These are the places in Arkansas where people were killed most often, according to the latest FBI numbers. 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. December 1, 1994, was a typical day for Missy. If I did, I would certainly honor your most understandable request.. If she was going to be late, she always called.. If you need a pleasant palate cleanser, try touring this cider mill. He was described as 5 feet 9 or 10 inches tall, a white man with a dark complexion andblack hair combed back. Since the 1930s, people have been debating the cause of the light. The burglar shot Anstutz twice in the abdomen. The victim is identified as 35-year-old . She lived with her parents, who were farmers, about 1.5 miles from the cemetery. Arkansas Gravestones has over 1.3 million gravestone photos. MISSING PERSON ENTRY CATEGORIES If you send me images or newspaper clippings I assume that I may use them on my website. Mark Alan SMITH: 1966 - 1970: 4 - 12: Arkansas, USA : Richard Wayne SNELL: 1983 / 1984: 2: Arkansas, USA . Its time she gets answers, Patti Rush, president of REVAMP in Fort Smith, said while referring to the daughter of the missing woman. A DNA match helps link multiple unsolved murders down to one man in this clip from Season 2, Episode 5.Tune in to Cold Case Files, Fridays at 9/8c on A&E, an. 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. Is This Man a Serial Killer? OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. An FBI profiler also concluded Vine was not the killer, Rider said, according to Today In Fort Smith. If they can come forward anonymously, they could contact Sebastian County Sheriffs Office, Rush said. Love Arkansas? 322 South Main Streeet, Suite 615 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-2222 / Visit Website. On December 6, 1991, Austin, Texas was shell-shocked by a vicious crime. KHBS CNN Three people are dead and a police officer is recovering from being. It simply states where murders occurred most frequently on an absolute and rate basis. Theres a seedy underbelly to almost everywhere, but knowing these dark occurrences happen in your own backyard is particularly nerve wracking. 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. Larry Swearingen was looked at as a person of interest in this case. But Mary Ann knew this was out of character for Melissa. That caused him to jerk the coat down. Submit Your Loved One. This is extremely important in cases involving a possible abduction, suspected foul play or an at-risk situation. We have never come up with anything positive.". 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. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. She was very sweet, but timid and scared to death of her boyfriend. He chose not to cooperate and therefore remains a suspect in this murder. Case of Missing Person: Nona Jean Young (Coleman) W/F, 02-26-51 . Early in the history of Arkansas and the city, Fort Smith was an important point of contact to the American West. I feel rape was the motive I think she was big and strong enough to fight them and they probably strangled her and then dumped her.". Who killed Missy Witt? It was leaking oil badly; there was mud on the windshield; new scratches on both sides;and the antenna on the backwas bent. A homicide can also be cleared if the victim of the crime hinders the prosecution by refusing to testify. The Arkansas, Texas & Oklahoma Bureau of Vital Records were contacted in an attempt to locate a death certificate for Nona Young. 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. 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. Her body was placed near a headstone-like rock. Both tried to interview witnesses, but they could only speak with certain people. And we have, every time we getany kind of lead whatsoever, run down that lead. This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. Over a month after she went missing, her body was found in the Ozark National Forest. It was only after the car was impounded, some three days later, that it was dusted.". Lambblamed the Blades family for starting rumors that he was involved in the murder. Recent job growth is Negative. However, Missy's clothes and personal belongings were missing from the scene and were never found. They called around to family members and Danas friends, but no one had heard from her that day. Uncovered is where the most passionate true crime enthusiasts can learn from and teach others. Melissa and Tara have biology class together on Friday, and then had plans to hang out that evening. It had been abandoned on the shoulder of northbound Highway 160. The suspect had an alibiand police could not disprove it; The widow's eyewitness account didn't persuade Greene County prosecutors to file charges. A documentary is being developed to cover Missy's case, and community advocates recently launched a billboard campaign to highlight her unsolved murder. Her parents and other family members offered $10,000 for information leading to an arrest. We must note that this report is not an analysis of the effectiveness of local police departments. She was running low on money, she was going to come out and have her mother buy her a hamburger. Sergeant Shannon Jenkins of the Benton County Sheriff's Office told Dateline that they received a phone call from Danas brother, Larry, at 9:15 p.m. on the 25th to report Dana missing. Arkansas features cultural and social hub of the Arkansas Insurance Department. Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. Missy's body was nude and placed near a headstone-shaped rock. Missy's body was nude and placed near a headstone-shaped rock. Each of these victims were submitted by families or law enforcement through our submission page. I dont recall exactly what the male voice said, but it was something like, I cant. And then he hung up the phone., 9:40 am:Melissa's body is found by two trappers in the Ozark National Forest. 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. We aim to deliver infotainment about where you live that your real estate agent won't tell you. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is requesting your assistance in closing these open cases. That left us with 26 cities to rank. Danas parents lived in Hiwasse, Arkansas, a 10-minute drive from Centerton, and she visited them often, Georgia said. Murder! The rate of crime in Fort Smith is 55.87 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. Amy Anstutz saw the burglar in the house. 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. SHARES. The 25-year-old store clerk child was gunned down in an overnight robbery. Helena-West Helena Source: Public domain Overall SnackAbility 1 /10 Population: 10,187 Rank Last Year: 8 Murders: 11 (4th Most) Murders Per 100k: 108.0 (Most) More on Helena-West Helena: Data | Photos 2. Her husband slept thatday because he worked a third shift at Springday, a Springfield manufacturer. The unsolved 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson of West Plainsis but one of many in the Ozarks. Any ties went to the larger city. But he was never charged in connection withAnstutz's murder. Melissa was hoping to become a dental hygienist. Continue with Recommended Cookies. She parked her car, and before she would even make it inside the bowling alley, investigators believe Missy was abducted from the parking lot. From mafia to monsters, check out these 10 unsolved mysteries in Arkansas. The keys were still in the ignition. If you want to get cheaper rates on your hand. 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. The summer after graduating from Gravette High School in Gravette, Arkansas, 18-year-old Dana Stidham had a job, good friends and was planning for her future, her mother, Georgia Stidham, told Dateline. Unsolved murder of Melissa Witt in 1994. The state has a surprising number of bone chilling tales, from cold cases to urban legends. Aaron Smith Found Murdered on Serene Campground, A First Look at the Murder of Aaron Smith. There is no required waiting period to report a missing person. by Crawlspace - True Crime & Mysteries, Arkansas : Melissa Witt by Cults, Crimes & Cabernet, CrimeCon UK Live: The Girl I Never Knew by Crimepedia, Episode 29: Unsolved Murder: Melissa Witt by Unsolved America. Dig deeper into the stories you've heard before, and encounter many others you haven't, in ways that actually help. By James Pletcher Jr. Jul 25, 2013 . Swearingen denied murdering Missy Witt and was executed on January 27, 2009, for Melissa Trotter's murder. It's been nearly 30 years since Pam Felkins was kidnapped from her job at an Arkansas video store, raped and then murdered -- but . She always called. Kemm-Highton saidin August she does not believe Smith killed Blades. The ones they had for checks, they were able to backtrack those people and talk to them about what did you see?, said Pevehouse. Melissa Witt was abducted from a bowling alley parking lot in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1994. So we knew something happened to her, Danas cousin, Kristy, told Dateline. Missy had gone on home and changed her clothes, according to a neighbor who saw her come and go. Do you feel thoroughly thrilled and chilled? On a daily basis, JC. Blades' husband, Larry, and her parents Louis and Geraldine Horton took issue with the sheriff's comments. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Crime in Arkansas. When you click through real estate links on our site, we earn an affiliate commission. Smith confessed that he raped Ash and stabbed her to death at theTV repair shop where he worked in Mountain Home, Arkansas. When they find her body, she had been exposed to extreme temperatures, Rush said. Workman was 6 feet tall and 135 pounds. It just destroyed us.. 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. Georgia said that in the days following Danas disappearance, there were several sighting of her daughter reported to police, but none proved true. "They was just looking for anything to say, they was all upset.". 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. Arkansas Crime Information Center. In July of 1979, Lois Ensey was abducted while working at J's Night Owl Grocery off Highway 271 in Fort Smith. Danas parents continued to drive around, but did not find their daughter. She said that in 2003 detectives from Missouri went to Illinois to interview Smith, whodenied ever being in Nixa. 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 . If a manila folder image appears, this means you are at the beginning of the case file. Known as "The Babysitter", this unidentified serial killer is known to have murdered at least four children, possibly more, between 1976 and 1977. He said: There are many possibilities in the death of Mr. Moody. The Little Rock and Fort Smith, the unsolved murders in arkansas near Morrilton, and Arkansas is the North Central Arkansas Speedway in Yellville. A retired detective and an Arkansas woman are working to solve Melissa Witt's murder Watch on Source: 5NEWS When she was discovered Six weeks after the abduction, two hunters in the Ozark National Forest discovered Missy's body on January 13, 199545 miles from her home in Fort Smith. From mafia to monsters, check out these 10 unsolved mysteries in Arkansas. Denver Post . Over a month after she went missing, her body was found in the Ozark National Forest. The man told Davis "vigilantes" who suspected him of killing Workman had shot up his mobile home. Her daughters are now 44 and 46. Jenkins told Dateline. Timmons already had a kidnapping conviction on his record, having abducted and held an 11-year-old boy in 1976, KYTV reported. 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. 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 . 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. Outreach. In Arkansas you also have added to the unsolved murders in arkansas an unusual place to visit. Arkansas, USA : home: last updates . True Crime Garage - Melissa Witt Part 2 /// 162, True Crime Garage - Melissa Witt Part 1/// 161, Murder in the Hills, episode 1: The Unsolved Murder of Melissa Witt & The Abduction of Morgan Nick, Local Documentarians Develop New Leads in Melissa Witt Cold Case, 304 // Who Killed Melissa Witt? If you have information on any of the persons . Instead, we looked at the hard numbers from the FBI's last year of reporting. Arkansas is famous for many homeowners. 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 . It was only her second. WEATHER & CLIMATE "Since her death in 1989 our family has reached out to the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation on numerous occasions," he said. FORT SMITH, Ark. Jenkins told Dateline. No suspect was ever identified. No suspect was ever identified. 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.". No one else has been. Unsolved Murders. We understand if you have trouble getting to sleep tonight, these unsolved mysteries certainly shook us to the core. That would be Helena-West Helena with 108.0 murders per 100,000 people. 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 accurate 2021 crime rates for Fort Smith, AR. After stopping at the store, Blades went to a Nixa laundromat. Her body was found a year later in the Ozark Mountains by trappers. A 19 year old college student disappears in a parking lot. Witt disappeared after arriving at Bowling World in Fort Smith on December 1, 1994. In addition, a homicide can be cleared if there is enough evidence to arrest and charge a suspect, but that suspect is dead. 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. While a murder just blocks or even a couple of towns away from your house would make anyone uneasy, in the long run, most likely, where you live is relatively safe. 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. "But he could be lying and if he was high on drugs or alcohol as he frequently was at the time he might not even remember," she said. Melissa's mother assumed that her daughter was with friends that evening. No one noticed the blood splatter on her keys at the time. Would you dare investigate what clawed monster lives in the deep? Harsent was six months pregnant at the time of her death. He was convicted of the murder of Melissa Trotter who was killed in a very similar manner as Missy. Often in unsolved murders, family members of the victim lose faith in the investigators trying to solve the case so charges can be filed. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks. The burglar tried to flee out the back but Anstutz confronted him and the two scuffled. Arkansas isnt always peaceful forests and serene waterfalls. In addition, while incarcerated in Illinois he pleaded guilty in March 1971 to killing Obie Fay Ash, 32, of Cotter, Arkansas. ", 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.". When a crime happens, and you dont know who the other party is. During the school year, Dana had been working after school and on weekends at Harps Food Store in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Sergeant Jenkins said Benton County Police issued a Be On the Lookout (BOLO ) at 9:43 p.m. At 6:30 a.m. the next day, Danas car was found in the southbound lane of highway 71, Sgt. If you have information on their whereabouts, please contact the Detective Division at (479) 709-5116 . 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. Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock Steven Fisher, 20, and his girlfriend Melisa Gregory, 17, were bludgeoned to death on a ranch northwest of Newton, Iowa, in 1983. After Vine's arrest, the possibility he killed Witt was considered. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. What haunted locations can I visit in Arkansas? That humming sound one hears is that of healthy baby bears, nursing to their little heart's content. 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. But Melissa never came home, and Mary Anne grew worried. 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. 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. His father, Alex Murdaugh, a local attorney and the son of Randolph Murdaugh III, owns the boat.. Branford Antoine Lewis, who was given an additional 18 and 1/2 years on an existing sentence in early February, returned to Sebastian County Circuit Court on . Anyone with information that can help solve this case is asked to call the Cold Case Squad at 816-234-5136. Rose Harsent, victim of the Peasenhall murder. If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already. *This list consists of persons who have been reported missing to the Department of Public Safety under undetermined circumstances. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. The Oakland County Child Killer. 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. 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. Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. Sloane McCaster, a member of Websleuths, an Internet forum of armchair detectives who look into unsolved crimes, met Mercedes at a club in Fayetteville, Arkansas. And even the victim and the victims loved ones dont know who the other party iswe normally draw these dead ends, Pevehouse said. Her logic is that since Smith admitted other slayings he would have admitted this one, as well, if he did it. But one suspect is alive and living in an Illinois prison. Danas personal belongings, however, were not inside the car. The News-Leader contacted Kelle Ann Workman's brother, Marc. 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. 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. It simply states where murders occurred most frequently on an absolute and rate basis. 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. Melissa is still not home. Sort All Cases By: Company Area | Male | Female | County | Year | Last Name Results: 13 Record (s) Found. They died never knowing what happened to Dana. Specifically, we analyzed the FBI's Uniform Crime Report which summarizes the number of murders that may happen in each city per year. We were robbed of her wisdom and just her life in general.. I've stood in the same parking lot where Melissa went missing. Her death differed from the attacks on the other three women, though: She was not beaten in the same way. The murders remain unsolved. The court determined that the events were not foreseeable and the case was ultimately dismissed. 1995 Alma, Arkansas girl's disappearance featured in crime show on Hulu. Went to the store, and people said that she had been there and bought what she needed and left, Georgia said. The Missing Person Active/Expired Analysis and the Unidentified Person Active/Expired Analysis reports are available upon request. 18 unsolved slayings in this area in five years. 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. 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()});});}. Lawrence, who had medical issues, was feeling ill that day, so he asked Dana if she could pick up his medicine at Phillips Foods store in Bella Vista. Immediately making identification information available to the public has proven effective in helping to locate missing children as well as missing adults. She was shy and didn't like to smile much; she was self-conscious about a crooked front tooth. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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. *While use of the Unidentified Person File is increasing, it is not yet mandated by law to make entries into this file. Her car was found in the parking lot, but she was nowhere to be seen. Shedid. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Nobody should ever have to lose a child.. This was on Dec. 3, 1969 12 days before Blades was abducted and killed. Donate. DNA evidence then connected him to the other crimes. ", 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. "He was a brave, strong person," his mother told the News-Leader at the time. Law enforcement agencies should be contacted without delay. Dana's brother died in 2015. The National Crime Information Centers (NCICs) Missing Person File was implemented in 1975. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Any ties went to the larger city. Certain details are withheld due to maintaining the integrity of the case, Sgt. "Buff" Lamb was openly hostile in the unsolved abduction and murder of Carol Blades, a 20-year-old Nixa housewife. 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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. Records are retained indefinitely, unless removed by the entering agency. Police ruled Danas death a homicide, but would not confirm the exact cause of death. 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. 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. Little Rock: 56 | North Little Rock: 23. The massacre inspired the movie "The Town that Dreaded Sundown." JC Rider, a retired Fort Smith Police Department detective, said investigators believe Witt was struck in the head and then kidnapped. 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 Shes waited 42 years for answers. Possibly the most spectacular of the crimes were the September 1983 bludgeoning deaths of News-Sentinel editorial page editor Dan Osborne, his wife, Jane, and their 11-year-old son, Ben, at their home on South Harrison Street. The FBI estimates the national clearance rate for murders is 61 percent. The 2019 Fort Smith crime rate rose by 17% compared to 2018. Rancher Ernest Wilhelm discovered her skeletal remains on his farmtwo miles west of Ponce de Leon.