Melissa Witt was abducted from a bowling alley parking lot in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1994. Texarkana Moonlight Murders - Wikipedia I can't stop thinking about this case because it's from my home town. 100 Wayland Smith Drive , Uniontown, PA 15401 +1(724)437-7300 Currently Open. 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. The Social Security Administration records do not . Her logic is that since Smith admitted other slayings he would have admitted this one, as well, if he did it. This is a list of notable male murderers who committed their murders in Arkansas, USA. ", 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.". On November 6, 2001, at approximately 11:00 AM, a woman arrived for an appointment at the Hair Gallery, located in Florence, Montana. He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move. 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. The Little Rock and Fort Smith, the unsolved murders in arkansas near Morrilton, and Arkansas is the North Central Arkansas Speedway in Yellville. In a letter published in the News-Leader they saidthe case should never be forgotten. Her body was placed near a headstone-like rock. Known as "The Babysitter", this unidentified serial killer is known to have murdered at least four children, possibly more, between 1976 and 1977. Over a month after she went missing, her body was found in the Ozark National Forest. Jenkins told Dateline. Her death differed from the attacks on the other three women, though: She was not beaten in the same way. Jenkins told Dateline. Little Rock: 56 | North Little Rock: 23. The unemployment rate in Fort Smith is 4.6% (U.S. avg. We were together all the time, Kristy said. Get more stories delivered right to your email. 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. More:'I want justice for my father': An investigation into the 1989 death of Ronnie Johnson. 5 The Florence Salon Murders. Melissa and Tara have biology class together on Friday, and then had plans to hang out that evening. He was elected sheriff in 1968; lost in 1972 (some say because of the unsolved Blades murder); and re-elected in 1976 and 1980. This can be a post about an unsolved homicide, a missing person, an unidentified person, a wrongful conviction, or forensics. 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. Two people witness Melissa's abduction. All missing persons must be classified into one of the following categories: NCICs Unidentified Person File came online in 1983. Suspected or convicted serial killers in Washington - Seattlepi In addition, while incarcerated in Illinois he pleaded guilty in March 1971 to killing Obie Fay Ash, 32, of Cotter, Arkansas. Melissa Witt was abducted from a bowling alley parking lot in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1994. 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. 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. Archive statistics are available upon request. And I was lucky enough to have her.. There is no required waiting period to report a missing person. Melissa Witt Case: Did River Valley Killer Charles Vine Murder Her 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. I don't want to go to my grave not knowing, she told Dateline. You may also email information to the Detectives, by clicking on the link. The state has a surprising number of bone chilling tales, from cold cases to urban legends. Her keys had been picked up and turned into the front desk of the bowling alley; they were found to have traces of blood on them. "I kind of bonded with her. "We loved him dearly.". So we wanted to get the facts straight and dug into the FBI crime data in order to identify the places with the most murders and the highest murder rates per capita in Arkansas. Bowling World didnt have security cameras in the parking lot, and though some convenience stores in the vicinity did have cameras, they were too far away from the crime scene to be useful. Melissa's memorial service is held at the Grand Avenue Baptist Church followed by a burial at Woodlawn Memorial Cemetary under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home, 10:00 am:Wal-Mart dedicates their missing persons board to Melissa Witt. Some, however, have since theorized she was the victim of local serial killer Charles Ray Vine, also known as "The River Valley Killer.". The most notorious unsolved crime in every state - Insider Fort Smith (Sebastian County) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas 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. 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. Most Dangerous Places in Arkansas The 10 Murder Capitals Of Arkansas For 2021 1. 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. Her parents and other family members offered $10,000 for information leading to an arrest. in Library Science. Murder Capitals Of Arkansas For 2021 - RoadSnacks The Murders of Kevin Ives and Don Henry: The True Story of Arkansas Her husband slept thatday because he worked a third shift at Springday, a Springfield manufacturer. Our Cases. But one suspect is alive and living in an Illinois prison. He weighed anestimated150 to 160 pounds. Fort Smith, Arkansas: 3 dead and police officer stabbed in the neck - CNN 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. When her shift ended, her car wouldnt start. There were 'only' 26 cities in Arkansas where a city reported a murder to the FBI, meaning 36 places had no murder. The following persons have active warrants for their arrest. Soon after the shooting, the suspect went to prison for two years for other burglary convictions. Sure, that's fiction. Ten months after Blades vanished, Sheriff Lamb told the publiche doubted there was a crime. 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. The only clues left at the scene were a gold hoop earring, a crushed hair clip, her car keys, and pools of blood. There are fifty states in the unsolved murders in arkansas near future, information on Arkansas construction project? ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) In 2020, Fayetteville has had seven homicides/murders; there were five in 2019, according to the Fayetteville police department (FPD). Friday, March 17th TV listings for MNT (KFSM-TV2) Fort Smith, AR. The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) receives monthly NCIC reports concerning the Missing and Unidentified Person files. No one has been convicted of her murder, and there is currently a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for Missy's abduction and murder. He was active in the area at that time, and he had attacked another teenager in Arkansas. The burglar shot Anstutz twice in the abdomen. Furthermore, Swearingen was known to be in the area around the time Missy was abducted. 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. Cornerstone Mountain Retreat, near Jasper, visitors can walk for miles in pristine forests. Arkansas Death Records Indexes, Obituaries and Cemeteries by County. Theres a seedy underbelly to almost everywhere, but knowing these dark occurrences happen in your own backyard is particularly nerve wracking. Missy had gone on home and changed her clothes, according to a neighbor who saw her come and go. Murderpedia . We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. Unsolved Cases . 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. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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. Six people were on board the boat at the time of the crash, including 19-year-old Paul T. Murdaugh. RELATED: Details About The Murder Of Arkansas Teen Dana Stidham And Why Police Have Yet To Find Her Killer Alabama. 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. It's been over 20 years and people are still looking for answers in the murder of Arkansas teenager, Melissa Witt. More Cost of Living or Compare Fort Smith's Cost of Living. You can also report any information you may have concerning a crime and could receive a . A trail of blood was later found in the parking lot. Kemm-Highton saidin August she does not believe Smith killed Blades. 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. Crime News | Little Rock, Arkansas | thv11.com You can find the link in the menu bar. Fort Smith shares its status with Greenwood as the county seat of Sebastian County. Search dogs were used in the days following Danas disappearance, Sgt. Best Places To Raise A Family In Arkansas, Download The Entire Arkansas Ranking Data. Online Arkansas Death Indexes, Records & Obituaries Because of the lack of leads, her murder is now considered to be a cold case. All rights reserved. It's been over 20 years and people are still looking for answers in the murder of Arkansas teenager, Melissa Witt. If a manila folder image appears, this means you are at the beginning of the case file. 322 S. Main Street, Ste. They made this determination based on evidence of a struggle around her car, including blood found in the parking lot, as well as Missy's keys and an earring found nearby. She was our joy. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Under the Search tab, select the Card Catalog and look for the title "Fort Smith, Arkansas, Criminal Case Files, 1866-1900." Select "view original image" to be taken to the case file folder. A strange phone call made to police a day or two prior to the discovery of the body helps support this theory, he said. The legend is that a railroad workers head was severed by an oncoming train. 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 . 6) Morton S. ROSENFELD (79C-083) LCSO-79-5249 DOD: 05/19/1979 . There were no signs of struggle. 10 Unsolved Mysteries In Arkansas - OnlyInYourState 6:30/6:40 pm:Witness reports hearing woman in distress in Bowling World Parking. Murder! Did the River Valley Killer Have Other Victims? 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.". The BridgeWay mental-health hospital, admitting it had wronged a 14-year-old patient who . Kristy said her family was struck with fear for what happened to Dana after that. In 1979, Lois Ensey was abducted while working at J's Night Owl Grocery off Highway 271 in Fort Smith. 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 . Specifically, we analyzed the FBI's Uniform Crime Report which summarizes the number of murders that may happen in each city per year.We only looked every single city in Arkansas for which FBI data was available for the most recent FBI Crime In The United States. Arkansas Gravestones has over 1.3 million gravestone photos. I always wanted my son to be aman of his word. "Westill follow up on leads that come in from time to time," he said. Generally, cases are solved when the offender has been arrested and turned over to the court for prosecution. A documentary is being developed to cover Missy's case, and community advocates recently launched a billboard campaign to highlight her unsolved murder. Crime rate in Fort Smith, AR - City-Data Sort All Cases By: Company Area | Male | Female | County | Year | Last Name Results: 13 Record (s) Found. Outreach. 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. But he was never charged in connection withAnstutz's murder. Crime News in Fort Smith, AR | Southwest Times Record The cause of death is listed as"homicidal violence.". No circumstance has a more devastating effect on a family than the unknown whereabouts of a loved one. The murders of Greg Collins, Daniel Bearden, James Milan, Jordan Kettleson, and Mike Samples remain unsolved. He said: There are many possibilities in the death of Mr. Moody. She says her mothers abduction and murder affected the entire family. It was only her second. If they can come forward anonymously, they could contact Sebastian County Sheriffs Office, Rush said. In 1965 it was 90 percent. Specifically, we analyzed the FBI's Uniform Crime Report which summarizes the number of murders that may happen in each city per year. Police called the man a "suspect." On a daily basis, JC. Little Rock with 38. She was really sweet, everybody liked her, she was friends with everybody.. Melissa's mother, Mary Anne passes away. Shedid. An old wives tale is one thing, but once physical evidence gets involved these stories become especially chilling. 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. 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 Western Arkansas was also on the circuit of back roads Clyde Barrow used to evade lawmen from other states. Mark Alan SMITH: 1966 - 1970: 4 - 12: Arkansas, USA : Richard Wayne SNELL: 1983 / 1984: 2: Arkansas, USA . Two Hells Angels held in quadruple killing - SFGATE An autopsy could not determine cause of death; she was not shot and apparently was not raped. 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. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. 1995 Alma, Arkansas girl's disappearance featured in crime show on Hulu. FORT SMITH, Ark The Fort Smith Police Department is investigating a homicide in the 1300 block of Jackson St. They called around to family members and Danas friends, but no one had heard from her that day. She was 75 years old. Faces of Unsolved Homicide - Project: Cold Case Her car was found in the parking lot, but she was nowhere to be seen. 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! The rest of Danas family became alarmed when they still had not heard from her that night. Melissa is still not home. 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. Best Places to Live in Fort Smith, Arkansas Three years after her murder, Melissa's family, the Parnells' filed a suit against the C N Bowl Corp. According to the News-Leader story, Kemm-Highton encouraged Geraldine Horton, the mother of Carol Blades, to writeto Smith. Murder! 18 unsolved slayings in this area in five years Evening:Melissa arrives at Bowling World to have dinner with her mother but never makes it inside. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. You just cant accept that your child is gone. No one else has been. The rate of crime in Fort Smith is 55.87 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. His name was never released. 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. On July 10, 1995, the News-Leader ran a story by reporter Robert Keyes with the headline "Killing 'solved' but never tried." That caused him to jerk the coat down. Certain details are withheld due to maintaining the integrity of the case, Sgt. But we're certain he got the idea from some of the real life eye witness reports. 2020 Homicides in Little Rock and North Little Rock Blades was last seen at a Nixa store buying cookieson a cold Monday, Dec. 15, 1969. Details About Her Unsolved Murder And Why Police Haven't Caught The Killer. The Missing Person Active/Expired Analysis and the Unidentified Person Active/Expired Analysis reports are available upon request. In 1999, high school seniors J.B. Hilton Green Beasley and Tracie Jean . They pointed out that the couple had recently received word they were approved to adopt a child and earlier that day Carol Blades had bought Christmas presents and set up the tree at home. A 1995 News-Leader story mentioned by name two suspects brothers who lived near the cemetery. Once inside, the responders found the brutalized bodies of four teenage girls-Amy Ayers, Jennifer Harbison, Sarah Harbison and Eliza Thomas. 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. Dana's brother died in 2015. Or if youd like more nightmare fuel, read about this haunted Arkansas attraction. Manage Settings It was leaking oil badly; there was mud on the windshield; new scratches on both sides;and the antenna on the backwas bent. So we knew something happened to her, Danas cousin, Kristy, told Dateline. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - Oklahoma City, OK There is a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the people who killed . 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. Cold Case Unsolved Homicides These are the places in Arkansas where people were killed most often, according to the latest FBI numbers. Case of Missing Person: Nona Jean Young (Coleman) W/F, 02-26-51 . 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. And even the victim and the victims loved ones dont know who the other party iswe normally draw these dead ends, Pevehouse said. We understand if you have trouble getting to sleep tonight, these unsolved mysteries certainly shook us to the core. 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. The FBI considers eyewitness identification notoriously unreliable, the story stated. Melanie ETHIER (1996) - ON Julie FORTIER (Unsolved Murder - 1980) - ON Stefan SCHWARTZ (1960) - B.C. Chasing Chains, LLC. William Gardiner, a preacher of the Primitive Methodist Chapel, was suspected due . Project: Cold Case is a not-for-profit organization with an ambitious goal of publicizing all unsolved homicides in the United States while linking information, families, and law enforcement, and ultimately, helping to solve cold cases. Tragically, we'll never know who murdered these young men. Fort Myers unsolved murders: 9 SWFL cold cases from the 1990s
unsolved murders fort smith arkansas
