MO MO- Kelle Ann Workman, 24, abducted while mowing grass @ Dogwood Cemetery, her body found 10 miles away, Douglas County, 30 June '89, *New 3 arrests*

[imstilla.grandma]

All three are scheduled to appear in court on March 5.

Authorities did not provide information on the tipster who came forward, or any more details about what information was shared.
"We're gonna have live witnesses," Weatherman said.

"They're gonna testify to what they know, what they saw and what
they think, and we're gonna let the jury sort it out."

Officials said Workman's family is relieved and told law enforcement they "never thought this day would come."

"I think we're able to give Kelle some justice and hopefully give the family some closure," Degase said

Police tip-off blows 1989 murder case wide open

Kelle Ann Workman vanished while mowing the lawn of a cemetery. Now, three men have been arrested and charg...

www.9news.com.au

 

[Ladyotm]

According to this article, a witness will testify. Interesting. Dwight Banks has spoken out about the case with the media in the past. I wonder if he will testify against his brother. I also wonder if Wiley remained close to them after the murder.
I am elated with the number of cold cases being solved and the offenders being held accountable when possible.
RIP to Kelle Anne and prayers for all those that loved and cared for her.

With 3 suspects arrested, here's a timeline of the Kelle Ann Workman case

From the search for Kelle Ann Workman in 1989 to new leads and a grand jury indictment this week, here are key dates in the case.

www.news-leader.com

 

[Ladyotm]

All three are scheduled to appear in court on March 5.

Authorities did not provide information on the tipster who came forward, or any more details about what information was shared.
"We're gonna have live witnesses," Weatherman said.

"They're gonna testify to what they know, what they saw and what
they think, and we're gonna let the jury sort it out."

Officials said Workman's family is relieved and told law enforcement they "never thought this day would come."

"I think we're able to give Kelle some justice and hopefully give the family some closure," Degase said

Police tip-off blows 1989 murder case wide open

Kelle Ann Workman vanished while mowing the lawn of a cemetery. Now, three men have been arrested and charg...

www.9news.com.au

Thanks for sharing this article! What a horrific secret to keep all these years. Perhaps others who know what happened will come forward as well.

 

[Betty P]

Thanks for sharing this article! What a horrific secret to keep all these years. Perhaps others who know what happened will come forward as well.

Interesting timeline too. They had DNA they tested in 1999, but didn't act on it for whatever reason. One of the suspects failed a poly.

 

[dotr]

Nov. 26, 2025

Charges dropped against one of 3 men in Kelle Ann Workman cold case

Wiley Belt was one of three men charged last year with kidnapping, rape and murder in Kelle Ann Workman's 1989 death.

www.news-leader.com

''Charges against one of three men accused in relation to a 1989 Ozarks homicide in Douglas County have been dropped.

Douglas County Prosecutor Matthew Weatherman filed a dismissal of the charges against Wiley Belt on Wednesday, Nov. 26. With one more case in the death of Kelle Ann Workman still pending, he told the News-Leader he could not share further information at this time. Once that case is closed, Weatherman said more information will be publicized.''

Belt was indicted by grand jury in early 2024 alongside brothers Bobby Banks and Leonard "Dwight" Banks for the murder, kidnapping and rape of Workman. Of the three defendants, Belt was the only one released on bond in March 2024. Belt was represented by Springfield attorney Joseph Passanise, who in a news release stated his client did not know the Banks brothers.''

 

[dotr]

Dec 4, 2025
Man accused in 1989 cold case in Douglas County pleads guilty
Dec. 4, 2025 rbbm

1 of 3 men accused in 1989 cold case in Douglas County pleads guilty

A man accused of the death of a woman in 1989 in Douglas County pleaded guilty to amended charges.

www.ky3.com

''AVA, Mo. (KY3) - A man accused of the death of a woman in 1989 in Douglas County pleaded guilty to amended charges.

Bobby Lee Banks pleaded guilty to a second-degree murder charge in the death of Kelle Ann Workman. The state agreed to drop kidnapping and forcible rape charges in return.

In November, the prosecutor dropped charges against Wiley Belt. Earlier this year, Leonard Banks pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and is serving 15 years in prison.'

Bobby Lee Banks in mugshot.
Douglas County Sheriff's Department

Leonard "Dwight" Banks in mugshot.
Douglas County Sheriff's Department

'Give Kelle Some Justice': Mo. Woman Was Found Slain in Creek in 1989. 3 Men Were Just Arrested

Wiley Belt and brothers Leonard "Dwight" Banks and Bobby Lee Banks have been arrested for the 1989 murder of Kelle Ann Workman;

people.com

 

[Betty P]

It’s a shame the prosecutor reduced the charges against these two killers. Perhaps he was concerned that a local jury might find them innocent of serious murder charges after so many years. You have to wonder if there were other people who kept this secret over the years.

The local newspaper, which continued to cover the case over the years, cited archival clippings in which they reported in 1990 that Bobby had allegedly failed a polygraph test regarding the incident, and that his ex-girlfriend told law enforcement that he had not had an alibi for the evening Workman went missing.