GUILTY CO - Jonelle Matthews, 12, found deceased, Greeley, 20 Dec 1984 *arrest 2020* #2

[cuffem]

I just went back and re-listened to an episode with Norris’ interview to make sure I was remembering this right. He does mention it as well, so I agree I don’t think that can be used to show guilt.

Half the town probably knew this detail, just takes one person to tell another and soon it spreads. I see no solid evidence Pankey committed this murder, only an ex wife's comments of his interest in the case and a clue about the crime that many probably knew from gossip.
This does not make him a murderer and I agree that Norris makes a better suspect.

 

[Cyndip]

So, I am new to this forum or any other for that matter. But I was so aggravated about the Steve panky case involving jonelle matthews murder and the lack of proof in his conviction. Wondering if there is something I missed. Granted the guy is very strange but thankfully that's not a crime. Does anyone know if he had an alibi? Or what the jailhouse informant got out of the deal?

 

[steeltowngirl]

So, I am new to this forum or any other for that matter. But I was so aggravated about the Steve panky case involving jonelle matthews murder and the lack of proof in his conviction. Wondering if there is something I missed. Granted the guy is very strange but thankfully that's not a crime. Does anyone know if he had an alibi? Or what the jailhouse informant got out of the deal?

Welcome to Websleuths @Cyndip!
He wrote his own unsolicited alibi letter. I don’t know if the jailhouse informant received anything. Maybe someone else can weigh in. I just learned of this case from the recent Dateline episode.

In 2013, Pankey allegedly sent an “alibi” document to law enforcement, claiming that he was in California on Dec. 21, 1984, the morning after Jonelle went missing. “The document contained false statements and superfluous details,” according to the indictment.

Read more at: https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/crime/article246429250.html#storylink=cpy

 

[imstilla.grandma]

PANKEY, STEVEN D Name: PANKEY, STEVEN D Age: 72 Ethnicity: WHITE Gender: MALE Hair Color: BLONDE Eye Color: GRAY Height: 5' 10" Weight: 182 DOC Number: 195622 Est. Parole Eligibility Date: 10/01/2040 Next Parole Hearing Date: Nov 2040 This offender is scheduled on the Parole Board agenda for the month and year above. Please contact the facility case manager for the exact date. Est. Mandatory Release Date: 01/20/9999 Est. Sentence Discharge Date: Current Facility Assignment: ARKANSAS VALLEY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY CURRENT CONVICTIONS Sentence Date Sentence County Case No. 10/31/2022 Life with Parole WELD 20CR1866

CDOC Offender Search

www.doc.state.co.us

*for the record

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[MerBeach]

DNA analyst in Northern Colorado fired over handling of evidence, charges pending

A Weld County Sheriff's Office DNA analyst of over 10 years has been fired for alleged mishandling of evidence and the sheriff's office is now pursuing criminal charges. It's the second case of this nature in Colorado in about four months.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[MissLaura]

Oxygen is featuring a special/documentary on the Jonelle Matthews case sometime this summer:

All the New True Crime Series and Specials Coming to Oxygen, from Dateline: The Smoking Gun To Philly Homicide | Oxygen Official Site

Read about the seven new series and specials coming to Oxygen True Crime in the summer and fall of 2024 and winter 2025, from Philly Homicide to A Plan to Kill.

www.oxygen.com

 

[LinasK]

Welcome to Websleuths @Cyndip!
He wrote his own unsolicited alibi letter. I don’t know if the jailhouse informant received anything. Maybe someone else can weigh in. I just learned of this case from the recent Dateline episode.

In 2013, Pankey allegedly sent an “alibi” document to law enforcement, claiming that he was in California on Dec. 21, 1984, the morning after Jonelle went missing. “The document contained false statements and superfluous details,” according to the indictment.

Read more at: https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/crime/article246429250.html#storylink=cpy

The morning after is irrelevant. He could have flown or driven all night to get to CA from Colorado.

 

[Kittybunny]

The morning after is irrelevant. He could have flown or driven all night to get to CA from Colorado.

Totally. Pankey is really a piece of work, isn't he? So happy he's finally behind bars where he belongs!

 

[dogface 82]

This my first time so any corrections are appreciated. This reference another cold case victim previously mentioned on this thread.

Marjorie Fithian was murdered on a rural Colorado road between Greeley and Denver in 1975. Her son a toddler was found alive holding her hand.

Donald Nemachek raped and murdered two Colorado women December 1974. He left one of them's son a toddler outside to die. He did. He abducted, raped and killed two more young women summer 1976. He was convicted of these crimes in Western Kansas. He is alive and in prison.
Has he ever been investigated for this Central Colorado crime?

 

[MissLaura]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1822014998371242494

 

[GoBuckeyes]

So, I am new to this forum or any other for that matter. But I was so aggravated about the Steve panky case involving jonelle matthews murder and the lack of proof in his conviction. Wondering if there is something I missed. Granted the guy is very strange but thankfully that's not a crime. Does anyone know if he had an alibi? Or what the jailhouse informant got out of the deal?

I don't think you missed anything. You're right; he is very strange. But as you pointed out, that's not a crime. He seems to have craved attention or importance so much that he has inserted himself into several cases, at least once of which was solved, and he was not the perpetrator. moo

 

[GoBuckeyes]

What a peculiar case. On the face of it, it sounds to me like the now-deceased neighbor was the better suspect. jmoo

 

[dotr]

By Brett M Malec Aug 23, 2024 rbbm

Murderer's Ex-Wife Breaks Cold Case Wide Open After 35 Years in Girl on the Milk Carton Preview - E! Online

In E! News' exclusive first look at Oxygen's Girl on the Milk Carton, Jonelle Matthews' murder case is reopened 35 years after the 12-year-old disappeared in 1984 thanks to her killer's ex-wife.

www.eonline.com

'Angela would later reveal the crucial evidence that ultimately led to Steve's 2022 conviction for kidnapping and murdering Jonelle. He's currently serving life in prison with the possibility of parole. (Steve maintained his innocence throughout the trial.)

Go inside Angela's decades-long journey for justice when The Girl on the Milk Carton airs Sunday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m. on Oxygen.'