and vicious rape and killing spree is further explored in theOxygenspecial "Snapped Notorious: The River Valley Killer." In Arkansas you also have added to the unsolved murders in arkansas an unusual place to visit. Her body was placed near a headstone-like rock. If you have any information on the circumstances surrounding Dana Stidhams death, please contact the Benton County Sheriffs Office at (479) 271-1008 or the Bella Vista Police Department at (479) 855-3771 at or via email at info@bellavistaar.gov. Cold Case Unsolved Homicides She was running low on money, she was going to come out and have her mother buy her a hamburger. 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson of West Plains, Pokin Around: Inspired by a readers question, an investigation into the 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson, 'I want justice for my father': An investigation into the 1989 death of Ronnie Johnson, Woman, 15 at the time, disputes account that turkey hunters found Ronnie Johnson's body in the woods, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. He said it was likely there was more than one assailant because Workman wasstrong. Aaron Smith Found Murdered on Serene Campground, A First Look at the Murder of Aaron Smith. 1995 Alma, Arkansas girl's disappearance featured in crime show on Hulu. The coat was corduroy and possibly fleece-lined. Kristy said her family was struck with fear for what happened to Dana after that. 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 burglar tried to flee out the back but Anstutz confronted him and the two scuffled. Anyone with information that can help solve this case is asked to call the Cold Case Squad at 816-234-5136. DNA evidence then connected him to the other crimes. The News-Leader contacted Kelle Ann Workman's brother, Marc. Ron Davis, the reporter, interviewed one of them. 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. He may have been lost at times, but who of us has not been lost? . Unsolved Cases - Howard County Sheriff AR Danas father passed away 10 years after his daughter was killed. Catching a killer: Shootings stir up memories of '81 murders A kind stranger came along and gave her a jump start. It was only after the car was impounded, some three days later, that it was dusted.". Rose Harsent, victim of the Peasenhall murder. She reported her daughter missing. Theres a seedy underbelly to almost everywhere, but knowing these dark occurrences happen in your own backyard is particularly nerve wracking. No arrests have been made in connection with her death. In 1979, the Fort Smith Police Department and the Sebastian County Sheriffs Office joined together to work on the case. Steve Whitney, then Christian County sheriff, said it was likely her body was tossed down an embankment, where itcame to rest in water up to her waist. We must note that this report is not an analysis of the effectiveness of local police departments. Arkansas is famous for many homeowners. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Should Smith, now 73, ever be releasedin Illinoishe would face a life sentence in Arkansas. Danas personal belongings, however, were not inside the car. Research Guide to the Criminal Case Files of Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1860 The many faces -- and places -- of murder suspect Travis Couch, Fort Smith Police Putting Fresh Set of Eyes on 1994 Murder Investigation, Death Row Inmate Sought for Questioning In Melissa Witts Murder, Murder, Kidnapping Frustrating Cases for Law, Melissa Witts Body Found 22 Years Ago; Investigation Still Open, Cold Case: The Murder of Melissa "Missy" Witt, Wal-Mart to Dedicate Their Missing Persons Board To Melissa Witt, Fort Smith Teen's Body Found Near Turner Bend. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! On July 25, 1989, 18-year-old Dana Stidham left her parents' home to pick up her father's . According to private investigators, it was her second night on the job and her first time working solo. Gun sales shot up for a time, and sales of alarm systems and guard dogs also rose as the murders went unsolved . There were 'only' 26 cities in Arkansas where a city reported a murder to the FBI, meaning 36 places had no murder. 322 South Main Streeet, Suite 615 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-2222 / Visit Website. Two people witness Melissa's abduction. 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. Melissa Witt was killed in Arkansas in 1994. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. ", Dave Bowden, a corporal with Springfield police at the time, said in a news release:"Physical evidence gathered at and near the scene will be examined over the next several days to determine if the suspect can be linked to the crime. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. 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. Georgia said that in the days following Danas disappearance, there were several sighting of her daughter reported to police, but none proved true. The Files CANADA UNSOLVED 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. Though the fourth boy, Nils Wilhelm Gustafsson, survived the attack and lead a relatively normal life, he became a suspect in 2004. Howard County Sheriff's Department. Both bodies were found in 1989 in different months in different parts of the hugeMark Twain National Forest, an area the size of Delaware. 1. Murder! No suspect was ever identified. Police ruled Danas death a homicide, but would not confirm the exact cause of death. The officer told Mary Ann that since Melissa is over 18, she can leave on her own accord. 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. Arkansas law requires all missing persons to be entered immediately. 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. Kentucky detective investigating possible connection between 2011 - MSN The murders remain unsolved. The car shows signs of a struggle. Rose Harsent was stabbed to death on 1 June 1902, in Peasenhall, Suffolk, England by an unknown assailant. The architectural style is predominantly brick-oriented with many people to move, and land is worth in the unsolved murders in arkansas of your license. This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. You can download the data here. If I did, I would certainly honor your most understandable request.. The 2019 Fort Smith crime rate rose by 17% compared to 2018. No circumstance has a more devastating effect on a family than the unknown whereabouts of a loved one. Melissa Witt was abducted from the parking lot of Bowling World in the evening. Ive always felt that the phone call was tied to what had happened, Rider said. Details About Her Unsolved Murder And Why Police Haven't Caught The Killer. 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. Workman was 6 feet tall and 135 pounds. I don't want to go to my grave not knowing, she told Dateline. It simply states where murders occurred most frequently on an absolute and rate basis. He chose not to cooperate and therefore remains a suspect in this murder. The Arkansas, Texas & Oklahoma Bureau of Vital Records were contacted in an attempt to locate a death certificate for Nona Young. She hadthree children. Missy kept very busy with classes and her part-time job at a local dental clinic where she worked as a dental assistant. Furthermore, Swearingen was known to be in the area around the time Missy was abducted. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Because of the lack of leads, her murder is now considered to be a cold case. Each of these victims were submitted by families or law enforcement through our submission page. 29 Unsolved Murders That Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine - The Lineup Fort Smith jobs have decreased by 1.6%. Mary Ann calls Melissa's best friend, Tara to see if she has heard from Melissa. *This list consists of persons who have been reported missing to the Department of Public Safety under undetermined circumstances. Compare Fort Smith crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout. He was active in the area at that time, and he had attacked another teenager in Arkansas. She was found not guilty in 2015. As of now, the Sebastian County Sheriffs Office says they havent received any new leads on this case in quite a long while, but if they do, they will immediately investigate. Georgia has now outlived her husband and both of children. Crime in Arkansas - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 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. If you have any updates in any of these cases please contact me. Lamb also told the paper it was best that the case be forgotten. Melissa Witt was a hardworking and ambitious, 19-year-old college student. In 1965 it was 90 percent. 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. Arkansas Crime Information Center. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950 (requires payment) at Ancestry/has about 594,000 listings. She was 75 years old. Swamp gas, pressurized quartz crystal, and headlight reflections have been possible explanations. 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. 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. FPD Sergeant Tony Murphy said. Contact. That humming sound one hears is that of healthy baby bears, nursing to their little heart's content. On November 6, 2001, at approximately 11:00 AM, a woman arrived for an appointment at the Hair Gallery, located in Florence, Montana. Faces of Unsolved Homicide - Project: Cold Case The suspect had passed a polygraph test and told Davis that when he had talked about killing Workman he was "joking.". Horton told Smith: My only purpose in writing is to ask that if you did abduct and kill Carol, that you grant me the peace of mind to know what happened., Smith responded: I give you my word, which is about all I have anymore that is good, that I havent the answers to the questions you seek. If she was going to be late, she always called.. Her parents and other family members offered $10,000 for information leading to an arrest. Melissa and her mother have a disagreement over money, Melissa goes to classes at Westark Community College, now the University of Arkansas Fort Smith (UAFS), Melissa works at the dentist office in the afternoon, Melissa's car doesn't start after leaving work, Melissa arrives at Bowling World to have dinner with her mother but never makes it inside, Witness reports hearing woman in distress in Bowling World Parking, Melissa's body is found by two trappers in the Ozark National Forest, Wal-Mart dedicates their missing persons board to Melissa Witt, 27 y.o.man,charged w/kidnapping,raping,& killing 19 y.o.college student gal in TX in 1998,is prime suspect in unsolved 1994 college gal killing in AR, Parnell v. C & N Bowl Corp., 954 F. Supp. William Scott Smith Unemployed cook, Salem, Ore. . Fort Smith Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout Melissa was hoping to become a dental hygienist. But she never made it inside. During the school year, Dana had been working after school and on weekends at Harps Food Store in Bella Vista, Arkansas. When her shift ended, her car wouldnt start. This is a list of notable male murderers who committed their murders in Arkansas, USA. If they can come forward anonymously, they could contact Sebastian County Sheriffs Office, Rush said. It simply states where murders occurred most frequently on an absolute and rate basis. In a May 13, 1990, News-Leader story, Whitney said: I dont think this was a planned-out deal, other than they saw her and made a quick plan, he says. 2023 www.news-leader.com. She says her mothers abduction and murder affected the entire family. OPEN/ UNSOLVED CASES . He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks. Continue with Recommended Cookies. He was shot in the back and, police say, beaten. 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. The FBI estimates the national clearance rate for murders is 61 percent. A friend of the family found the keys to the Chevy Impala in the field the man ran across. 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. 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. Missy's body was nude and placed near a headstone-shaped rock. The 25-year-old store clerk child was gunned down in an overnight robbery. RoadSnacks is reader-supported. Manage Settings Dana had been very well-liked, her cousin Kristy said she didnt have any problems with anyone. Certain details are withheld due to maintaining the integrity of the case, Sgt. Three people died and an officer was stabbed in the neck in an incident in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Sunday. The Bizarre History of a Long-Unsolved Murder - Blogger Feeling bad, her mother left her a note asking her to join her for a burger later at Bowling World. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Your anonymous call could lead to a $1,000 reward. Morning:Melissa goes to classes at Westark Community College, now the University of Arkansas Fort Smith (UAFS). "Obviously, we have not come up with probablecause to charge anybody at this point. Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. if(window.innerWidth<700){ezoicSiteSpeed(jQuery(document),String(/documentReady/).substring(1).slice(0,-1),String(/jQuery-document-dot-ready/).substring(1).slice(0,-1),function($){$("#skip_expand").html("(Expand+)");$("#toc ul").css("display","none");$("#skip_expand").on("click",function(){$("#toc ul").toggle()});$("#toc h3").on("click",function(){$("#toc ul").toggle()});});}. If a manila folder image appears, this means you are at the beginning of the case file. Never Forgotten | Arkansas Missing Persons Campaign "It was the family that accused me of that," Lamb told the News-Leader in December 1980. His name was never released. Search dogs were used in the days following Danas disappearance, Sgt. Tara Strozier, a 40-year-old from Fort Smith, Arkansas, was last seen alive about 20 miles away across state lines in Cameron, Oklahoma, on July 17, according to the Fort Smith Police Department . Jenkins told Dateline. Ashley County Obituaries, 1965-present from the Ashley County Ledger - also includes cemetery listings. He was described as 5 feet 9 or 10 inches tall, a white man with a dark complexion andblack hair combed back. 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. Episode 34 - Arkansas - Who Killed Melissa Witt? If you want to get cheaper rates on your hand. He was caught in 2000 when he attempted to rape and kill a 16-year-old girl in her house. The Safest and Most Dangerous Places in Fort Smith, AR: Crime Maps and Get more stories delivered right to your email. An autopsy could not determine cause of death; she was not shot and apparently was not raped. Western Arkansas was also on the circuit of back roads Clyde Barrow used to evade lawmen from other states. She said that in 2003 detectives from Missouri went to Illinois to interview Smith, whodenied ever being in Nixa. 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. After stopping at the store, Blades went to a Nixa laundromat. 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. Police learn the key witness in the stabbing death of a beloved aunt was an imposter; a return to the crime scene reveals a . Example video title will go here for this video. A family is still looking for answers after a Sebastian County womans murder case remains unsolved 42-years later. Melissa is pronounced deceased. Vine himself repeatedly denied having anything to do with Witt's murder, even after his conviction, local outlet Today In Fort Smith reported in 2020. 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. Tragically, we'll never know who murdered these young men. Chasing Chains, LLC. The body was discovered by a Conco employee. No one has ever been charged. Interactive map produced by Yutao Chen. BOONE COUNTY, Ky. - Cold case detectives at the Boone County Sheriff's Office in Kentucky are investigating any possible connection between an unsolved double murder in 2011 and the 2017 .