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. Her daughters are now 44 and 46. 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. Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Fort Smith, AR. Jenkins told Dateline. 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. In 1973, legislation created the White River Monster Refuge. 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. This, however, only applies to their own. 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. 2023 www.news-leader.com. 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 . 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. Dana's brother died in 2015. He was described as 5 feet 9 or 10 inches tall, a white man with a dark complexion andblack hair combed back. Georgia has now outlived her husband and both of children. If you have any possible . We all know she was really responsible, and she knew her dad was waiting on the medicine. From mafia to monsters, check out these 10 unsolved mysteries in Arkansas. 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. We were robbed of her wisdom and just her life in general.. 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. They denied ever suggesting Lamb was involvedbut stood firm in their belief Lamb was incompetent as a criminal investigator. The family alleged that the defendant failed to exercise ordinary care to provide for the safety of business. Anyone with information that can help solve this case is asked to call the Cold Case Squad at 816-234-5136. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Jenkins added. Unsolved Murders. Georgia said that in the days following Danas disappearance, there were several sighting of her daughter reported to police, but none proved true. The two masked killers used a handcart to wheel the store safe out of the building and fled in Reese's car. "They was just looking for anything to say, they was all upset.". Did the River Valley Killer Have Other Victims? Thank you! William Scott Smith Unemployed cook, Salem, Ore. . Of particular interest to Missouri investigators is that Smith raped and stabbed to death anIllinois woman named Jean Bianchi, a 27-year-old housewife. This can be a post about an unsolved homicide, a missing person, an unidentified person, a wrongful conviction, or forensics. This move prompts an interesting discussion about the rights and preservation of potential fantastical threats. Danas father passed away 10 years after his daughter was killed. 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. A week later, her body was found some10 miles south of the cemetery and about six miles east of Oldfield, in Christian County. 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. Crime in Arkansas. More Cost of Living or Compare Fort Smith's Cost of Living. You can find the link in the menu bar. Moody's father Jim wrote a letter about his son that he gave to the media. JC Rider, a retired Fort Smith Police Department detective, said investigators believe Witt was struck in the head and then kidnapped. That would be Helena-West Helena with 108.0 murders per 100,000 people. Recent job growth is Negative. Went to the store, and people said that she had been there and bought what she needed and left, Georgia said. RELATED: Detective believes 1995 murder of Arkansas teen could be tied to another case, RELATED: Alma Police receive hundreds of tips since 'Still Missing Morgan' documentary aired. Records in the Missing Person File are retained indefinitely or until the individual is located or the record is canceled by the entering agency. BOONE COUNTY, Ky. - Cold case detectives at the Boone County Sheriff's Office in Kentucky are investigating any possible connection between an unsolved double murder in 2011 and the 2017 . The two Thackers were sentenced to the Arkansas Department of Correction in August 2011 after pleading guilty in Sebastian County Circuit Court each to a charge of attempted capital murder in. Despite various theories, the case remains unsolved. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. If a manila folder image appears, this means you are at the beginning of the case file. Generally, cases are solved when the offender has been arrested and turned over to the court for prosecution. 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. On December 6, 1991, Austin, Texas was shell-shocked by a vicious crime. Little Rock: 56 | North Little Rock: 23. 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. Jenkins told Dateline. Missy kept very busy with classes and her part-time job at a local dental clinic where she worked as a dental assistant. Records in the Missing Person File are retained indefinitely or until the individual is located or the record is canceled by the entering agency. Rose Harsent was stabbed to death on 1 June 1902, in Peasenhall, Suffolk, England by an unknown assailant. Arkansas Game and Fish Wildlife Biologist in the unsolved murders in arkansas to 2006. Katherine Baker Case Report Number: 90-053018 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. She had accidentally left something on, and the battery was dead. Three people died and an officer was stabbed in the neck in an incident in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Sunday. Again, these statistics are an indication of where crimes occur, not a statement about the effectiveness of the law enforcement in the areas they serve. 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. Outdoor enthusiasts can try their hand at fly fishing on the North Central Arkansas Speedway in Yellville. There was not one sign of foul play, he said. The unemployment rate in Fort Smith is 4.6% (U.S. avg. No suspect was ever identified. Fort Smith jobs have decreased by 1.6%. The rate of crime in Fort Smith is 55.87 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. If you need a pleasant palate cleanser, try touring this cider mill. Is This Man a Serial Killer? An old wives tale is one thing, but once physical evidence gets involved these stories become especially chilling. There are currently no cases that match the selected filters. 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. Cold Case Spotlight No answers 29 years after murder of Arkansas teen Dana Stidham Eighteen-year-old Dana Stidham was last seen on July 25, 1989 leaving a grocery store in Bella Visa,. 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. There is no required waiting period to report a missing person. The body was discovered by a Conco employee. Swearingen denied murdering Missy Witt and was executed on January 27, 2009, for Melissa Trotter's murder. 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. I don't want to go to my grave not knowing, she told Dateline. Melissa Witt was killed in Arkansas in 1994. 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. Here are a fewother unsolved murders in the Ozarks: In his first year as Douglas County SheriffRoldan Turner had two separate murders to solve Ronnie Johnson and Kelle Ann Workman. She was running low on money, she was going to come out and have her mother buy her a hamburger. Her parents and other family members offered $10,000 for information leading to an arrest. Police showed her a photo of a convicted burglar who was known in the area and, according to news stories, she identified the man as the intruder who killed her husband. Specifically, we analyzed the FBI's Uniform Crime Report which summarizes the number of murders that may happen in each city per year. We have had several people tell us she was not getting along at home. 1995 Alma, Arkansas girl's disappearance featured in crime show on Hulu. Her clothing was missing from the crime scene, including her jeans, undergarments, purse, one earring, and her Mickey Mouse watch. 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. "It took them eight days to find her body. 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. The FBI estimates the national clearance rate for murders is 61 percent. 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. We all watch the news with horror when we hear about a homicide that happens not that far away from us. Best Places To Raise A Family In Arkansas, Download The Entire Arkansas Ranking Data. She was our joy. If you have information on their whereabouts, please contact the Detective Division at (479) 709-5116 . The FBI considers eyewitness identification notoriously unreliable, the story stated. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. Georgia said that this was strange behavior from Dana. Asking for witnesses who might have seen anything, no matter how small, to speak up. Jenkins told Dateline. She said that in 2003 detectives from Missouri went to Illinois to interview Smith, whodenied ever being in Nixa. Police called the man a "suspect." For more on Vine's crimes, watch "Snapped Notorious: The River Valley Killer.". Howard County Sheriff's Department. 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