The suspect's race was an important factor in the case, as the hair of black male was discovered in one of the sheets used to wrap the victims. He refused to appeal his death sentence. "Yes the son called and told us that their dad had shot their mama," said Stringfellow. Since her disappearance, Colleen Nick has founded the Morgan Nick Foundation, which helps parents cope with the disappearances of children. Their hangings were reportedly well attended. The book also delves into Arkansas death row, which made it back into the news in 2017. Fire Ants Have Unleashed Chaos in Texas for Decades. Frazier had been reported missing out on Feb. 8. Mary Isabel Piner/Ball/Johnson lived in Madison Co. AR came from NC and TN to AR. The telling of the story varies wildly. Miller county sheriff's deputies have charged a brother and sister with the murders of two Texarkana men who's bodies were found inside a charred car. Other than Horton himself, no one except Ardis ODell Reed may know for certain where Tex Roberts is, but after he was released on $15,000 bond, Ardis ODell Reed vanished for over two years. Both women had been savagely beaten and choked; in addition, a large piece of flesh had been bitten from Mrs. Fromes arm and Nancys body was marred by cigarette burns. The Packard was found abandoned 56 miles east of the spot where the bodies were discovered. (The independent Roberts kept no servants.) Get more stories delivered right to your email. A vehicle with a similar insignia had been used by narcotics smugglers, leading police to speculate that the Fromes may have been mistaken for dope runners who double-crossed their ringleaders. The following day, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. There was, in short, no apparent motive. That autopsy found Hercutt suffered headinjuries she couldn't possibly have sustained in the crash. However, due to an ever-expanding Pulaski County, the once rural highway is slowly being overrun by suburbia. All of the links in this post refer back to the author's references. Stephens did not return requests for comment for this story. But police believe that other parties unknown could have had a motive, toosomeone who arranged the contact, perhaps, or helped finance Farentholds part of the deal and didnt want his role exposed in court. The memo also says the backups were supposed to be delivered to a Huckabee aide. All rights reserved. He found the usually locked front door ajar but no one home. Hercuttwouldn't have been out driving that late. Packard stopped making automobiles in 1958, and garages willing to repair cars overnight vanished long ago. The Kings last performance came more than a decade ago, in February 1966, and Fannin now says resignedly of the cases, Theyll never be solved.. As expected, until these murders are solved, Little Rock murders discussion will continue on social media platforms such as Facebook, Reddit, and Websleuths, where individuals speculate and share information regarding Little Rock murders pictures, Little Rock murders crime scene photos, and Little Rock, Arkansas, murders autopsy photos, which are most often not released even after a case is solved. Investigators said the case remains under investigation. A friend called Bergeron two days later with news of a special delivery letter from Tex, who wrote that he had left the state on business and that attorney Leon C. Horton would be managing his affairs during his absence. I just have a feeling that a lot of murderers, at some pointthese [killers] told somebody, Jared said. Jared said his book also has chapters that include other cases, too. 1. Susie Ward/Piner and Mary Isabell Piner/Ball/Johnson are the focus of my search. If a suspect whispered about his or her guilt during an incident, it could be the missing link to the puzzle. He had been beaten to death early on the morn- of June 4, only a few short hours after his stepmother Sissy had lost her first bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination to Dolph Briscoe. On . The victim was a young blonde, and she had been savagely beaten before being shot in the head by her boyfriend. We've shared with you 10 unexplained mysteries of Arkansas, but don't think it stops there. [], JONESBORO, Ark. AR man allegedly kills wife in front of sons, La. The story did little to dispel the rumors, though. The police have the man who did it, and he is indeed behind bars. Tusing vanished on June 14, 2000. It was September 27, 2004, when the family of 22-year-old Rebekah Gould received the news they were not hoping to hear - her body was discovered in a ditch, bludgeoned to . These 11 Arkansas Murder Cases Made Headlines - OnlyInYourState Arrests were made, some jewels recovered, but the King himself was never caught. On June 9, 1995, Morgan Nick and her mother, Colleen Nick, went to a Little League baseball game in their town of Alma, Arkansas. The decision remains controversial as the families of the three victims are divided in their opinions as to the guilt or innocence of the West Memphis Three. Anyone with information can call the sheriff's office at (501) 622-3660 or the criminal investigation division at (501) 622-3690. Theres a possibility that a law officer may have been involved in her murder.. She lived alone on East Milford Haven Drive outside Sevierville,and she never married or had children. Jared was present for three of the four executions including the first double execution in 20 years in the United States. A lot of new witnesses and implications have come to the surface, Jared said. Cherry's estimated release date is January 9, 2020. It was not unusual for the 85-year-old Roberts to leave the house suddenly, but it was virtually unprecedented for 89-year-old, infirm Jessie Forsyth to accompany him. That may have been why somein the community grew to suspect the father had a hand in his daughter's killing. Can College Sports Get More Absurd Than SMU Joining the Pac-12? The only evidence left behind were 10 9-mm bullet casings scattered on the pavement. He said he once received a phone call with no caller ID; someone breathed the word "murderer," then hung up. While the authorities' search for the "highway apostle" yielded no tangible evidence, the story permeated Little Rock by word of mouth. The Phantom Killer: Behind An Unsolved Murder Spree In Arkansas When police found a 21-year-old female brutally murdered in her hotel room, the mystery was just beginning. Does a killer still roam free in Arkansas? The 38-year law enforcement veteran believes investigators have nailed down the motive but said, "If I told you what it was, it'd be obvious who I was talking about.". The question on many residents' minds: were the two incidents linked? A crowd of several hundred in the downtown Jonesboro area was dispersed early Saturday by Jonesboro authorities but not before one man was arrested for allegedly refusing to follow the officers orders. The secret starts in the wooded terrain of Jack Mountain in Hot Spring County, where hunters found the remains of Linda Edwards back in 1977. .In his confession, the thief said he sold it whole to someone from Phoenix for $25,000, of which he received only $6000. Authorities ask anyone with information in the case to call the Sevier County Sheriff's Office at865-453-4668 or 865-428-1899. He also consulted a handwriting expert and Paul Chitwood, an attorney who had previously done legal work for Roberts. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ", Mathis' aunt, Misty Ely, told the newspaper Mathis had gone to a friend's house on Christmas Eve but left around 11 p.m. and it was unknown what happened to him between then and Christmas morning. Address: 137 W. Robinson Road De Queen, AR 71832. One of the survivors, Henry Greenbaum, describes watching five of his siblings die at the hands of the Nazis. More specifically, in Little Rock, Arkansas most populated city, in 2018 the homicide rate was 20.07 per 100,000 residents. Anyone with any information or questions can contact Detective Mark Fallis at (501) 321-6789, ext. Valuable jewelry had been ignored. Police said they've interviewed hundreds of people, but no useful leads have turned up. Sevier County Sheriff, AR The first homicide of 2021 was the discovery on March 27 of the remains of Paige Autumn White, 32, of Hot Springs, in a wooded area off Blacksnake Road near the Whittington Avenue end, which is being handled by the National Park Service's investigation division, assisted by the FBI, Hot Springs Police Department, Garland County sheriff's office and Arkansas State Police. You may find yourself wondering, Why is Arkansas crime rate so high? Although there is not a single, nor a simple, answer to this complex question, it can be assumed that Little Rocks crime rate is higher than smaller towns in Arkansas due majorly to its size and population. Rector was convicted on both counts and sentenced to death. Those with information can call or text the ISB Tip Line at (888) 653-0009; leave tips online by visiting http://www.nps.gov/ISB and clicking "Submit a Tip;" or by email at nps_isb@nps.gov. Also, the Federal Bureau of Investigation releases a Uniform Crime Report every year which shows, in detail, the crimes, crime rates, and locations of crimes in every state, county, and city. 9.Arkansas' role in a global internet enigma. "Yes the kids were in there and when the kids saw it they ran to a neighbor's house where they called 911," said Sheriff Stringfellow. You don't have to tell us who you are, but please tell us what you know," the release said. After the discovery of her nude body in a dry creek bed, the medical examiner ruled . On November 11, 2009, Vance was convicted of capital murder, residential burglary, rape, and theft of property. "I know you have paid someone to kill Shannon," Penny Stephens told Ted Hercutt, his mouth agape. Today (Friday, August 16) is the official release date for Jareds new book. 48-year-old Timothy Sharp is in the Sevier County Jail charged in the shooting death of his wife Crystal Sharp. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office confirmed Thursday there was nothing new in the case to report and the investigation is ongoing. However, this neat package overlooks one minor. If you enjoy coverage like this, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it. The first victims, Jimmy Hollis, 25, and Mary Jeanne Larey, 19, were attacked while parked at a local lovers' lane. Finally, some others include east Arkansas unsolved murders, which include the 1986 murder of Sandra Alberda, the 1989 murder of Jimmie Wade Martin, the 1994 murder of Marty Bradley, the 1987 murder of Stella Patterson, and the 1970 murder of John Leonard, among many others in the remainder of the state. Four days after they finally left El Paso, a county sheriff found them, dead and mutilated, in the desolate wasteland six miles east of Van Horn and half a mile south of U.S. 80. In recent years, DNA technology has led to hundreds, if not thousands, of decades-old cold cases being solved, and Arkansas is not the exception. The overall violent crime rate in Arkansas as of 2019 was 867.1 per 100,000 residents, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Bring on the Shiplap? West Texans Are Learning What It Means to Live in Bear Country, How Florence ButtNot Her SonLaunched the H-E-B Empire, H-E-Bs True Texas BBQ Restaurant Is Slipping, Jimmy Carters Peanut-and-Egg Taco Made Quite the Impression on San Antonians. She was dead before she hit the water. This Cold Case remains unsolved. It may be that last trait that can most be closely identified with the author. It began on the night of August 15, 1970, when Roberts, whose real name wasnt Robertshe was born Leroy Seviersummoned his friend and bodyguard Al Bergeron concerning a matter of utmost importance. After finishing some personal business, Bergeron went to the mansion. Over the years, 7,797 of those murders were solved, leaving over 2,100 unsolved murders in Arkansas today. Once Hazel Frome and her daughter Nancy had decided to drive from San Francisco to Parris Island, South Carolina, they might have chosen the northern transcontinental route instead of the southern road through El Pasobut they didnt. And we still have some of those here today.". During a previous escape, Chism shot and seriously wounded a correctional officer. Family members said he was all but cut out of her will. Her possessions gave investigators little to work with. The man in the rain shoes is not Fannins long-lost rich uncle (though he is rich); indeed, Fannin doesnt even know his name. Over the years, roughly 7,797 of those murders in Arkansas were solved, leaving over 2,100 unsolved Arkansas murders today. These 5 Unsolved Arkansas Crimes Will Haunt You - OnlyInYourState The property had been sold to a management company created and owned by Horton. The Hercutt family said a $45,000. They may have information. She and her husband were getting divorced and she vanished a few weeks after filing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes, Fowler Center Presents Singer/Songwriter Kaia Kater in Concert, Multiple arrested in Poinsett County explosive investigation, WBUs Anderson Senior Recital Set for March 7, Bicyclists Invited to Enjoy Arkansas Roots Ride Between A-State Heritage Sites, Arkansas man wins $5.75 million lottery prize, I just have a feeling that a lot of murderers, at some pointthese [killers] told somebody, Jared said. (KTHV) - We've shared with you 10 unexplained mysteries of Arkansas, but don't think it stops there. Police assume he cut it up into little pieces (greatly reducing its value) and kept it. Uncovered is where the most passionate true crime enthusiasts can learn from and teach others. When a case goes cold its especially haunting to remember that there are actual people out there either waiting for their stories to be told or desperately trying to hide a secret from the world. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Rector survived the surgery and was put on trial, his defense arguing that Rector was intellectually impaired and not competent to stand trial. At around 10:30 p.m., Morgan asked her mother if she could catch lightning bugs with her friends. Kentucky detective investigating possible connection between 2011 - MSN A successful businesswoman,Shannon Hercutt founded her company,Auntie Belham's Realty and Nightly Rentals, as the demand for vacation rental properties in the Great Smoky Mountains skyrocketed in the 1990s. He watches the waves prod it landward and his imagination plays over the shape. Ted Hercutt, for example, said the SUV's airbags did not deploy,there were no skid marks at the scene and an electronic device in the Escalade showed it was going just 7 mph before it wrecked. Bidding farewell to their new acquaintance who said he was on his way to, of all places, Nashville the two officers left. Her body was found in a nearby ditch. Robert L. Tex Roberts wasperhaps still isan aging, eccentric, cigar-smoking millionaire. No conclusive proof of their cause of death has ever been established. The victim was a young blonde, and she had been savagely beaten before being shot in the. Some of those chapters chronicle Holocaust survivors that Jared interviewed throughout the years. Jimmy Dunn, the districtattorney general, declined to comment. Despite Rector's mental state, then Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton made a point of returning to Arkansas to oversee Rector's January 24, 1992 execution during the 1992 U.S. Presidential campaign. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. According to this same report, in 2019, 242 people were murdered in Arkansas. Vance was reportedly a fan of Pressly, and was a frequent viewer of her morning news show. 6720, he said. The victim of the gangland-style slaying was Randy Farenthold, a 32- year-old Corpus Christi playboy euphemistically described as a sportsman in press accounts. Rumors swirled. New book investigates unsolved murders across Northeast Arkansas New book investigates unsolved murders across Northeast Arkansas. Clinton's far-right critics pounced on the murder. If youre interested in learning about the statistics surrounding the number of murders in Arkansas by year, multiple law enforcement agencies offer reports and statistics on their websites. Deputy dining at IHOP makes arrest for disorderly conduct, JONESBORO Arkansas State University has released the list of students who were awarded diplomas on the undergraduate and graduate levels during the 2017 Spring Commencement ceremony May 13 in the Convocation Center. An El Paso truck driver reported seeing a black sedan following the Packard early on the afternoon of the murders; several hours later the two cars passed him going the opposite direction, followed closely by a third car with mysterious markings on the side. Some of the most famous Arkansas murders that made and remained in headline news for an extended period of time, and are still considered some notorious Arkansas criminals, include former NFL player Raphel Cherry, who killed his wife in 1999; Curtis Vance, who murdered popular news anchor Anne Pressley in 2008; and Christina Riggs, who killed her two young children in 1997, among many other Arkansas famous murders.