Get App. 1. When Linda Edwards got a job as dispatcher for the Garland County Sheriffs Office, she considered it a godsendbut just six months after joining the force, she vanished. He referenced a YouTube and Facebook video. A few months later, Abernathy was formally charged with her murder. Judge orders North Little Rock mental health facility to pay $2.5M in teen rape case. The Faulkner County Sheriff's Office revealed DNA evidence has identified Edward Keith Renegar as the primary suspect in the 1990 slaying. These cases surround themselves with weird clues, strange evidence and testimony, and odd circumstances, all of which serve to launch them into the realms of the most mysterious unsolved crimes. For almost 20 years Ernestine Andregg's family has not only suffered her loss, but also not knowing . The billboard advertises a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the 15-year-old case. He has been a guest speaker on numerous national radio and television stations and is a five time published author. Mrs. Murdaugh was found by her daughter lying in the doorway of the kitchen and dining room, with multiple wounds to the head. MISSING : 16 Year Old Thwana Mithsell Darrough "Five bodies have been discovered since March, each dismembered and left in secluded areas in local Arkansas. His findings where chilling, to say the least. Arkansas Cold Cases. According to Texas Monthly, however, local journalist James Presley's book The Phantom Killer: Unlocking the Mystery of the Texarkana Serial Murders: The Story of a Town in Terror presented a compelling case for Swinney's guilt in 2014. Maine's oldest unsolved murder case is that of 13-year-old Mary Catherine Olenchuk. - A poem titled "New Lite" sparks memories of an old, dark secret. The case remained unsolved for decades, until the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office took another crack at the Walker family murders case. Meanwhile, the Crossett Light also originated from a fatal railroad incident, this time with the unlucky worker being beheaded by the train. Like a handful of other states in the South, Arkansas has two ghostly orbs of its own, one in Gurdon and another in Crossett. The term "serial killer" hadn't been coined yet (according to Refinery29, it entered the lexicon via a 1981 article in The New York Times), but authorities in Texarkana strongly believed that a single killer had been behind all of the attacks. Rose Harsent, victim of the Peasenhall murder. They have spent many hours at the spot where they were killed, wondering how it could have happened. (Robbi . who was "fortunate enough to escape his grasp," according to Ryals. In March 1990, Kevin and Don's manner of death were officially changed from "accidental" to "homicide." They were also told some incriminating stories by his wife Peggy, 21, whom they had arrested a few weeks earlier for the same thing. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A well-known public figure in Camden and a pioneer for women in Arkansas, Crawford worked as a court stenographer before she decided to take the bar exam. One day, residents found Mike lying motionless under a tree. Man charged with murder in North Carolina is not George Floyd's brother, Ballot positions are done by a random draw in each county in Arkansas, National Park Service seeks tips from the public to aid homicide investigation in Hot Springs National Park, National Park Service and FBI Seek Information Regarding Hot Springs National Park Homicide Investigation, Woman found dead in Hot Springs National Park; death investigated as homicide, Police investigating after woman's remains found at Hot Springs National Park, Investigation by FBI, NPS closes part of Blacksnake Sunday. Just as mysteriously as the killings started, however, they subsided. But as they drove him to the station, the young man asked a strange question for someone accused of car theft: "Will they give me the chair?" These sessions will be offered via Zoom from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.Tuesday, March 2REGISTERThursday, May 13REGISTERTuesday, September 14REGISTERThursday, December 2REGISTER. Controversy erupted over Davidsons guilt or innocence, and whether he had acted alone. In Hogden, Oklahoma, just 200 miles west of Little Rock, two young men, Billy Hainline and Dennis Decker, lying together on the railroad tracks had been run over by a locomotive in 1984. Friends said he was anxious over it. On June 3, 2021, Linda passed away at the age of seventy-one. All the victims and wrongfully convicted people are listed by their last name. Garrett had another autopsy conducted on Kevin and Don. So far, the run had been clear sailing, as engineer Stephen Shroyer approached the small town of Bryant, Arkansas. Remembering Ella is available at bookstores including the Central Arkansas Library Systems Bookstore and Galleries at Library Square. Harsent was six months pregnant at the time of her death. "She's waited 42 years for answers. Leave your legacy with a planned gift that can help ensure quality materials, programming, and services for our libraries. The state medical examiner, Dr. Malak, concluded they had smoked the equivalent of twenty marijuana cigarettes. Extra Notes: Results: Unresolved. That led police to suspect that they had ended up arresting the Phantom Killer. In April, Paul Martin, 16, and Betty Jo Booker, 15, were found murdered after a high school dance. Last updated February 23, 2023. . According to Stephen, they questioned the existence of the tarp. No suspect was ever identified. The idea that someone could complete disappear in the digital age seems rather implausible, but thats exactly what John Glasgow did in 2008. Dont let the serenity of the Arkansas landscape fool you. Don and Kevin's parents, however, could . However, the boys parents didnt agree with that conclusionthey were certain their sons died of foul play. He was only active for a three-week period between April and May, but in that span, he attacked eight people, killing five. He then caught up with Larey as she tried to escape. The sheriff office's said that Renegar drove a red 1984 B2200 Mazda Pickup with a white camper shell. Box 1817. However, he repeatedly received resistance from authorities, who seemed unwilling to cooperate or change their opinions about the case. That all changed in 2010, when a series of relatively minor earthquakes shook the town. Feb 25, 2019 - Explore AY Magazine's board "Arkansas Murder Mysteries", followed by 987 people on Pinterest. Police quickly orchestrated an intense investigation. ", A composite photo of a potential suspect based on DNA was released earlier this year. Furthermore, he found evidence that Dr. Malak did not follow proper procedures when conducting the autopsies. The Arkansas Attorney Generals office serves as the main point of contact between theNational Center for Missing and Exploited Childrenand missing children organizations nonprofit in the State. He believes the assailant(s) incapacitated one of them, and then, felt like they had to do something to the other one. But some citizens still believed the wrong man had gone to the gallows. See more ideas about murder mysteries, murder, mystery. "So we continued on from there to do actual genealogy work. That night, they chose their usual hunting ground, along the railroad tracks that ran behind Dons house. She works in the field of information technology in Tulsa, where she lives with her husband and two catsbut her passion is wandering the hills of the Arkansas Ozarks. Police speculated that Kevin and Don's murder may have been related to drug trafficking. Several people were implicated in this conspiracy, which involved numerous investigations and two grand juries. Renegar died from natural causes on Sept. 5, 2002, in Salt Lake City. When 18-year-old Ella Barham was raped, murdered, and dismembered in broad daylight, the crime sent waves of shock through surrounding counties, the Ozarks, and even the national press. He also found evidence to indicate that one of them was already dead and one unconscious when the train hit them. The police began searching for her the next morning, but found few clues as to what could have caused her disappearance. He also drove a mustard yellow, long-wheel base Ford pickup, a small gray car, and a Ford LTD. Edward Keith Renegar was convicted of kidnapping a "young, small frame lady" in n Cleburne County, Ark. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Honor or memorial gifts are an everlasting way to pay tribute to someone who has touched your life. The train was over a mile long and was traveling at a speed of fifty-two miles per hour. While the missing persons case dragged on for close to a year, things took a frightening turn when a hunter stumbled upon Edwards partially buried remains in the woods. Date: August 23, 1987. 72201. It also looked into an alleged drug ring in Saline County which ran out of Mena Airport and was covered up by police. On most weekends, the two double dated. 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 Upon a close examination of the crime scene, police discovered that each victim had been struck in the head with some kind of blunt object. To further muddy the legend, independent researchers have argued that the tracks found by Ford and others were forgeries. Who had covered them with it and why? (Faulkner County Sheriff's Office). "It is with 99.99% accuracy that it is Edward Keith Renegars DNA that was collected as evidence from Pam Felkins during the initial investigation," Ryals told reporters. In the last 5 years Hot Springs has seen . Now, decades later, that story is the subject of a new book digging deeper into the crime. . This time, he was leaving town, heading down a road less than 200 yards from the spot where the bodies were run over. Legal Statement. Their supposed guard dog wasnt even fazed. Simply go tokrogercommunityrewards.com, click Create an Account to sign in, and selectCALS Foundationas your organization to support. The Natural State has more than enough of its dark secrets and skeletons in the closet to ruin the serenity. The initial investigation was swift. To see a complete list of Butler Center Books, visit www.butlercenter.org/publication. MUHAMMAD, Edward Charles In June 1988, a local man came forward, claiming that on the night of the murder, he saw two police officers beating two boys senseless in a store parking lot before tossing them into a police car and driving away. Before thiswebsitewas created, the public had limited access to information on missing persons. 5 dead bodies so far is what theyre saying.". Western Arkansas was also on the circuit of back roads Clyde Barrow used to evade lawmen from other states. The Arkansas Geological Survey was called out to investigate, and while the group noted that there is some evidence that fracking can cause minor earthquakes, they found no link between the drilling and these particular swarms. He does not believe Don would do that because he would not want the wood getting scratched. ", Another user wroteApril 12, "Dang! Six weeks after the investigation was reopened, Garrett came up with a strangely similar case. As of this writing, though, no one has come forward claiming responsibility. The trail went cold from there. A reporter from the local paper thought enough of the incident to file a story, earning the attention of low-budget filmmakers, who turned the encounter into a clumsy horror movie that propelled the creature to national stardom. The legends telling varies, though, with one version claiming that the light is the ghost of the decapitated rail worker looking for his head. Then things got weirder. It's been nearly 30 years since Pam Felkins was kidnapped from her job at an Arkansas video store, raped and then murdered -- but . Yall carry your weapons. Curtis had the trains sound checked and found that it was ninety-eight decibels, which is equivalent to the sound of a jackhammer or an air compressor running. Besides being a frequent visitor to the video rental storethe 32-year-old was abducted from, Renegar lived near the dump site in Greenbrier and also had a history of sexual assault and abuse of women, according to the sheriff's office. He had apparently passed away the night before. He determined that they had been in a deep sleep induced by the "psychedelic" effects of the drug and had never heard the oncoming train. Garrett also believes that the tarp existed. Captain Mask directed the Crimes Against Persons Unit to gather up all of the open case files, making sure they had as much of the original files as possible. What Lies Beyond. Several witnesses who testified before the grand jury were charged with drug trafficking and other offenses. He occasionally stayed overnight, but he always left the following day on the afternoon train. 100 Rock Street He was originally placed there in hopes that someone would identify him or claim the body, but no one ever came forward. When 18-year-old Ella Barham was raped, murdered, and dismembered in broad daylight, the crime sent waves of shock through surrounding counties, the Ozarks, and even the national press. Police ruled their deaths accidental, with the state medical examiner declaring that they were under the influence of marijuana and had passed out on the tracks. Gould, who was from Mountain View, was found dead . He ruled their deaths an accident. The boys' bodies were terribly mangled. Families don't accept explanation, Marijuana coma? Updated: 9:18 AM CST March 4, 2021 FORT SMITH, Ark. NeverForgotten.ar.govincludes all missing persons from Arkansas and will be updated regularly. Map Message from the Sheriff Most Wanted Press Releases. A federal judge later dismissed many of the agencies listed, but ordered three of them to turn over the pertinent documents to him. Two unsolved Ozarks murders are back in the news this week. In April, Paul Martin, 16, and Betty Jo Booker, 15, were found murdered after a high school dance. Relatively little new information ever surfaced in subsequent years. NEW YORK WOMAN, WHO VANISHED ON BUS TRIP TO FIND TWIN SISTER, STILL BEING SOUGHT 8 YEARS LATER. That night, Mikio Miyazawa, 44, Yasuko Miyazawa, 41, and their children Niina, 10, and Rei, 6, were all stabbed to death by an unknown assailant. Crime Tip Hotline. However, investigators noted that Glasgow received a hefty bonus before he vanished. Your help is needed in solving this murder so if you have any information please call Detective Sergeant D. Dallas at 501-771-7152. Two unsolved murders of young women from the 1970s have now been linked to one suspect through DNA and genetic genealogy, according to Northern California prosecutors. In the mid-1980s, a series of articles in The Arkansas Gazette alleged that her disappearance involved Arkansas State Police Commissioner Mike Berg. EMERGENCY 911. Post Sep 03, 2007 #1 2007-09-03T19:31. . Cold case is finally cracked and the killer is identified. Crime Tip Hotline. Mike Allen recently flipped through his latest project that dives into a childhood memory that . To him, it looked like they had been laid out by someone. The brutal murder of a young girl in the Arkansas Ozarks triggered shock and the threat of mob violence, followed by decades of mystery. Arkansas Unsolved Murder--Luther Gerald (Jerry) Parks, Jr. jerrysgirl67. All Rights Reserved. The state medical examiner, Dr. Fahmy Malak, said they had been under the influence of marijuana and ruled the deaths accidental. Ben Flajnik, who has worked on CrimeDoor, an app that allows users to enter true crime scenes, in his home office on March 3, 2021. My great grandmother, Angeline Patrick, remains a mystery as far as who she was and who her parents and siblings were. Two more appeared in the following yearsone in 2004 in Peach Orchard and another in Delaplaine three years later, two towns less than five miles apart. However, he was never charged in the case or officially labeled a suspect. "I daresay every lawman who worked this case never quit mulling the story over and over in hopes of turning up the hard evidence that could have convicted Swinney of the murders," Presley told the magazine. The Gurdon Light was first spotted in the early 1930s, following the murder of a railroad foreman. Name: Date: Victims: Location : B: Charles Jason BALDWIN: May 5, 1993: 3 ? SMITH, Kirt Douglas Thank you for supporting our journalism. Author Nita Gould first heard this disturbing story as a young woman, after discovering Ellas headstone on a trip through an overgrown family graveyard. Gould was driven to unearth answers long-buried under decades of gossip and folklore. Then under the direction of Captain Leonard Montgomery, the cold case squad was officially in operation. Results: Unresolved. The news release and an April 13 statement from the FBI on the investigation make no mention of any additional bodiesdiscovered in the area. Dig deeper into the stories you've heard before, and encounter many others you . Now word comes that the man whom Park's widow, Lois Jane Parks, later married - Dr David Millstein - has also been murdered by an "DorkFish"ailant with a knife . Nearly half of US murders going unsolved, data show by: Tyler Wornell. Arguably the states most notorious cold case, the mysterious deaths of Don Henry and Kevin Ives still haunt Central Arkansas. The train then went over them. The murder clearance rate hit an all-time low in 2020, and data analyzed by a nonprofit shows that trend continued last year. Unfortunately, the law barred Peggy from testifying against her husband, and the detectives lacked evidence strong enough to convict Swinney for murder. Having had no formal legal classes, she aced the exam and eventually became an expert in abstract and title law. Nate Coulter, the Executive Director of the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS), has appointed a committee of local historians and CALS staff members to accept RFQs (Requests for Qualifications) from qualified artists who are interested in designing, creating, and installing A MEMORIAL TO AFRICAN AMERICAN CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS WHO SERVED WITH THE UNION ARMY IN ARKANSAS. Arkansas, USA : C : Hoyt Franklin CLINES March 25, 1981: 1: Arkansas, USA : Johnie Michael . By all accounts, Kevin and Don were typical teenage boys who both loved to work on their cars and hunt. 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, Arkansas with medicine for. They denied any involvement in the case and sued Matrisciana and his film company for defamation, and the judge awarded them $USD598,750. Congestion was also found in their lungs which indicated that they had been hurt before being hit by the train. Arkansas Studies Catalog & Digital Collections, NIFI Dialogue Series / NIFI Serie de Dilogos, Mystery of Notorious Arkansas Murder Explored in New Book, CALS and Arkansas Symphony Call for Spoken Word Submissions, Business and Technology Center Opens at Williams Library. Give a donation in someones name to mark a special occasion, honor a friend or colleague or remember a beloved family member. While traveling through this part time or even full time jobs in Arkansas have come to call home. Harmon was later arrested on charges for running a drug ring, selling primarily cocaine, from his office. Witnesses say that they saw her standing next to a maroon car driven by a man in his 30s on August 9, 1970. The murder remains unsolved. Cold Case Investigations is responsible for the reopening and investigation of older, unsolved cases that occurred in North Little Rock. Kevin waited on the porch while Don went inside to talk to his father, Curtis. Henrys shirt was in tatters, with lacerations all over his body indicative of stabbing. In 1996, Linda and film producer Patrick Matrisciana released the documentary, Obstruction of Justice: The Mena Connection, which detailed the botched investigation into the murders. Order Missing Adult Resource Guides on theonline formor emailcommunity@arkansasag.gov. All rights reserved. He also suspects that there was some sort of police cover-up involved in the case; however, he was not sure if it was inadvertent or deliberate. Picavettold The Sentinel-Record that the FBI is working with local law enforcement because the investigation involves an incident on federal land. Just a few months later, on August 24, Kevin's sister, Alicia, passed away at the age of fifty-three. HOT SPRINGS, Ark. Mother of boy found dead on tracks in 1987 suing United States of America, Judge to look at files in 1987 deaths of 2 boys found on central Arkansas railroad tracks, Former wrestler claims he witnessed murders of Don Henry and Kevin Ives, Mom of cold case victim dies; Linda Ives sought answers in the deaths of 2 teens for decades, Linda Ives, mother who sought answers in 'Boys on the Tracks' case, dies at 71, SitcomsOnline Discussion of Don Henry and Kevin Ives, This case originally aired on the October 12, 1988 episode of. The third victim was identified as 27-year-old James Barker. gov. They had both been shot several times in the back of the head. Earthquake swarms arent entirely unusual in Arkansas. He beat her as well, and sexually assaulted her with the barrel of the gun he had threatened them with. The state medical examiner said the boys had been under the influence of marijuana and he ruled the deaths accidental. Suspects: The man wearing military fatigues witnessed by police and others remains a possible suspect, but police have never been able to locate or positively identify him. 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.. When police officer Danny Allen stopped to question him, the man opened fire. Unsolved Cases - Howard County Sheriff AR Unsolved Cases Howard County Sheriff's Department Case of Missing Person: Nona Jean Young (Coleman) W/F, 02-26-51 On August 20, 2002, the case of Nona Jean Young was reopened at the request of her family. An unidentified assailant often known as the Texarkana Phantom Killer committed a number of murders and assaults in Texarkana (Miller County, Arkansas, and Bowie County, Texas) through the spring of 1946. After serving a 10-month sentence in north Arkansas, he was released from prison in May of 1995. They put him behind bars for car theft. Texarkana was on high alert, but despite the best efforts of the authorities, the violence continued. Other medical experts and researchers stated that it was highly unlikely, if not impossible, for a person to pass out from smoking marijuana. "As far as an investigating technique, it was a very good one but it actually just wasn't enough," Director of Arkansas State Crime Laboratory Kermit Channel told FOX16. who was the head of the Investigations Division at the time. Others countered that he was in good spirits before he vanished. Another attributes the light to his wifes lantern, as she eternally searches for her husbands body. Linda at first trusted Harmon, but later came to believe he was involved. Such is the case of two young men who went missing in 1987 in the U.S. state of Arkansas and would next be seen dead under perplexing circumstances. Either way, well take our chances with the well-lit, paved areas of Fouke when passing through. In recent years, more designs have been popping up in southern areas of the state as well. She wanted to keep the baby, he didnt. Viral posts on social media warn of a purported serial killer in Hot Springs, Arkansas. On March 11, 2002 at approximately 5:42 P.M. a 71 year-old woman identified as Mrs. Jane Murdaught was found brutally beaten in her residence located at 835 Fairview Road in White County. In July 1994, he was convicted of kidnapping a "young, small frame lady" in Cleburne County, Ark. On April 16th, 2004 Chester Roberson was found murdered inside AA Auto Sales on Highway 161 where he was employed. Crawfords last known whereabouts place her at home. Their parents could not accept that ruling. Their parents would not accept Dr. Malaks conclusion. On December 19, 1959, the entire Walker family was brutally murdered in their home in Osprey, Florida. Butler Center Books is the publishing division of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System. The states had a handful of them before, but none have reached the magnitude of those in Guy. The next victims of the Phantom Killer, however, would not be as fortunate as his first. Katherine Baker Case Report Number: 90-053018 In a statement to USATODAY, Arkansas 911 News chief editor Paul Maddox said the site nevermentioned that there was a serial killerrunning loose in Hot Springs. It started as a normal Saturday night on August 22, 1987 in Bryant, Arkansas. These investigators examine and submit evidence for testing to the state crime lab for new testing using modern techniques, especially in the field of DNA. Source: HBO. (KATV) It was September 27, 2004, when the family of 22-year-old Rebekah Gould. Garrett was later interviewed by Robert Stack; he claimed that there was drug trafficking throughout Bryant and Saline County that was also connected to several other counties and states. Nicknames: Kevin (Larry); Don (Donald) 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. Little Rock The weight of the heavy cargo train carried it for a full half mile. His behavior had aroused suspicion. The book is also available from online retailers and through the University of Arkansas Press (via University of Chicago Press) at (800) 621-2736. The locomotive engineer engaged the brakes while blowing the horn, but the train could not stop in time and rolled over the bodies. Five months after the deaths, Kevin and Dons parents held a press conference. To cover their tracks, they laid them on the railroad tracks and covered them up with a tarp. Within hours, she had organized a search party. The Creepy Truth About The Texarkana Murder Mystery, The Phantom Killer: Unlocking the Mystery of the Texarkana Serial Murders: The Story of a Town in Terror. When a tribute gift is given the honoree will receive a letter acknowledging your generosity and a bookplate will be placed in a book. Authorities charged a neighbor, Odus Davidson, with the crime, as mob violence loomed. The killings were also the inspiration for the 1976 movieThe Town That Dreaded Sundown, which Texarkana still shows each Halloween in a park near one of the crime scenes. He wanted to make some money to buy Christmas presents. Gould makes her debut in this thoroughly researched exploration of the gruesome 1912 murder of one of the authors own relatives in Boone County, Arkansas. Legal Statement. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! In July 1988, a grand jury reversed Dr. Malaks original finding of accidental death and officially ruled their deaths "probable homicides." When traveling through southwest Arkansas, we advise sticking to the main roads. Arkansas parents dispute ruling on sons' deaths, Parents Doubt Report Blaming Marijuana: Youths' Deaths on Train Tracks Probed, Forensic photos indicate teens were injured prior to being struck by train, Garrett says, Second Autopsy Report Concludes Teens Murdered, Saline County Sheriff criticizes Malak for his handling of deaths, Prosecutor says teens hit by train may have seen drug dealers before death, Prosecutor: Teens killer will be brought to justice, Teens deaths ruled homicides after parents push for facts, Patrick Matrisciana's US Court of Appeals.