Despite various theories, the case remains unsolved. 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. 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. 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 . Search dogs were used in the days following Danas disappearance, Sgt. Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. She had accidentally left something on, and the battery was dead. In addition, a homicide can be cleared if there is enough evidence to arrest and charge a suspect, but that suspect is dead. Kristen said she spent weekends driving to nearby states with her mother and her aunt, Georgia, to see if anyone had seen Dana. Rose Harsent was stabbed to death on 1 June 1902, in Peasenhall, Suffolk, England by an unknown assailant. Our Cases. While the city with highest number of murders period? We must note that this report is not an analysis of the effectiveness of local police departments. I wanted a better life for him than I had. Kristy said her family was struck with fear for what happened to Dana after that. Arkansas isnt always peaceful forests and serene waterfalls. 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()});});}. Swearingen denied murdering Missy Witt and was executed on January 27, 2009, for Melissa Trotter's murder. Two Hunters Person With Information / Witness, Larry SwearingenPerson With Information / Witness, Travis Dale CrouchPerson With Information / Witness, Unnamed older woman and younger manPerson With Information / Witness, Charles Ray VinesPerson With Information / Witness, Douglas Lawrence LoganPerson With Information / Witness, William Dillard TaylorPerson With Information / Witness, Tara LimbirdFriend / Acquaintance of Victim, Morning:Melissa and her mother have a disagreement over money. 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 Arkansas, Texas & Oklahoma Bureau of Vital Records were contacted in an attempt to locate a death certificate for Nona Young. No one noticed the blood splatter on her keys at the time. Larry Swearingen was looked at as a person of interest in this case. "Obviously, we have not come up with probablecause to charge anybody at this point. Family members bristled at those comments. There were no signs of struggle. He was convicted of the murder of Melissa Trotter who was killed in a very similar manner as Missy. All rights reserved. Her body was found a year later in the Ozark Mountains by trappers. 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. Melissa Witt was abducted from a bowling alley parking lot in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1994. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. "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. She was our joy. If anyone has information regarding any of the missing persons cases, please contact the Missing Persons Clearinghouse at 907-269-5038 (local), 800-478-9333 (toll free) or email dps.missing.persons@alaska.gov. FORT SMITH, Ark The Fort Smith Police Department is investigating a homicide in the 1300 block of Jackson St. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Ashley County Obituaries, 1965-present from the Ashley County Ledger - also includes cemetery listings. 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. The officer told Mary Ann that since Melissa is over 18, she can leave on her own accord. As time passes on, I am afraid my sons murderer or murderers will not be found.. 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. A trail of blood was later found in the parking lot. is 6.0%). The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is requesting your assistance in closing these open cases. Missy's body was nude and placed near a headstone-shaped rock. 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. She hadthree children. Harsent was six months pregnant at the time of her death. 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. 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. Most Dangerous Places in Arkansas The 10 Murder Capitals Of Arkansas For 2021 1. 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. CBI FOHVAMP . Blades' husband, Larry, and her parents Louis and Geraldine Horton took issue with the sheriff's comments. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Fort Smith is 1 in 90 and property crime is 1 in 18. It's been nearly 30 years since Pam Felkins was kidnapped from her job at an Arkansas video store, raped and then murdered -- but . 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 . The News-Leader contacted Kelle Ann Workman's brother, Marc. Interactive map produced by Yutao Chen. *While use of the Unidentified Person File is increasing, it is not yet mandated by law to make entries into this file. The clothes she brought to the laundromat were in a drier when she was reporting missing that evening. He was described as 5 feet 9 or 10 inches tall, a white man with a dark complexion andblack hair combed back. An autopsy could not determine cause of death; she was not shot and apparently was not raped. The Fort Smith Police Department investigated her disappearance as a missing person case until they found her body days later off Highway 71 and Treece Road. FORT SMITH, Ark. No one has ever been charged. 1. December 1, 1994, was a typical day for Missy. The FBI considers eyewitness identification notoriously unreliable, the story stated. IE 11 is not supported. First-time author Barbara Kemm-Highton spent three years working on herbook. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. Blades was last seen at a Nixa store buying cookieson a cold Monday, Dec. 15, 1969. 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. The Victims: Forty Unsolved Murders Since 1984 Nov 21, 1991 This is a list of 40 unsolved killings in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties since 1984, the year officials say the Green River. The unsolved 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson of West Plainsis but one of many in the Ozarks. The only clues left at the scene were a gold hoop earring, a crushed hair clip, her car keys, and pools of blood. Some, however, have since theorized she was the victim of local serial killer Charles Ray Vine, also known as "The River Valley Killer.". William Scott Smith Unemployed cook, Salem, Ore. . Jenkins told Dateline. 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. 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. Her body was found on September 16, 1989 in Benton County, Arkansas. Do you feel thoroughly thrilled and chilled? Book 2), Oklahoma Author Looking For Answers To Arkansas Cold Case. Both cases remain unsolved. You Decide. Danas parents lived in Hiwasse, Arkansas, a 10-minute drive from Centerton, and she visited them often, Georgia said. The Social Security Administration records do not . 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. And we have, every time we getany kind of lead whatsoever, run down that lead. Kristy told Dateline she and Dana were especially close since they were only a year apart. We have had several people tell us she was not getting along at home. "Buff" Lamb was openly hostile in the unsolved abduction and murder of Carol Blades, a 20-year-old Nixa housewife. The car shows signs of a struggle. The 2019 Fort Smith crime rate rose by 17% compared to 2018. 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 BridgeWay mental-health hospital, admitting it had wronged a 14-year-old patient who . Arkansas, USA : home: last updates . Jenkins told Dateline. Manage Settings Murder! Drugs is a possibility. For many years there has been one person of interest that has been interviewed and questioned; he is in prison in Illinois," Cole said, referring to Smith. In a letter published in the News-Leader they saidthe case should never be forgotten. On Christmas Day, 1970 a year and 10 days after Blades disappeared her body was found in Stone County, 12 miles away. 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. If you have any possible . She lived with her parents, who were farmers, about 1.5 miles from the cemetery. 6:30/6:40 pm:Witness reports hearing woman in distress in Bowling World Parking. Download the Uncovered Citizen Detective Guide to learn more about how thoughtful and safe online sleuthing. Any ties went to the larger city. Georgia was at work at the time, but her husband Lawrence was at home. According to science fiction writer Richard Shaver, the cave is one of the entrances to a subterranean civilization. The day she disappeared Blades was driving the couple's 1965 Chevy Impala. 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.". Did the River Valley Killer Have Other Victims? Georgia said that this was strange behavior from Dana. We were very young. Love Arkansas? She was running low on money, she was going to come out and have her mother buy her a hamburger. Jenkins added. He was caught in 2000 when he attempted to rape and kill a 16-year-old girl in her house. Though the fourth boy, Nils Wilhelm Gustafsson, survived the attack and lead a relatively normal life, he became a suspect in 2004. You may also email information to the Detectives, by clicking on the link. Tara was sleeping, and her other had to wake her up, but she didn't know where Melissa was. There were 'only' 26 cities in Arkansas where a city reported a murder to the FBI, meaning 36 places had no murder. Turner retired from law enforcement in 2020 after nearly 24 years with the Ozark Police Department. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Heultimately raped and murdered two elderly women in the River Valley, Arkansas area: Juanita Wofford in 1993, and Ruth Henderson in 1995. Resources. Melissa's mother assumed that her daughter was with friends that evening. A documentary is being developed to cover Missy's case, and community advocates recently launched a billboard campaign to highlight her unsolved murder. Juan Ignacio Blanco MALE murderers: . 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. 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. 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. Wanted for Arrest. Arkansas area. A pseudo-documentary, The Legend of Boggy Creek, highlights the towns monster lore. He said: There are many possibilities in the death of Mr. Moody. The rest of Danas family became alarmed when they still had not heard from her that night. We have never come up with anything positive.". Nobody should ever have to lose a child.. 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. Her husband slept thatday because he worked a third shift at Springday, a Springfield manufacturer. It simply states where murders occurred most frequently on an absolute and rate basis. Workman was 6 feet tall and 135 pounds. Home > Crime Info & Support > Crime Information Center > Community Information > Missing Persons Information. Three people died and an officer was stabbed in the neck in an incident in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Sunday. This, however, only applies to their own. I always wanted my son to be aman of his word. A week later, her body was found some10 miles south of the cemetery and about six miles east of Oldfield, in Christian County. Recent job growth is Negative. A family is still looking for answers after a Sebastian County womans murder case remains unsolved 42-years later. Contact. Arkansas Crime Information Center. Kemm-Highton saidin August she does not believe Smith killed Blades. Little Rock with 38. Arkansas law requires all missing persons to be entered immediately. ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) In 2020, Fayetteville has had seven homicides/murders; there were five in 2019, according to the Fayetteville police department (FPD). It was only her second. So, we grew up without her basically our whole lives, said Enseys youngest daughter Nikki Ensey. Police learn the key witness in the stabbing death of a beloved aunt was an imposter; a return to the crime scene reveals a . It was leaking oil badly; there was mud on the windshield; new scratches on both sides;and the antenna on the backwas bent. They were attributed to an alleged unidentified serial killer known as the Phantom of Texarkana or simply the Phantom Killer or Phantom Slayer. You just cant accept that your child is gone. Especially at the county levels.". Here's what is known about them SABRINA LYNN UNDERWOOD:. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. She was shy and didn't like to smile much; she was self-conscious about a crooked front tooth. 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. Western Arkansas was also on the circuit of back roads Clyde Barrow used to evade lawmen from other states. Certain details are withheld due to maintaining the integrity of the case, Sgt. 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. MISSING PERSON ENTRY CATEGORIES Her body was fully clothed. A patron had discovered her car keys and turned them in the night Witt disappeared. Making it tougher for investigators to gather evidence. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! 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. Each of these victims were submitted by families or law enforcement through our submission page. Jenkins. 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 Georgia said they checked all the possible routes that Dana might have taken, and did not see her car anywhere. The two masked killers used a handcart to wheel the store safe out of the building and fled in Reese's car. Rancher Ernest Wilhelm discovered her skeletal remains on his farmtwo miles west of Ponce de Leon. The number of homicides stood at 4 - a decrease of 5 compared to 2018. 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. She parked her car, and before she would even make it inside the bowling alley, investigators believe Missy was abducted from the parking lot. Over a month after she went missing, her body was found in the Ozark National Forest. A friend of the family found the keys to the Chevy Impala in the field the man ran across. Her mother declined to give it to her. It's been over 20 years and people are still looking for answers in the murder of Arkansas teenager, Melissa Witt. Mark Alan SMITH: 1966 - 1970: 4 - 12: Arkansas, USA : Richard Wayne SNELL: 1983 / 1984: 2: Arkansas, USA . Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. We use data, analytics, and a sense of humor to determine the dirt on places across the country. 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. Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950 (requires payment) at Ancestry/has about 594,000 listings. "I kind of bonded with her. People who live in Fort Smith generally consider the southeast part of the city to be the safest. in Library Science. 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. Image. Outreach. That caused him to jerk the coat down. Who Killed Dana Stidham? Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Melissa was hoping to become a dental hygienist. Anstuz was a carpenter at Killian Construction in Springfield. Lamb also told the paper it was best that the case be forgotten. The family alleged that the defendant failed to exercise ordinary care to provide for the safety of business. There could easily be a scientific explanation for this one, but do you really want to risk it to find out? Fort Smith shares its status with Greenwood as the county seat of Sebastian County. The keys were still in the ignition. She suffered a gunshot wound to her head. No arrests have been made in connection with her death. It was only after the car was impounded, some three days later, that it was dusted.". We aim to deliver infotainment about where you live that your real estate agent won't tell you. She was considering studying business at university. Melissa drove a white 1995 Mitsubishi Mirage. 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. This can be a post about an unsolved homicide, a missing person, an unidentified person, a wrongful conviction, or forensics. Four teenagers were camping on the shores of Lake Bodom in Finland on June 5, 1960, when an unknown group or individual murdered three of them with a knife and blunt instrument. A 1995 News-Leader story mentioned by name two suspects brothers who lived near the cemetery. Jane BERNARD (Unsolved Murder - 1966) - ON Lucas SHORTREED (Unsolved - 2008) - ON Tammy LAMONDIN (1999) - ON Marguerite CARDWELL (1973) - AB Bowmanville Jane Doe (2006) - ON Kimberly MCANDREW (1989) - NS Le Roi Francis LA FRANCE (1964) - B.C. Above the railroad tracks near Gurdon, a mysterious floating light has been spotted. If you have any updates in any of these cases please contact me. Although the region has its fair share of beauty and wonder, thats not all youll find there. Thank you! Captain Philip Pevehouse with the Sebastian Co. Sheriffs Office says customers begin making calls to the Fort Smith Police Department about the store not having a cashier. 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. Danas parents continued to drive around, but did not find their daughter. 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! If they can come forward anonymously, they could contact Sebastian County Sheriffs Office, Rush said. ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA) There are at least four unsolved missing person cases in North Central Arkansas since 1991, and all are women. Both tried to interview witnesses, but they could only speak with certain people. 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. The cases. Her body was placed near a headstone-like rock. Judge orders North Little Rock mental health facility to pay $2.5M in teen rape case. 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. Best Places To Raise A Family In Arkansas, Download The Entire Arkansas Ranking Data. You can find the link in the menu bar. Her car was found in the parking lot, but she was nowhere to be seen. Sheriff Lamb, who died at age 77 in 2001, was a former rodeo performer who as sheriff wasknown for straight talk and at times for roughing up those in custody. 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. 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?
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