AR AR - Melissa 'Missy' Witt, 19, murdered, Fort Smith, 1 Dec 1994

[Ibiz]

Hard to say. It doesn't seem that there is anyone around to provide any help or info about this case, and I wonder if her parents are still alive.

This is indeed a very sad case, and I hope someone familiar with the area jumps in and helps. Maybe with maps and photos of the bowling alley area.

I don't think there would have been cameras in the lot where she was abducted.

 

[allmybecsloveme]

Hard to say. It doesn't seem that there is anyone around to provide any help or info about this case, and I wonder if her parents are still alive.

This is indeed a very sad case, and I hope someone familiar with the area jumps in and helps. Maybe with maps and photos of the bowling alley area.

I don't think there would have been cameras in the lot where she was abducted.

I'm from the area. I was a small child then, but from my understanding it (the parking lot and alley) hasn't really changed. I don't think there are cameras there now even, but I may be incorrect.

I can try to get some photos and stuff of the parking lot. The area around it has changed some since then, there are now new roads in that small area.

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[allmybecsloveme]

Also, I am slightly familiar with Turner Bend as well. I've been there I think twice, to canoe on the Mulberry River. In my opinion if someone dumped her body there, it was someone very familiar with the area.

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[allmybecsloveme]

I think the poster just basicly said he's familiar with the area. Evidently he believes it to be a logging road.

This is a horrible crime that this buetiful young lady certainly did not deserve. It would be very helpful to know what was going on in her life about a year up until this happened?

Also, I would like to know if there was any truck stops around the bowling ally area?

Yes - one VERY close literally across highway 71. I'll ask around and see what year it was built. My guess is before 1994. It isn't a big truck stop at all. Interstate 540 is probably 1/2 mile from Bowling World, very close to the exit.

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[Ibiz]

Is it a gas station truck stop where truckers can sleep and stuff?

Also, it appears that the bowling alley was built around 1991. Does that sound correct?

I would like to know if the parking lot is hidden from street view?

 

[allmybecsloveme]

Is it a gas station truck stop where truckers can sleep and stuff?

Also, it appears that the bowling alley was built around 1991. Does that sound correct?

I would like to know if the parking lot is hidden from street view?

Yes, not anywhere near the size of a Pilot or Love's though. Very small truck stop.

1991 sounds about right for the bowling alley. You CANNOT see Bowling World from the highway. There are some side roads from 71, and the one that leads to Bowling World actually leads straight into a cul-de-sac looking circle, then to the right is Bowling World's parking lot. There are no other buildings off of that circle, so it is a pretty secluded building from that area.

To the right of Bowling World I am trying to remember if you can see a few car lots, but even if so I think they are newer and would not have been there then. In fact, it wouldn't shock me if there were more trees back then. That is something I can ask my mom. I may be heading that way tomorrow, if so I will take some photos but I can't make any promises. If not I'll do it very soon!

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[Ibiz]

Here's what I was able to pull up with Google Earth.



What is that building across the parking lot with the three driveways? Also, if her car was found in the Northwest corner of the lot, would that be up toward the bowling alley building?

It seems that both of her parents have passed.

Moms Obituary

http://m.legacy.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Mary-Witt&lc=4727&pid=149529193&mid=4602360

Father's Obituary

http://m.sequoyahcountytimes.com/archives/article_85159933-e563-5390-b21f-8a1ed6aa18b6.html?mode=jqm

I'm still trying to find the location on a map where MW was found, and maybe try to figure out a route the killer would have taken. You did say you've been to the area?

Here's what I came up with so far:

 

[Ibiz]

On December 1 2015, it has been twenty-one years since Melissa Witt disappeared. Faith Walk Pictures and Let's Bring Them Home have partnered together to produce a documentary about Melissa's abduction and murder. According to Amy Smith, Executive Director of Let's Bring Them Home, "a film crew has generously donated their time and resources to help make this documentary a possibility."

https://m.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1654181654856818&id=1645684015706582

The first interviews for the project will be conducted next week with the Fort Smith Police Department. According to Amy Smith, "most of the details of the documentary will be kept under wraps until the release date in early March."

I do find it somewhat odd that someone would be kidnapped from a bowling alley parking lot around 6 or 7 in the evening. It makes me wonder if MW could have been followed there? I say this because someone just sitting in the parking would have been seen by someone.

I have also read:

Defendant employs a private security service which provided security for the premises on weekends and alternate weekdays. There was no security present on the date of decedent's disappearance. While bloodstains were found near decedent's car on defendant's parking lot, there appears to be no evidence yet available to explain what may have happened to decedent at the parking lot or to explain how she came to be killed and left in Franklin County.

http://www.leagle.com/decision/19972280954FSupp1326_12114/PARNELL v. C & N BOWL CORP., INC

I guess I'm wondering. Wouldn't the kidnapper have to know which days the security guards would not be there?

 

[allmybecsloveme]

Here's what I was able to pull up with Google Earth.

View attachment 87019

What is that building across the parking lot with the three driveways? Also, if her car was found in the Northwest corner of the lot, would that be up toward the bowling alley building?

It seems that both of her parents have passed.

Moms Obituary

http://m.legacy.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Mary-Witt&lc=4727&pid=149529193&mid=4602360

Father's Obituary

http://m.sequoyahcountytimes.com/archives/article_85159933-e563-5390-b21f-8a1ed6aa18b6.html?mode=jqm

I'm still trying to find the location on a map where MW was found, and maybe try to figure out a route the killer would have taken. You did say you've been to the area?

Here's what I came up with so far:

View attachment 87020

I've been to that area, but "Turner's Bend" is very general. It is a secluded, wooded, huge area.

As for that map...my husband says those business have been there for a while. But since 1994, I can't confirm right now. He thinks one of them is Paper Clip (for office supplies). I checked out their Facebook, it says they have been serving the area for over 25 years, which would be around 1991 at least. But that doesn't mean they have always been in that building. I will ask about that as well. Also, if we are saying northwest that would be the far left side of the lot. I *think* the bottom left if looking at the map. Highway 71 is going north, the bowling alley is facing west. Does that sound right? I'm trying not to sound too confusing.

I have always assumed someone followed her there. Back then, that was one of very few places to find teens "hanging out", so I suppose it would have been possible someone was just waiting for a victim. However we don't just have a bunch of missing persons in the area. We do have a few others, like Morgan Nick, who disappeared in June of 1995. Melissa and Morgan are the two big missing persons from our area, even to this day. They still have not found Morgan.

I find it unlikely that a trucker did this. If so, I feel he was very familiar with the area to find her at Bowling World and dump her near Turner's Bend. Also, a semi would be very out of place in both areas - so another vehicle would be a must.

In my opinion it was a local, and someone who knew her, but anything is possible.


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[allmybecsloveme]

Unconfirmed...but apparently those buildings in the back of the lot *have* been there since 1991ish. I guess I am not the best person to ask, because I don't recall them. Terrible memory. But two people say they've been there for 25ish years, give or take.

Not sure if any of them would have been open during that time of evening.

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[Ibiz]

I find it unlikely that a trucker did this. If so, I feel he was very familiar with the area to find her at Bowling World and dump her near Turner's Bend. Also, a semi would be very out of place in both areas - so another vehicle would be a must.

In my opinion it was a local, and someone who knew her, but anything is possible.


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I agree as well. The trucker idea was a thought I've since dismissed. I'm wondering at this point if she may have stumbled upon a crime: like someone(s) breaking into a vehicle or something else.

 

[LR1]

Here's what the place looked like in 94 according to Google Earth's historical imagery.
No three driveway structure, two ways in and out.

Not positive it's accurate though as I've seen the same imagery for different years.

 

[Ibiz]

Here's what the place looked like in 94 according to Google Earth's historical imagery.
No three driveway structure, two ways in and out.

Not positive it's accurate though as I've seen the same imagery for different years.

Very interesting. It doesn't seem that the lot had any lights back then ether.

 

[scriptgirl]

What gets me is the 2 voices-the man and woman who called in about her body.

 

[LR1]

Very interesting. It doesn't seem that the lot had any lights back then ether.

Looks like it would have been pretty dark out in the lot away from the entrance.
I wonder why the car was parked in the northwest portion, would it have been that crowded on a Thursday night?

What gets me is the 2 voices-the man and woman who called in about her body.

Me too. I wonder why this aspect wasn't mentioned in the recent interview with the investigator. Surely they would still like to speak with him/them.

 

[Ibiz]

What gets me is the 2 voices-the man and woman who called in about her body.

Yes apparently a man stumbled upon MW's body in the woods, and for whatever reason he moved it around some. So this also leaves questions as to whether he might have taken anything as well? Apparently LE believes the woman on the phone with him was his grandmother.

 

[Ibiz]

Looks like it would have been pretty dark out in the lot away from the entrance.
I wonder why the car was parked in the northwest portion, would it have been that crowded on a Thursday night?

There was a bowling alley not far from my home when I was growing up. From what I remember, any night when bowling leagues were playing things got really busy.

From what I see in pics, this bowling alley seems to be a lot bigger so I don't really know if the lot would have been full. I guess I just assumed that it would of had to have been.

I will say that from articles I read, a large pool of blood was found by MW's car. Police believe she was dragged to another vehicle and placed in a trunk or truck bed. My belief is the only way they would know this is if there was some sort of blood tail that indicated it. I wouldn't think they were just assuming?

This also reminds me of an FBI files episode I saw where a woman was kidnapped in a parking garage. On the cement they found drag marks from the heels of her shoes, but we don't know what type of shoes MW was wearing.

Among the large pool of blood; also MW's keys, smashed hair clip, and earring was found in the bowling alley parking lot.

Between 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m, Missy arrived at Bowling World, but she never made it inside to surprise her mother. In fact, law enforcement believes that a man was waiting in the parking lot… hunting for a victim. It is believed that this man approached Missy, and a struggle ensued when she rejected him. That struggle didn’t last long, because the assailant allegedly hit her on the head with a blunt object, then dragged her to his car, where it is suspected he placed her body in the trunk or truck bed.

The only clues left behind in the parking lot of Bowling World were a gold hoop earring, a crushed hair clip, Missy’s car keys, and a large pool of blood. Missy’s car was discovered at the bowling alley two days after she was reported missing. Her keys had been picked up and turned in to the front desk of the bowling alley. At the time, nobody noticed dried blood on the keys, but after further investigation, Missy’s keys were found to have traces of blood on them.

 

[LR1]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/...cle_83a55765-61ac-5ff1-8508-04357a21eb04.html

A 1995 Tulsa World article on the Witt and Nick cases. It talks about another POI in Melissa's case other than the two mentioned up-thread. A known multiple sex offender who left town shortly after Melissa disappeared, NDJ, aka DDM.

He was found in a Brevard County, Fl. jail after bothering a 15 year old girl on a beach. He was wanted in Ark. for terroristic threatening, fought extradition at first then waived and was brought back. The article says they had to rule him out after talking to him without giving an explanation

If I have the right guy he would have been 54 in 94 and died in 2010. This article also mentions Melissa being found on a mountain top logging road.

 

[Ibiz]

I did read that.. Here are some notes I put together.

Dec. 1, 1994, authorities believe, Missy parked her 1995 Mitsubishi Mirage in the northwest corner of the parking lot sometime after 6 p.m.

Two witnesses told police they heard a woman screaming, but that is as much as anyone saw or heard.

Police knew they had an abduction on their hands after finding signs of a struggle near Missy's car. Her earring, hair clip and blood were there.

http://thecabin.net/stories/121399/sta_1213990012.html#.VpTvaNm9LTo

Witt's partially decomposed, nude body was found by a trapper Jan, 13, 45 miles away, a few yards from a mountaintop logging trail.

http://m.tulsaworld.com/archives/mu...765-61ac-5ff1-8508-04357a21eb04.html?mode=jqm

The killer had taken Missy’s long-sleeved v-neck shirt, blue jeans, undergarments, purse, wallet, remaining gold hoop earring, and brown-banded Mickey Mouse watch. To date, police are still searching for anyone who might know the current whereabouts of these items.

http://whokilledmelissawitt.com

Oddly her shoes were never mentioned?

Investigators also believe that the the killer was familiar with the area… he could be a local or someone who came into the area from out of state on a regular basis to hunt. Investigators also believe the rock near where Missy’s body was discovered holds some significance to the killer.

http://whokilledmelissawitt.com/profile-of-a-killer/

Video cameras set up at the site where Witt’s body was found captured images of people, vehicles and license plate numbers in the days following the discovery, Best said.

http://www.justice4caylee.org/t3092-melissa-missy-witt-19-yo-1994-fort-smith-ar


Six months after Melissa Witt disappeared, on 6-year-old Morgan Nick was kidnapped from an Alma Little League ball park.

By setting up cameras were the body was found makes me think that investigators believed the killer used the tombstone like rock to mark where MW was at, so he could come back and find her again.

 

[LR1]

He would have been familiar with that spot no question about it. Some of the old articles have LE looking hard at TC. He supposedly was seen around the bowling alley in a car on the night she was taken but the car not processed until 4 years later, after his arrest in boulder for the alleged assault there. I'm wondering if it wasn't until that arrest that he come on there radar. He lived, hunted, worked in the area. No clue on his current status.