AR AR - Christopher Todd Armstrong, 18, Magnolia, 7 Mar 1998

[Gardener1850]

Christopher Todd Armstrong

• 

Armstrong, circa 1998

• Missing Since 03/07/1998
• Missing From Magnolia, Arkansas
• Classification Endangered Missing
• Age 18 years old
• Height and Weight 5'3, 130 pounds
• Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian male. Brown hair, brown eyes. Armstrong has a tattoo on his left arm.

Details of Disappearance
Armstrong was last seen leaving a residence in Magnolia, Arkansas on March 7, 1998. He has never been heard from again. His vehicle was found unlocked and abandoned in front of the Castle Inn in Magnolia. His keys and wallet were on the passenger floorboard and his clothes, shoes and underwear were in the backseat.

Kenny Wayne Whiddon subsequently pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Armstrong's death and was sentenced to twenty years in prison. Armstrong's body has never been found, however. Foul play is suspected in his case due to the circumstances involved.

Christopher Todd Armstrong – The Charley Project

NAMUS: The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

Doe Network: 5100DMAR - Christopher Todd Armstrong

AR "Never Forgotten" Site: Details

 

[mlhenn]

Christopher Todd Armstrong – The Charley Project

Last updated December 17, 2020; details of disappearance updated.


Details of Disappearance
Armstrong was last seen leaving a residence in Magnolia, Arkansas on March 7, 1998. He has never been heard from again. His vehicle was found unlocked and abandoned in front of the Castle Inn in Magnolia. His keys and wallet were on the passenger floorboard and his clothes, shoes and underwear were in the backseat.

A month later, police got a tip from a woman who said Kenny Wayne Whiddon Jr. had confessed to her that he'd killed Armstrong after an altercation. He allegedly stated he beat Armstrong and strangled him with a belt, then stole his jewelry and sold it and traded it for drugs, and stole his car and abandoned it. When police spoke with Kenny, he said he had only witnessed the murder and that his brother, Michael Whiddon, was the actual killed. Authorities interviewed Michael, who said Kenny had killed Armstrong and that he had helped Kenny hide the body.

The Whiddon brothers led police to a wooded area where they said Armstrong had been killed and where his body had been left, but searches of that area didn't turn up any human remains.

Kenny was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in Armstrong's case, and Michael was charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution. He had three prior felony convictions. In a plea agreement with the prosecution, Kenny pleaded guilty to manslaughter and two counts of theft, and in March 1999 he was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He was released in July 2008, but has been in trouble with the law multiple times since then.

Armstrong's body has never been found.

 

[mlhenn]

Despite manslaughter conviction, body still missing 22 years later


Whiddon, Jr. entered a plea agreement that brought the charge down to manslaughter; he also pleaded guilty to two counts of theft. He had three prior felony convictions before prosecution began in this case. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison by Circuit Judge Larry Chandler on March 25, 1999 and was released on July 22, 2008, before being arrested again two years later for terroristic threatening, with records indicating the victim there was a 15-year-old juvenile.

His latest court appearance occurred August 1, 2019, for possession of controlled substance (Schedule I/II) methamphetamine or cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and tampering with physical evidence.

According to a report from the Arkansas State Police, Whiddon, Jr. and Michael Whiddon took officers to the wooded area where they said the incident occurred and where the body was allegedly left. The body has never been recovered despite extensive searches of the area.

According to Arkansas State Police Public Information Officer Bill Sadler, a thorough review of existing records associated with the Armstrong case has been recently completed.

“No record, nor any form of follow-up information has been identified indicating Armstrong’s body was recovered,” Sadler stated in an email.

Armstrong is not the only missing person from Columbia County. Mary Jimmie Shinn, Petrita S. Harris and James David Hunter are also listed on the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Any additional information on the whereabouts of these individuals can be submitted to the Magnolia Police Department by calling 870-234-2323.