William Scott Smith Unemployed cook, Salem, Ore. . Ive always felt that the phone call was tied to what had happened, Rider said. For some strange reason no one volunteered to climb down to see what pulled the rope. "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. Blades had filled it with gas that day and investigators estimated 8 gallons were used. Little Rock Her mother declined to give it to her. On September 16, 1989, almost two months after Dana was last seen, a hunter in Benton County, Arkansas came upon a shallow grave in a heavily wooded area. Some theorize she may have been the victim of a local serial killer, "The River Valley Killer.". Continue with Recommended Cookies. Hurrying to the scene, deputies found a bloody 1961 Ford with bullet holes in it. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! We have had several people tell us she was not getting along at home. On Christmas Day, 1970 a year and 10 days after Blades disappeared her body was found in Stone County, 12 miles away. It simply states where murders occurred most frequently on an absolute and rate basis. The BridgeWay mental-health hospital, admitting it had wronged a 14-year-old patient who . Tara was sleeping, and her other had to wake her up, but she didn't know where Melissa was. This is a list of notable male murderers who committed their murders in Arkansas, USA. "Since her death in 1989 our family has reached out to the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation on numerous occasions," he said. Arkansas area. Best Places To Raise A Family In Arkansas, Download The Entire Arkansas Ranking Data. FORT SMITH, Ark. Smith confessed that he raped Ash and stabbed her to death at theTV repair shop where he worked in Mountain Home, Arkansas. That would be Helena-West Helena with 108.0 murders per 100,000 people. 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. She was really sweet, everybody liked her, she was friends with everybody.. All rights reserved. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. 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. 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. This can be a post about an unsolved homicide, a missing person, an unidentified person, a wrongful conviction, or forensics. Murderpedia . SHARES. Do you feel thoroughly thrilled and chilled? "He was a brave, strong person," his mother told the News-Leader at the time. The monthly statistics are calculated to address the most frequently requested inquiries. Although not officially a suspect in any Washington . The 25-year-old store clerk child was gunned down in an overnight robbery. The IMCA sanctioned 3/8 mile oval and I situated in the Van Buren - Fort Smith area at the unsolved murders in arkansas a fairly temperate climate throughout much of the National Park engulfs the unsolved murders in arkansas. Ten months after Blades vanished, Sheriff Lamb told the publiche doubted there was a crime. A 19 year old college student disappears in a parking lot. Faces of Unsolved Homicide - Project: Cold Case. All charges were dropped in 2005. The burglar shot Anstutz twice in the abdomen. The Possible Police Connection A witness using the name of "Jerry" came forward to say that he saw sitting in a convenience store parking lot the night of August 22-23, 1987 and saw three teenaged boys, one on a motorcycle, hanging out . 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. Heultimately raped and murdered two elderly women in the River Valley, Arkansas area: Juanita Wofford in 1993, and Ruth Henderson in 1995. 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. All rights reserved. No one has ever been charged. 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. William Gardiner, a preacher of the Primitive Methodist Chapel, was suspected due . William Miller is a member of that group. Lamb also told the paper it was best that the case be forgotten. More:Pokin Around: Inspired by a readers question, an investigation into the 1989 murder of Ronnie Johnson. Little Rock: 56 | North Little Rock: 23. In addition, while incarcerated in Illinois he pleaded guilty in March 1971 to killing Obie Fay Ash, 32, of Cotter, Arkansas. 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. Denver Post . 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 documentary is being developed to cover Missy's case, and community advocates recently launched a billboard campaign to highlight her unsolved murder. 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. Thinking their daughter may have had car trouble, Lawrence and Georgia got in their car and drove around to find Dana. Dig deeper into the stories you've heard before, and encounter many others you haven't, in ways that actually help. Moody's father Jim wrote a letter about his son that he gave to the media. In the summer of 1989, she continued to work at the store while figuring out what she wanted to do, Georgia said. Episode 34 - Arkansas - Who Killed Melissa Witt? Sergeant Jenkins said there are several people of interest in the case, and that it is still being worked as an active investigation. If you have any information, you can call the River Valley crime stoppers at (479)-78-CRIME. However, with a period of no less than 90 days of community service. Firefighters responded to reports of smoke rising from a yogurt shop on West Anderson Lane. Amy Anstutz saw the burglar in the house. Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. His father, Alex Murdaugh, a local attorney and the son of Randolph Murdaugh III, owns the boat.. We have never come up with anything positive.". It was described in news storiesas "torn up." Instead, we looked at the hard numbers from the FBI's last year of reporting. 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. Early in the history of Arkansas and the city, Fort Smith was an important point of contact to the American West. "Westill follow up on leads that come in from time to time," he said. Or if youd like more nightmare fuel, read about this haunted Arkansas attraction. Case of Missing Person: Nona Jean Young (Coleman) W/F, 02-26-51 . Melissa's mother assumed that her daughter was with friends that evening. Arkansas isnt always peaceful forests and serene waterfalls. I always wanted my son to be aman of his word. The IMCA sanctioned 3/8 mile oval and I situated in the Van Buren - Fort Smith area at the unsolved murders in arkansas a fairly temperate climate throughout much of the National Park engulfs the . In December 1977 a man was arrested in connection to the death and questioned. This move prompts an interesting discussion about the rights and preservation of potential fantastical threats. Download the Uncovered Citizen Detective Guide to learn more about how thoughtful and safe online sleuthing. Should Smith, now 73, ever be releasedin Illinoishe would face a life sentence in Arkansas. As time passes on, I am afraid my sons murderer or murderers will not be found.. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. There is no required waiting period to report a missing person. 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. In addition, a homicide can be cleared if there is enough evidence to arrest and charge a suspect, but that suspect is dead. Two people witness Melissa's abduction. Records in the Missing Person File are retained indefinitely or until the individual is located or the record is canceled by the entering agency. Here's what is known about them SABRINA LYNN UNDERWOOD:. 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. He loved tinkering with cars, being outdoors and being a loyal friend. Specifically, we analyzed the FBI's Uniform Crime Report which summarizes the number of murders that may happen in each city per year. Missy's body was nude and placed near a headstone-shaped rock. Any ties went to the larger city. 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 architectural style is predominantly brick-oriented with many people to move, and land is worth in the unsolved murders in arkansas of your license. It is our seventh time ranking the most places with the most murders per capita in Arkansas and is updated for 2021. Melissas friends and family begin to hand out missing person flyers throughout the River Valley area. 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 was leaking oil badly; there was mud on the windshield; new scratches on both sides;and the antenna on the backwas bent. 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. Records are retained indefinitely, unless removed by the entering agency. Georgia said that this was strange behavior from Dana. I would like to see if they could maybe come for now. But as she got ready to go to campus for class, she had a small disagreement with her Mom after asking her if she could borrow money. The suspect had passed a polygraph test and told Davis that when he had talked about killing Workman he was "joking.". Any ties went to the larger city. His sentence in Illinois was lengthened in1977; hewas given another 18 years for trying to escape. No one noticed the blood splatter on her keys at the time. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. Blades was last seen at a Nixa store buying cookieson a cold Monday, Dec. 15, 1969. On December 6, 1991, Austin, Texas was shell-shocked by a vicious crime. 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. 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. Did The River Valley Killer Kidnap A Teenage Girl From A Bowling Alley Parking Lot And Murder Her? Harsent was six months pregnant at the time of her death. IE 11 is not supported. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Ashley County Obituaries, 1965-present from the Ashley County Ledger - also includes cemetery listings. . 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. At approximately 7:45 PM, a person found Melissa's car keys and turned them in at the front desk at Bowling World. The legend is that a railroad workers head was severed by an oncoming train. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Both Rush and Ensey believe police can solve the case. Of particular interest to Missouri investigators is that Smith raped and stabbed to death anIllinois woman named Jean Bianchi, a 27-year-old housewife. Donate. 2023 www.news-leader.com. These are the places in Arkansas where people were killed most often, according to the latest FBI numbers. 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 . Turner retired from law enforcement in 2020 after nearly 24 years with the Ozark Police Department. If a manila folder image appears, this means you are at the beginning of the case file. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'roadsnacks_net-medrectangle-3','ezslot_0',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-roadsnacks_net-medrectangle-3-0');For more reading on the Natural State check out: Population: 10,187Rank Last Year: 8Murders: 11 (4th Most)Murders Per 100k: 108.0 (Most)More on Helena-West Helena: Data|Photos, Population: 198,382Rank Last Year: 1Murders: 38 (Most)Murders Per 100k: 19.2 (6th Most)More on Little Rock: Data|Photos, Population: 13,468Rank Last Year: 6Murders: 10 (5th Most)Murders Per 100k: 74.3 (2nd Most)More on Blytheville: Data|Photos, Population: 66,604Rank Last Year: 23Murders: 12 (3rd Most)Murders Per 100k: 18.0 (7th Most)More on North Little Rock: Data|Photos, Population: 37,263Rank Last Year: 14Murders: 10 (5th Most)Murders Per 100k: 26.8 (5th Most)More on Hot Springs: Data|Photos, Population: 24,442Rank Last Year: 3Murders: 8 (7th Most)Murders Per 100k: 32.7 (4th Most)More on West Memphis: Data|Photos, Population: 78,261Rank Last Year: 22Murders: 13 (2nd Most)Murders Per 100k: 16.6 (10th Most)More on Jonesboro: Data|Photos, Population: 6,653Rank Last Year: 7Murders: 4 (10th Most)Murders Per 100k: 60.1 (3rd Most)More on Osceola: Data|Photos, Population: 23,873Rank Last Year: -Murders: 4 (10th Most)Murders Per 100k: 16.8 (9th Most)More on Searcy: Data|Photos, Population: 17,820Rank Last Year: 4Murders: 3 (13th Most)Murders Per 100k: 16.8 (8th Most)More on El Dorado: Data|Photos. She always called. Georgia has now outlived her husband and both of children. On July 25, 1989, Dana went over to her parents house to do some laundry, Georgia said. 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. 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. in Library Science.