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But could he have been responsible for another murder? WEATHER & CLIMATE 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. They also tried search warrants and subpoenas for information but had no luck. "Obviously, we have not come up with probablecause to charge anybody at this point. 2023 www.news-leader.com. Resources. 1. They died never knowing what happened to Dana. Kristy said her family was struck with fear for what happened to Dana after that. Evening:Melissa arrives at Bowling World to have dinner with her mother but never makes it inside. Rose Harsent was stabbed to death on 1 June 1902, in Peasenhall, Suffolk, England by an unknown assailant. He loved tinkering with cars, being outdoors and being a loyal friend. 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. 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. That left us with 26 cities to rank. Juan Ignacio Blanco MALE murderers: . 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. Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Fort Smith Police Department. Contact. The family alleged that the defendant failed to exercise ordinary care to provide for the safety of business. Updated: 6:31 AM CDT October 4, 2021. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is requesting your assistance in closing these open cases. Western Arkansas was also on the circuit of back roads Clyde Barrow used to evade lawmen from other states. With so many things you can choose from. She lived with her parents, who were farmers, about 1.5 miles from the cemetery. I always wanted my son to be aman of his word. Above the railroad tracks near Gurdon, a mysterious floating light has been spotted. She was later found dead by trappers, who spotted her by a logging trail in the Ozark National Forest, about 50 miles from where she was abducted, the KTHV reported. Though the fourth boy, Nils Wilhelm Gustafsson, survived the attack and lead a relatively normal life, he became a suspect in 2004. Fort Smith shares its status with Greenwood as the county seat of Sebastian County. Records in the Missing Person File are retained indefinitely or until the individual is located or the record is canceled by the entering agency. The cemetery is 13 miles northwest of Ava in Douglas County. A patron had discovered her car keys and turned them in the night Witt disappeared. 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. 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. We have never come up with anything positive.". It's been over 20 years and people are still looking for answers in the murder of Arkansas teenager, Melissa Witt. 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. Little Rock with 38. Lawrence Timmons, 65, was indicted for Smith's murder while he was in jail on unrelated charges, a Lawrence County Sheriff's Office release stated. The unemployment rate in Fort Smith is 4.6% (U.S. avg. Judge orders North Little Rock mental health facility to pay $2.5M in teen rape case. 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. She was just the kind of daughter people wish they had. Records are retained indefinitely, unless removed by the entering agency. Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950 (requires payment) at Ancestry/has about 594,000 listings. I can't stop thinking about this case because it's from my home town. Arkansas is famous for many homeowners. On July 25, 1989, Dana went over to her parents house to do some laundry, Georgia said. Connect with Never Forgotten It simply states where murders occurred most frequently on an absolute and rate basis. The state has a surprising number of bone chilling tales, from cold cases to urban legends. Outreach. No circumstance has a more devastating effect on a family than the unknown whereabouts of a loved one. All charges were dropped in 2005. Often in unsolved murders, family members of the victim lose faith in the investigators trying to solve the case so charges can be filed. OPEN/ UNSOLVED CASES . There is a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the people who killed . Cold case is finally cracked and the killer is identified. The lawnmowing job was only about one-third complete and her car was still there, with the keys in it. 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? We only looked every single city in Arkansas for which FBI data was available for the most recent FBI Crime In The United States. FORT SMITH, Ark. Three people died and an officer was stabbed in the neck in an incident in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Sunday. Melanie ETHIER (1996) - ON Julie FORTIER (Unsolved Murder - 1980) - ON Stefan SCHWARTZ (1960) - B.C. Melissa Witt was abducted from a bowling alley parking lot in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1994. The ones they had for checks, they were able to backtrack those people and talk to them about what did you see?, said Pevehouse. The coat was corduroy and possibly fleece-lined. 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. RELATED: Details About The Murder Of Arkansas Teen Dana Stidham And Why Police Have Yet To Find Her Killer Alabama. He was described as 5 feet 9 or 10 inches tall, a white man with a dark complexion andblack hair combed back. Dig deeper into the stories you've heard before, and encounter many others you haven't, in ways that actually help. Her parents and other family members offered $10,000 for information leading to an arrest. You can also report any information you may have concerning a crime and could receive a . Aaron Smith Found Murdered on Serene Campground, A First Look at the Murder of Aaron Smith. Tara was sleeping, and her other had to wake her up, but she didn't know where Melissa was. Kemm-Highton saidin August she does not believe Smith killed Blades. There are currently no cases that match the selected filters. Lamb also told the paper it was best that the case be forgotten. I've stood in the same parking lot where Melissa went missing. I would like to see if they could maybe come for now. Thank you! It's believed that Melissa wore a white v-neck sweater and blue jeans. 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. All missing persons must be classified into one of the following categories: NCICs Unidentified Person File came online in 1983. 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! Early in the history of Arkansas and the city, Fort Smith was an important point of contact to the American West. Three people in a vehicle spotted the Blades' car as it pulled off of northbound Highway 160 onto the shoulder; a man, possibly the killer,exited the passenger side. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Fort Smith is 1 in 90 and property crime is 1 in 18. The National Crime Information Centers (NCICs) Missing Person File was implemented in 1975. 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. Its time she gets answers, Patti Rush, president of REVAMP in Fort Smith, said while referring to the daughter of the missing woman. Both cases remain unsolved. Gun sales shot up for a time, and sales of alarm systems and guard dogs also rose as the murders went unsolved . It's been nearly 30 years since Pam Felkins was kidnapped from her job at an Arkansas video store, raped and then murdered -- but . But she never made it inside. They were attributed to an alleged unidentified serial killer known as the Phantom of Texarkana or simply the Phantom Killer or Phantom Slayer. When Georgia received the call from police that evening that Danas body had been found, she said her only reaction was, It just couldn't be. 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. Cornerstone Mountain Retreat, near Jasper, visitors can walk for miles in pristine forests. According to Sgt. Anyone with information that can help solve this case is asked to call the Cold Case Squad at 816-234-5136. Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Fort Smith, AR. Her logic is that since Smith admitted other slayings he would have admitted this one, as well, if he did it. Melissa is pronounced deceased. The body was discovered by a Conco employee. Six people were on board the boat at the time of the crash, including 19-year-old Paul T. Murdaugh. Although the case may be cold, the Fort Smith police are still welcoming any information concerning the case. 6:30/6:40 pm:Witness reports hearing woman in distress in Bowling World Parking. The 2019 Fort Smith crime rate rose by 17% compared to 2018. The 25-year-old store clerk child was gunned down in an overnight robbery. There were no signs of struggle. William Scott Smith Unemployed cook, Salem, Ore. . If they can come forward anonymously, they could contact Sebastian County Sheriffs Office, Rush said. Two people witness Melissa's abduction. When they find her body, she had been exposed to extreme temperatures, Rush said. Lois Ensey left behind a husband and two daughters ages two and four. 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. Making it tougher for investigators to gather evidence. On Christmas Day, 1970 a year and 10 days after Blades disappeared her body was found in Stone County, 12 miles away. 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. You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website. The FBI estimates the national clearance rate for murders is 61 percent. She was running low on money, she was going to come out and have her mother buy her a hamburger. We must note that this report is not an analysis of the effectiveness of local police departments. It was described in news storiesas "torn up." 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. 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. The BridgeWay mental-health hospital, admitting it had wronged a 14-year-old patient who . No one noticed the blood splatter on her keys at the time. Chasing Chains, LLC. When you click through real estate links on our site, we earn an affiliate commission. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. A trail of blood was later found in the parking lot. Blades' husband, Larry, and her parents Louis and Geraldine Horton took issue with the sheriff's comments. In 1979, Lois Ensey was abducted while working at J's Night Owl Grocery off Highway 271 in Fort Smith. Arkansas law requires all missing persons to be entered immediately. Christopher Reese's 2014 murder in Notus, Idaho remains unsolved. "Westill follow up on leads that come in from time to time," he said. Her daughters are now 44 and 46. We were together all the time, Kristy said. Episode 34 - Arkansas - Who Killed Melissa Witt? 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. He said: There are many possibilities in the death of Mr. Moody. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. It's been over 20 years and people are still looking for answers in the murder of Arkansas teenager, Melissa Witt. Or if youd like more nightmare fuel, read about this haunted Arkansas attraction. It was only after the car was impounded, some three days later, that it was dusted.". Any ties went to the larger city. Records in the Missing Person File are retained indefinitely or until the individual is located or the record is canceled by the entering agency. Your anonymous call could lead to a $1,000 reward. A trapper, looking for deer sign on A US Forest Service road about 18 miles north of Ozark, noticed Witt's nude body lying face down about 30 years from the road. 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. The suspect had an alibiand police could not disprove it; The widow's eyewitness account didn't persuade Greene County prosecutors to file charges. 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. 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. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. He may have been lost at times, but who of us has not been lost? It was only her second night on the job and first night alone. City of Fort Collins Police Services, 2221 Timberline Road, Fort Collins, CO 80525 Phone: 970.221.6540 (non-emergency) . Murderpedia . 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 . Police learn the key witness in the stabbing death of a beloved aunt was an imposter; a return to the crime scene reveals a . Feeling bad, her mother left her a note asking her to join her for a burger later at Bowling World. 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 "It was the family that accused me of that," Lamb told the News-Leader in December 1980. 1. Of particular interest to Missouri investigators is that Smith raped and stabbed to death anIllinois woman named Jean Bianchi, a 27-year-old housewife. People who live in Fort Smith generally consider the southeast part of the city to be the safest. Some of that gas, but not all,could be accounted for by a trip Blades made to Kmart in Springfield to buypresents. 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. 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. The court determined that the events were not foreseeable and the case was ultimately dismissed. The two masked killers used a handcart to wheel the store safe out of the building and fled in Reese's car. Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. When her shift ended, her car wouldnt start. Went to the store, and people said that she had been there and bought what she needed and left, Georgia said. Furthermore, Swearingen was known to be in the area around the time Missy was abducted. From mafia to monsters, check out these 10 unsolved mysteries 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. 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. Arkansas Death Records Indexes, Obituaries and Cemeteries by County. The cases. The burlap sack also reminds us of the Scarecrow character in the Batman stories, a chilling psychopath who drugged and murdered townspeople while wearing a burlap sack over his head. This move prompts an interesting discussion about the rights and preservation of potential fantastical threats. 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? *This list consists of persons who have been reported missing to the Department of Public Safety under undetermined circumstances. Swearingen denied murdering Missy Witt and was executed on January 27, 2009, for Melissa Trotter's murder. Fort Smith jobs have decreased by 1.6%. She was always smiling and happy, Georgia told Dateline. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. So, we grew up without her basically our whole lives, said Enseys youngest daughter Nikki Ensey. Compare Fort Smith crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout. It was only her second. He weighed anestimated150 to 160 pounds. Amy Anstutz saw the burglar in the house. One of the bullets severed a major artery and Anstutz died an hour later at Cox Medical Center South. Oct. 18, 1981: An officer in Texas stops Pruett for speeding and locates a .38-caliber revolver and evidence from Larimer County. 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. Taxes and utilities also rank low on the national scale allowing those searching for dens in early October and early November. Each of these victims were submitted by families or law enforcement through our submission page. Chester Simons and Deborah Popp were found fatally shot in bed and police determined that Popp was shot by Simons, who then died by suicide, according to Fort Myers Police Department.