She also lived in NE. 100 Rock Street Then things got weirder. The Doe Network has 33 Missing Persons listed from Arkansas.. 13 Males & 20 Females. A small community just north of Little Rock, Guy wasnt accustomed to drawing national attention. When a tribute gift is given the honoree will receive a letter acknowledging your generosity and a bookplate will be placed in a book. Brynn Rainey, 27, vanished in July 1977. By all accounts, Kevin and Don were typical teenage boys who both loved to work on their cars and hunt. They had also been shot to death. Friends said he was anxious over it. Larey claimed that the man had been black, despite not having seen his face, but Hollis said he believed the man to have been white. This database currently consists of unsolved homicides from 50 Florida counties, 46 U.S. states, and 3 international countries. 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. who was the head of the Investigations Division at the time. who was "fortunate enough to escape his grasp" in 1994, the sheriff's office said. Updated: 9:18 AM CST March 4, 2021 FORT SMITH, Ark. Gould was driven to unearth answers long-buried under decades of gossip and folklore. However, the swarms continued over the next two years and increased in magnitude, with one reaching as high as 4.7 in February 2011. Map. The police failed to find any blood from a supposed wound inflicted by Ford, but they did find a strange set of tracks out in the woods, as well as scratches on Fords door. The train then went over them. I relied extensively on primary, legal, and academic sources such as court case files, original newspaper articles, history and law books, and Barham family documents.. Examiners concluded that both were dead before being run over by the train. It's been nearly 30 years since Pam Felkins was kidnapped from her job at an Arkansas video store, rapedand then murdered -- but authorities announced Monday they may finally know who killed her. The idea that someone could complete disappear in the digital age seems rather implausible, but thats exactly what John Glasgow did in 2008. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! On October 23, 2018, Garrett passed away at the age of seventy-two. Feb 25, 2019 - Explore AY Magazine's board "Arkansas Murder Mysteries", followed by 987 people on Pinterest. The billboard advertises a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the 15-year-old case. Police quickly orchestrated an intense investigation. Virgil and Katie Starks were shot in their own home in May. What the media quickly dubbed the Texarkana Moonlight Murders, carried out by a shadowy figure the local paper called the "Phantom Killer," sent the small southern city into a panic. For author interviews, please inquire at author@rememberingella.com. On December 19, 1959, the entire Walker family was brutally murdered in their home in Osprey, Florida. "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. Cold cases are reported incidents of crime that were not solved during the initial investigation. Garrett had another autopsy conducted on Kevin and Don. Medical examiners reported that both boys had suffered injuries prior to the train accident. To further muddy the legend, independent researchers have argued that the tracks found by Ford and others were forgeries. Kevin and Don set off to go spotlighting, a form of night hunting which is illegal in Arkansas. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The first two victims' remains, those of an adult woman and young . Knowing that most of the evidence against him was hearsay, Abernathy decided to appeal his case. Her body was found the next day at a dump site in Faulkner County, where authorities determined she was raped and "violently murdered. Murdered Ella Barham was the authors long-dead cousin. "You may not know a thing, you may know something you don't realize you know, so we would love to be able to speak to anyone who had a relationship with Mr. Renegar," the sheriff said. Murder Mystery: Scandalous Arkansas Trials By Janie Jones Detective Al Dawson escorts Orsini to jail.Photographs courtesy of Central Arkansas Library System Archives On the morning of Sept. 26, 1974, a housekeeper discovered the body of 67-year-old Fern Rodgers, wife The legends telling varies, though, with one version claiming that the light is the ghost of the decapitated rail worker looking for his head. All investigators could confirm was that the killer was a man who wore a white hood, preferred to attack young people late at night in isolated areas, and often used a gun to kill his victims. After serving a 10-month sentence in north Arkansas, he was released from prison in May of 1995. Naturally, a state this friendly to mobsters was bound to have a fair amount of shady business deals. He took Curtis spotlight and took his own .22 rifle. need your help for this. Family history says that her maiden name was Carpenter and that her mom was from TN and father from KY. She was supposedly born in Illinois ca 1850. Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. For almost 20 years Ernestine Andregg's family has not only suffered her loss, but also not knowing . North Little Rock | Powered by CivicLive | document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Intrado Corporation | Contact Us, Real Estate Development Property for Sale, Board of Equalization/Pulaski County Board, Non-uniformed Employees Retirement Board/Pension Board, Residential Housing Facilities Board/Public Facilities Board, Find Community Development Grant Information. ", Another user wroteApril 12, "Dang! Cold case is finally cracked and the killer is identified. They appeared as a series of 10 circles as large as 9 meters (30 ft) in diameter. On August 23, 1987, the bodies of 16-year-old Don Henry and 17-year-old Kevin Ives were hit by a freight train in Alexander, Arkansas, United States, as they were laying on the tracks. Over 50 years later, the case remains cold. 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. Medical examiners reported that she died from blunt-force trauma to her skull. There are no reports of an active serial killer, and the misinformation started when the FBI and the National Park Service announcedan investigation at Hot Springs National Park after a body was discovered in the woods. Also called the Southern Sasquatch, sightings of the Fouke Monster date back to the 1940s, but arguably the most famous accounts occurred in the early 70s. That was her immediate reaction to the ruling. Thats where Mike sat for the next six decades. 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. (Robbi . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The kit includes a fingerprint strip and place for fingerprints, as well as a photograph. He feels that his life could be in danger. The reported green tarp was never seen again. Last updated February 23, 2023. . It's been over 20 years and people are still looking for answers in the murder of Arkansas teenager, Melissa Witt. The bodies of Richard Griffin, 29, and Polly Ann Moore, 17, were discovered the following morning. It's been nearly 30 years since Pam Felkins was kidnapped from her job at an Arkansas video store, raped and then murdered -- but . They hoped to force the authorities to reopen the investigation. "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. "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. Or, sign up for Kroger Rewards and a portion of your purchases at Kroger will be donated to the CALS Foundation. The Gurdon Light was first spotted in the early 1930s, following the murder of a railroad foreman. Picavettold The Sentinel-Record that the FBI is working with local law enforcement because the investigation involves an incident on federal land. Submit Via Email. When Stephen laid down on the diesel horn, he got no reaction from them. They were also told some incriminating stories by his wife Peggy, 21, whom they had arrested a few weeks earlier for the same thing. These are the three cases that remain unsolved. Unfortunately, the law barred Peggy from testifying against her husband, and the detectives lacked evidence strong enough to convict Swinney for murder. It seemed especially unlikely that it would happen to two people at the same time. USA TODAY contacted the Hot Springs Police Department about the claimand was referred to the National Park Service. Prior to working on this case, Garrett never carried a gun. 72201. 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 many others. Your help is needed in solving this murder so if you have any information please call Detective Sergeant D. Dallas at 501-771-7152. Stephen noted that although three seconds does not seem like a long amount of time, it felt like an eternity for him. A federal judge is to review an unsolved 1987 murder case of 2 young boys from Arkansas who were believed to have been killed by Clinton operatives. It also looked into an alleged drug ring in Saline County which ran out of Mena Airport and was covered up by police. Yet the true story behind the "Texarkana Moonlight Murders" is as chilling as anything seen on the silver screenand made all the more unsettling because the case remains unsolved nearly 70 years later. Local gun shops enjoyed a flurry of business, as people flocked to buy up firearms to defend themselves against a possible attack. All Rights Reserved. There is a homicide investigation in Hot Springs involving a 32-year-old woman found dead on National Park Service land, but investigators said it is an isolated incident. Ives, meanwhile, had blunt force trauma to his skull. Anonymous tips to the telecenter suggested that Kevin and Don were murdered by drug traffickers, and that they may have stumbled into the middle of a "drug drop." 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The other most investigated type of crime is rape, as the statute of limitations on this type of crime is 6 years. Mrs. Murdaugh was found by her daughter lying in the doorway of the kitchen and dining room, with multiple wounds to the head. The officers later returned to the scene without the boys. After living in Faulkner County from the late 1980s to early 1990s, he attended welding school in 1995 at Spartan College of Aeronautics Aviation and Technology in Tulsa, Okla. after his release, Edward Keith Renegar was convicted of kidnapping a "young, small frame lady" in n Cleburne County, Ark. Most Wanted Press Releases Sex Offenders. As a result, the families were not able to move forward with their investigation. Neither had they ever seen Kevin spaced out nor any signs that he was into drugs. the Murderpedia project stay alive. The History Channel even got in on the action, sending its MonsterQuest team to investigate in 2009. Adding to the intrigue, all of his files on Crawford disappeared after a short trip away from the office. Four days later, the police had found her dead body in a box buried in the woods. 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. One of them would shine a light in the animals eyes, transfixing the prey while the other fired. A grand jury agreed with him, citing insufficient evidence. Linda at first trusted Harmon, but later came to believe he was involved. The book is also available from online retailers and through the University of Arkansas Press (via University of Chicago Press) at (800) 621-2736. He later served time in prison on federal drug and racketeering charges. The ensuing investigation unearthed an intriguing lead. P.O. Spreading your gift out through monthly contributions is a great solution for your budget and ours. Posted: Feb 28, 2023 / 08:40 PM CST. The case remained unsolved for decades, until the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office took another crack at the Walker family murders case. Murderpedia has thousands of hours of work behind it. That night, they chose their usual hunting ground, along the railroad tracks that ran behind Dons house. Freeguidesto include checklists to follow when a loved one goes missing and resources are available. Article continues below advertisement. NeverForgotten.ar.gov includes all missing persons from Arkansas and will be updated regularly. The gang's criminal exploits in Arkansas included murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery, and automobile theft. The plan worked. Along with their stormy relationship, further implicating Abernathy in her murder was testimony from Edwards friend, Mary Patterson, who told police that Edwards was going to meet Abernathy the night she disappeared. Some, however, have since theorized she was the victim of local serial . 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. Sports reporter by day, internet sleuth at night, keep up with Brandon at On Campus Sports, Highlands Today, or on Twitter. Again, the victims were a couple of sweethearts out for a night of intimacy on a local lovers' lane, but this time the Phantom Killer didn't leave anyone alive. 870-777-6727 or . He occasionally stayed overnight, but he always left the following day on the afternoon train. 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. They had also been shot to death. Location: Alexander, Arkansas However, many do not consider him to be a credible source. to keep expanding and making Murderpedia a better site, but we really In August 2016, Linda sued the United States over Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Interestingly, Campbell and Lane were involved in investigating Harmon. 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. The mysterious Moonlight Murders rocked the sleepy southern town of Texarkana in 1946. Very interesting article from AY Magazine. He is not sure why someone would do that, however. However, he repeatedly received resistance from authorities, who seemed unwilling to cooperate or change their opinions about the case. In July 1988, a grand jury reversed Dr. Malaks original finding of accidental death and officially ruled their deaths "probable homicides." The sheriff office's said that Renegar drove a red 1984 B2200 Mazda Pickup with a white camper shell. Police have been unable to locate him. The Doe Network has 49 Unidentified Victims listed found in Arkansas.. 32 John Doe's & 17 Jane Doe's.. The locomotive engineer engaged the brakes while blowing the horn, but the train could not stop in time and rolled over the bodies. When they were about six poles away from Kevin and Don, his conductor yelled out big-o and he immediately realized that there were bodies on the tracks. However, he was unable to stop it in time. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He claimed that he was hired by a "corrupt Arkansas politician" to provide "muscle" at an Arkansas drug stop. Similar versions of the claim have been shared across Facebook, many users citing Arkansas 911 News as their source. Texarkana was on high alert, but despite the best efforts of the authorities, the violence continued. Author Nita Gould first heard this disturbing story as a young woman, after discovering Ellas headstone on a trip through an overgrown family graveyard. In September of 2004, the North Little Rock Police Department started a pilot program designed to reduce the number of open investigations by using retired law enforcement officers to supplement the existing group of investigators. Market data provided by Factset. who was "fortunate enough to escape his grasp" in 1994, the sheriff's office said. Amber Hunt, Emily G. Thompson. In October 1988, shortly after the broadcast, the results were released. Another attributes the light to his wifes lantern, as she eternally searches for her husbands body. It was higher than in 97.9% U.S. cities. In October 1988, shortly after the broadcast, the results were released. Don and Kevin's parents, however, could . The claim that there is an active serial killer in Hot Springs, Arkansas, is FALSE, based on our research. Like a handful of other states in the South, Arkansas has two ghostly orbs of its own, one in Gurdon and another in Crossett. Most Dangerous Places in Arkansas The 10 Murder Capitals Of Arkansas For 2021 1. After 25 years, though, it appears as if the case will forever remain unsolved. Swinney died in 1994, and no evidence has come out to unequivocally prove whether or not he was the Phantom Killer. In recent years, more designs have been popping up in southern areas of the state as well. Congestion was also found in their lungs which indicated that they had been hurt before being hit by the train. Home Email Facebook. In March 1990, Kevin and Don's manner of death were officially changed from "accidental" to "homicide."