Yes! He recently joined us to bring the case back to light in hopes someone will come forward with answers. On Christmas Eve of 1945, the Sodder family home in Fayetteville, West Virginia went up in flames. Our country currently has 250,000 unsolved murders. When she grew up, she wanted to be both a circus performer and a doctor. In the wake of the fire, it was discovered the the Sodder family's phone line had actually been cut, and the ladder was discarded at the base of a nearby embankment. WebFact check: No evidence of serial killer in Hot Springs, Arkansas, authorities say McKenzie Sadeghi USA TODAY 0:00 1:11 The claim: There is an active serial killer in Hot Springs, After reviewing home videos taken at the Little League game, investigators were able to obtain stills of the vehicle. Her parents, Colleen and Morris John Nick, amicably divorced six years later. (LogOut/ The second attempted abduction occurred in Fort Smith, just 15 miles from Alma. The Nick family temporarily moved into the fire station across the street, which later became the headquarters for the volunteer search. The renewed search was prompted by a tip that came in through the case task force, though it was not directly related to Morgans disappearance. WebNorth Arkansas Murder Remains Unsolved, Billboard Now Offers $25K Reward For Information IZARD COUNTY, Ark. I also want to get Early Bird Books newsletter featuring book deals, recommendations, and giveaways. She was running low on money, she was going to come out and have her mother buy her a hamburger, said Rider. Nicholas was the youngest of three kids and had a history of getting in trouble. Updated: 11:41 AM CDT July 20, 2021 FORT SMITH, Ark. This involved the construction of billboards along I-40, in the Alma and Fort Smith areas, as well as in Little Rock and northwest Arkansas. Alexis Crawford, who was five months pregnant, and her boyfriend were murdered in 2012. Featured photo of Diane and Daniel Schuler: HBO; Additional photos: Click on Detroit; Crimes We Can't Forget / Facebook; Unsolved Mysteries Wiki; still from "There's Something Wrong with Aunt Diane" via HBO; Wikimedia Commons; Wikimedia Commons; Missouri Police Department; Wikimedia Commons. by Tracy Neal April 18, 2023 Bentonville man held on $1 million bond in killing of teen The camper appeared to be around 4-5 shorter than the truckbed, had damage to its right rear-end and had curtains covering the windows. Tips can also be called into the FBI at 479-452-5873 or the Morgan Nick Foundation at 1-877-543-4673. There is currently a $60,000 reward being offered by the FBI and local community members for information leading to Morgan and those responsible for her disappearance. A week after her disappearance, Scotts mother received a call from the same voice that had been haunting her daughter. A waitress, the last person to see them alive, would later tell authorities that both seemed in quite the hurry, especially Viana who kept checking his watch. Humphrey keeps bracelets in her car with Melissas name on them. The imposter claimed his abductors chemically changed his eye and hair color, but he also spoke with a thick French accent. Police were mystified as to why Schuler drove at 60 mph for two miles in the opposite direction on the Taconic State Parkway. WebFrom mafia to monsters, check out these 10 unsolved mysteries in Arkansas. Aggravated assault was the only tracked violent crime that decreased in Little Rock in 2022. She didnt talk to strangers and only interacted with someone after shed gotten to know them. In Arkansas, the AMBER Alert service was renamed the Morgan Nick AMBER Alert. Even the lone survivor of the crash, Schulers son, could only describe what happened as Mommys head hurt, Mommy couldnt see.. Rider was lead detective on Witts 1994 homicide case until he retired a few years ago, but still to this day he volunteers his time working it. BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man was sentenced to 20 years in prison after admitting to sexually assaulting a girl. Are you related to Dorothy Scott? he asked. Rider said over the years the case has taken many twists and turns, theyve had solid leads, people of interest, but they never panned out. I either have a thought about it, wonder about it, or try to do something about it, Rider said. Rider and Humphrey have gained a friendship over their dedication to Melissas case. It covers three primary areas: The foundation also holds an annual conference targeted toward families of long-term missing children. She said the information she receives there goes directly to the Fort Smith Police Department. He is currently incarcerated on unrelated child molestation and rape charges. The Alma Police Department immediately launched an investigation into Morgans disappearance, reaching out to the FBI and Arkansas State Police, as well as the media. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. The FBI was soon involved, and after running the imposters fingerprints and a DNA test, they uncovered he was 23-year-old Frdric Pierre Bourdin, a serial imposter who assumed close to 500 identities, including three missing children. WebArkansas law requires all missing persons to be entered immediately. 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. Deputies arrived within six minutes. Friends still hold out for hope despite that. He was all the way in Spain, after having been reportedly kidnapped and sold into a European slavery ring. WebUpdated: 9:18 AM CST March 4, 2021 FORT SMITH, Ark. Morgan Chauntel Nick went missing from Alma, Crawford County, Arkansas on June 9, 1995. He had black or salt-and-pepper hair that was combed back and possibly curly, as well as a mustache, a beard with approximately three-to-four days growth and a hairy chest, Two charges of possession of a controlled counterfeit substance, a Class C felony, Endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree, Possession, use, delivery and/or advertising of drug paraphernalia. WebSheriff's Office detectives recently sent DNA from an unsolved 35-year-old murder case to the Arkansas Crime Laboratory in hopes of identifying the "John Doe" victim. Numerous witnesses who had interacted with Diane earlier that morning, from the owner of the campground to a gas station employee, maintained that Diane appeared sober. While a local TV crew was filming the family, a private investigator working on the production began digging around and found photos that proved physical dissimilarities. An unidentified man in a red truck who was seen driving away around the same time Nick disappeared was deemed a suspect, but after countless leads, authorities are no closer to finding her. Strangulation and shotguns were used to kill the children, several of whom were sexually assaulted before they were murdered. In the days following their deaths, the familys truck was discovered by authorities, abandoned with their IDs, phones, GPS system, and approximately $32,000 in cash. However, they did say the items were saved following the initial tests. 16 years after Rebekah Gould was murdered, William Miller allegedly confessed to killing her. She claims to have checked on the children around three or four times prior to her daughters disappearance. Schuler's son and her niece were rushed to hospitals, where the niece died later that day. The two children approached Morgans mother alone. Currently, the case is classified as a non-family abduction. (LogOut/ They turned the towns courtroom into a call centre to collect tips, and the FBI set up a mobile command centre in the buildings parking lot. Arkansas, according to 5 News. 1. She was my love.. The first step is to check local news reports from that date. They included a man who called himself Allen, and who admitted in a letter sent to the task force's psychiatrist that he had scouted out children with his roommate, the killer he called Frank." Colleen watched the teams walk off the diamond toward the bleachers, momentarily turning away from her daughter. Two people actually witnessed the abduction, Rider said. The Oakland County Child Killer. In the days before the fire, the Sodders were visited by two mena life insurance salesman and a man seeking workboth of whom warned Sodder to be careful of his home catching on fire. Approximately 10 to 15 minutes after hanging up, Diane pulled over. As well, her teeth were crowded, meaning that, if she were still alive, she would have needed braces when she was a teenager. To this day, the cause of death remains unknown. When asked where Morgan was, they appeared unconcerned, saying she was by the car. When a crime reporter and mechanical engineer scanned a corner of the lot with ground-penetrating radar, they found the presence of three anomalies consistent with a gravesite location. Springfields Police Department stated that because the scans were not conclusive, digging up the concrete was not justified. This prompted him to admit hed made up the story, saying someone had tried to steal his truck, but that the individual didnt have a child with him. A man's Investigators also received a tip claiming the women were buried under the foundations of a local hospital parking lot. The FBI is trying to learn more about Lincks life. On July 26, 2009, at 9:30 A.M., Diane Schuler left the Hunter Lake Campground in Parksville, New York with her young son and daughter, and her brother's three daughters. They were hoping to locate DNA evidence to show Morgan was once held in the location, but little was released regarding the results of the search. In 1978, the task force disbanded. If you have information about these incidents, please call detectives at (501) 371-4660. On August 20, 1966, a boy flying a kite found the bodies of two Brazilian men in Rio de Janeiro. Humphrey is no detective by trade, but she has a lot of passion to help police close this case. Rider said detectives believe she was struck in the head then kidnapped. FORT SMITH, Ark. Her brother reportedly begged Diane to stay off the road and wait for help, but Diane kept driving. Four years later, in April 1984, the calls stopped abruptly. Her daughter is seeking justice, Arkansas teen killed by man wearing white gloves still unsolved 25 years later, 40 Years in the Dark: How genetic genealogy solved the Helene Pruszynski murder case. Project: Cold Case is a one-of-a-kind organization that was born out of the desire to serve families that have lost loved ones to unsolved homicides. What struck him as odd was that he had a young girl with him, who he believed resembled Morgan. The psychiatrist was able to get the mysterious writer to agree to meet after confirming the alleged accomplice would get immunity, but Allen never showed up for their meeting. Their dog was also found in the vehicle, malnourished after days of being left in the truck without food or water. The Jamisons had at one point told their pastor there were spirits in their home and that they had consulted the satanic bible to rid the house of them. 1. Two boys and two girls went missing from their Oakland County communities, northwest of Detroit, Michigan, and all were found dead within 19 days. WebDyer County: Samantha Dial Hankins & Robert W. Williams. WebUnsolved Cases . Sign up for The Lineup's newsletter, and receive our most chilling investigations delivered straight to your inbox. Dorothy Scott was a 32-year-old single mother who had taken up karate and considered buying a handgun after getting repeated, anonymous calls from a stalker in 1980. Here are eight truly bone-chilling unsolved crimes that will have you looking over your own shoulder. I also want to get the Early Bird Books newsletter featuring great deals on ebooks. In August of that year, Scotts remains were found by a construction worker in some brush. Harvey was also given two polygraph tests, which he failed. Shed gone to her mothers Nissan Stanza to empty sand out of her shoes, while her friends did the same just a few feet away. WebThe murders remain unsolved. Hers was among a host of other unsolved disappearances and murders from the general area to be featured in the deck. An unidentified man tried to lead a nine-year-old girl into the mens restroom at a convenience store, only for her to resist. On January 15, 2002, state police and the FBI conducted a search of a private property in Booneville, Arkansas after receiving a very specific tip that claimed Morgan may have been buried there. George tried to rescue his children, but was hindered at every turn. An active Girl Scout, she loved arts and crafts, as well as her newly-adopted kitten, with whom she slept every night. Following her daughters disappearance, Colleen Nick established the Morgan Nick Foundation, after it became apparent there was a need for an organization capable of providing immediate assistance to families of missing children. Following his arrest, a neighbour also informed police that he thought Lincks pickup truck once had a camper shell over its bed. WebAccording to Project: Cold Case, from 1980-2019 there were 22,054 murders in Tennessee. Prior to his death, he may have had ties to adjacent states. Discovered alongside their grass-covered bodies on Vintem Hill were two towels, an empty water bottle, and a notebook. MISSING PERSON ENTRY CATEGORIES Carole Baskin from the show 'Tiger King' was in Northwest Arkansas Saturday, raising money for Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs. Several hours later, and 10 miles away from where she was last seen, her car appeared in an alley on firewith no trace of Scott. However, there were inconsistencies in his claims that made it difficult to determine whether he was providing false statements. It has sharpened long-standing concerns over drug traffic According to the report, Nick was charged in July 1987 with the following: Nearly 20 years later, in January 2006, he was charged with: As part of a plea deal, the charge for endangering the welfare of a child was dropped. So, its pretty active on our end.. The primary focus is on victims Rebekah Gould, Karen Johnson Swift, and Amanda Tusing. Heres what is known about them The aim is to discuss issues surrounding ongoing searches for their loved ones. The caller promptly hung up before they could be transferred to authorities. Is Dorothy home? the caller asked. He had black or salt-and-pepper hair that was combed back and possibly curly, as well as a mustache, a beard with approximately three-to-four days growth and a hairy chest. On a daily basis, JC Rider, a retired Fort Smith Police Department detective, thinks about the case. For nearly three decades the homicide case of Fort Smith teen Melissa Witt has gone unsolved, but a former detective Its believed the individual may also be responsible for two attempted child abductions in the area on June 9 and 10, 1995. Courts records indicate Lincks had previously been convicted of sexually abusing a young girl, pleading no contest to child sexual abuse in 1993. Whether at the grocery store, gas station, or local coffee shop, she hands them out to total strangers. Due to the couples odd behavior around the time they vanished, others believed that a drug deal had gone wrong. Since the 1930s, The conviction spurred parole revocations for earlier crimes, for which he served no time, other than a six month sentence for harassment. The autopsy of another, an 11-year-old boy named Timothy King who disappeared one night after going to a drugstore to buy candy, provided perhaps the most disturbing detail of his final hours. Both Morgans parents have been ruled out as suspects. If alive, Morgan would be 33 years old. 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. Those with information regarding the case are asked to contact the Alma Police Department at 479-632-3333 or the Arkansas State Police at 501-783-5195. According to investigators, hed been on their radar for approximately three years. A man named Albert Harvey called the Alma Police Department to report hed been working in his yard when he caught a man trying to break into his pickup truck. WebThe 1998 murder of John Alan Moody is one of 10 unsolved cold cases listed on the Springfield Police Department website. Based on the witness accounts, investigators were able to determine the man was between 23 and 38 years old, with a medium-to-solid build, standing at around 60 and weighing 180 pounds. In the 1970s, Arkansas wasnt the most hospitable place for an unwed mother of three. There have also been numerous unconfirmed sightings, but still no clues as to Morgans whereabouts or that of the person who abducted her. While both parents and four of the children made it out, five children were still inside. A witness later reported seeing Diane doubled over, as if vomiting. Web3 The Edwards Murder. Its also alleged she used her social security number. Despite their actions, the pair arent thought to be connected to the case. Related: Secrets and Lies: 7 True Crime Books About Cases with Shocking Twists. She believes her killer quite possibly could still be in the area. WebIn June of 2000, Amanda Tusing was found dead in the Big Bay Ditch in Craighead County, Arkansas, 14 miles from where her car was discovered three days earlier. In this unsolved mystery case involving a real-life changeling, 13-year-old Nicholas Barclay disappeared on June 13, 1994, from his San Antonio neighborhood after a day of playing basketball with friends. Most of the children disappeared on their way to a specific location. Learn More In Partnership with the Arkansas Attorney General's Office He cant stop thinking about how lonely and scary that December night must have been for Melissa. When Linda Edwards got a job as dispatcher for the Garland County According to Project: Cold Case, from 1965 to 2019 there were around 9,951 murders in Arkansas alone. Some believed they faked their deaths, committed group suicide, or were killed by a violent cult. The creepiest theory included a pastor, a confession, and a book. That, paired with his likely access to the Nick home, led Boulder to theorize he may have had some involvement in Morgans disappearance. Of greater interest, however, was a charge from July 1995 the violation of a minor in the first degree just one month after Morgan went missing. In late June 1995, investigators received a tip from Stuttgart, Arkansas. The tip resulted in an extensive search of the area, which included helicopters and search dogs. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Monday marked 7 years since the triple murder. Later, an investigative report published by Today In Fort Smithin 2006 revealed John Nicks past encounters with law enforcement, including charges related to drugs and battery. One of the Sodder children who made it out raced to a neighbor's house to call emergency services. On Groundhog Day 2019, a trip ended in tragedy with the murders of DHS adds North Little Rock zip code to D-SNAP eligibility, Tornado recovery agencies in Arkansas move on to new areas, Your Arkansas weather forecast from THV11, Over 30 years ago, a Little Rock woman was brutally murdered. Morgan and her mother were invited by a family friend to attend a Little League Baseball game at Wofford Field in Alma, Arkansas on June 9, 1995. Two boys and two girls went missing from their Oakland County communities, northwest of Detroit, Michigan, and all were found dead within 19 days. One May evening in 1980 after taking a co-worker to the hospital, Scott left to pull her car around. Bobby Jamison, Sherilynn Jamison, and their daughter Madyson Jamison disappeared from their truck while on a trip to buy land outside their hometown of Eufaula, Oklahoma. Authorities determined an electrical fire caused the blazedespite George recently having the wiring re-done and the local electric company stating it was safe. In his newest book, Whispers in the Willows, Jared explores three unsolved murder cases hes covered throughout the years, and more. by The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette April 20, 2023. On the day of his disappearance, he called home to get a ride, but his mother was sleeping, and his brother refused to wake her. Records in the Missing Person File are retained indefinitely or until the individual is located or the record is canceled by the entering agency. According to some, Bobbys father was involved, as he and his son were in a bitter lawsuit at the time. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, The Disappearance of Nguyet Thu Wiki Phung, Case Update: Brittanee Drexels Remains Discovered After 13 Years, SuspectCharged, The Disappearances of Tina & BethanySinclair, The Disappearances of Tina & Bethany Sinclair. Humphrey created a Facebook page called Who Killed Missy Witt and its gained thousands of followers and views over several years. No evidence exists of sexual assault in any of the cases, an unusual factor, Jared said. When Scotts mother responded yes, the caller stated, Ive got her before hanging up. The conviction was the result of an attempted child abduction, which occurred just two months after Morgan went missing and only eight miles from Wofford Field. After deciding it was too crowded, the two returned to Streeters house, where her mother, Sherrill Elizabeth Levitt, awaited. The single thing out of place was a broken glass lampshade for the porch light, which the boyfriend of one of Streeters friends swept away. Murder and missing person cases make the news in all states. The real Nicholas Barclay remains missing to this day. Tragically, the fire department was low on able-bodied men due to WWII. During an undercover investigation, Nick told a confidential informant that Pullan was his drug dealer, and a subsequent search of police records showed hed previously been arrested for drug trafficking. Around 1:30 P.M. Schulers car, driving the wrong way down Taconic State Parkway, collided with a SUV. The trail led from the back of her car over to where the bad guys car was parked, the detective told us. The pickup truck is said to have left the baseball fields parking lot around the same time Morgan went missing. Many theories have been floated about the circumstances behind the familys mysterious disappearance. Related: Up in Smoke: The Sodder Children Disappearance of 1945. By continuing to browse, you accept the use of cookies and other technologies. aka: Barrow Brothersaka: Barrow Gang. Because of that, if you know the deceaseds name and where the incident occurred. Three women mysteriously vanished from a home in Springfield, Missouri, sometime between the night of June 6 and morning of June 7, 1992. She was six years old, and was last seen wearing a green Girl Scouts t-shirt, blue denim shorts and white tennis shoes. As of 2021, law enforcement continues to receive new leads in the case, which are investigated at the local, state and federal level. Federal investigators searched another property, a mobile home in Spiro, Oklahoma, on November 15, 2010. At first, Colleen was hesitant about letting her daughter go, as they were unfamiliar with the area, but after being told by other parents that it was a safe area, she eventually agreed. All three passengers in the other car were killed in the collision, while Schuler, her daughter, and two of her nieces also died. As more information about the men surfaced, it was revealed they were electronic technicians and "scientific spiritualists, with interests in both ghosts and extraterrestrials. After a night of graduation party hopping, 19-year-old Suzanne Streeter and 18-year-old Stacy McCall headed to a friends to crash. The Barclays were overjoyed, but as soon as Nicholas exited his plane, it became clear that something was wrong. WebUpdated: 6:58 PM PDT April 27, 2023. The Pulaski County Sheriffs Office confirms the case remains open in 2019. The National Crime Information Centers (NCICs) Missing Person File was implemented in 1975. WebUnsolved Arkansas Murders. Following the search, investigators shared they didnt intend to return to the property. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Nicholas never made it home that day and was never heard from again. WebAll Arkansas Cold Cases. However, it should be noted this is a theory presented by a member of the press and not by law enforcement. Pulaski County sheriffs office searching for escaped inmate. It's been nearly 30 years since Melissa Witt was murdered in Fort Smith, but a retired detective and an Arkansas woman are hoping to make a break in the case. Please log in using one of these methods to post your comment: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Morgan was last seen by her friends around 10:45pm. Instructions; List of Templates; in: United States. Both men were dressed in suits, wearing waterproof coats and lead masks similar to those youd typically wear to protect against radiation. It was at this point that things took a terrifying turn. 2016 Unsolved Homicides The following homicides are unsolved. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. But 45 days after her disappearance, they received a call from the Franklin County Sheriffs Office that would shift the entire investigation. SEATTLE The mother of Sarena Turner says shes confident investigators will find who killed her 29-year-old daughter. The family of a pregnant mother murdered with her boyfriend, in front of her toddler refuses to give up searching for justice. After the boys body was found in a ditch, a coroner determined the cause of death was strangulation, but also found that the young boy had eaten KFC before his death. The trio went to play nearby, close enough that Colleen was able to check on Morgan. Cadaver dogs were brought in and hit on a well on the property, but the search was called off after one day, as no evidence was uncovered. The latest break in the case came in November 2021, when the FBI announced a man named Billy Jack Lincks was a person of interest the first person to be publicly named as such. (KATV) It was September 27, 2004, when the family of We have a case that could easily be solved, said LaDonna Humphrey, a northwest Arkansas woman. Of the homicide cases in Washington from 1965 to 2019, 28% are currently unsolved. WebCarole Baskin from the show 'Tiger King' was in Northwest Arkansas Saturday, raising money for Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs. Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock Steven Fisher, 20, and his girlfriend Melisa Gregory, 17, were bludgeoned to death on a ranch northwest of Newton, For every cold case that's cracked there are many more tragic tales of mysterious disappearances or unsolved murders that remain unsolved. A cadaver dog was brought in to assist, but nothing related to the case was uncovered. LR man, 21, held in April 10 shooting. Danick Adams Jessie Adams Mycheal Adams Jesse Adams Martin Aguilar-Luna Anthony Allen Nathan Allen Bradley Allen Brooke Allensworth Jaylan Alston However, when Colleen walked toward the vehicle, her daughter wasnt there. Step 1: gather data from newspapers, old news articles, or videos. The same location was searched just over seven years later, in December 2017, by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), the FBI and local investigators. On the evening of December 1, 1994, Melissa, a 19-year-old popular college student showed up at Bowling World to get the dinner her mother promised. What struck him as odd was that he had a young girl with him, who he believed resembled Morgan. By 1:00 P.M., Schulers brother got another callthis time from his daughterclaiming Diane was struggling to see and speak. The Arkansas, Texas & Oklahoma Bureau of Vital Records were contacted in an attempt to locate a death certificate for Nona Young. While the FBI never administered him a polygraph, there were reports he was polygraphed by another law enforcement agency at the time of his arrest. After Witts mother, who raised her alone, died years ago, Humphrey became a voice for Witts case. WebAfter nearly 8 years, the murder of Samantha Olson remains unsolved A retired detective and an Arkansas woman are working to solve Melissa Witt's murder After three years, family of A task force was formed to find the killer, and several suspects were identified. Related:Bodies on the Hill: The Enduring Mystery of the Lead Masks Case. In December of 1992, an anonymous tipster phoned the Americas Most Wanted hotline claiming they had information about these potential unsolved murders. In 2019, the OSBI included Morgans picture in a set of cold case playing cards, which were distributed to local prisons. In 1997, imprisoned convicted kidnapper, robber, and Florida murder suspect Robert Craig Cox told journalists the women had been murdered and buried, never to be recovered.