When a young Arkansas woman is abducted in plain sight from a busy parking lot, she isn’t seen again until her remains are found in a remote corner of the Ozark National Forest. Investigators continue a decades-long search for a cruel killer in this episode of Last Seen Alive .
Melissa Witt was 19-years-old when she was abducted from her hometown of Fort Smith, Arkansas and murdered. She was the only child of her mother, with whom she was particularly close. She was on her way to enjoy dinner with her mom when she was ambushed by her killer. Image source: family photo.
Pictured: a Times Record newspaper clipping from shortly after Melissa’s December 1st, 1994 abduction.
Pictured: the route between Fort Smith (where Melissa was abducted from) and the woodland location where her remains were ultimately found. The two locations are approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) apart. Image source: Google Maps.
At the time of her disappearance and death, Melissa worked part-time as a dental assistant while also attending a local community college. She was studying to become a dental hygienist.
Travis Crouch (aka “Skull” or “Tramp”) is a convicted, violent sexual predator currently serving time in prison. He was from the area where Melissa’s remains were found, and was familiar with the wooded location. He was reportedly seen driving in the area that Melissa was abducted from on the night of her abduction. He has not been charged with any crimes in relation to her abduction or death. Image source: Colorado Department of Corrections.
Pictured: the location where Melissa’s remains were abandoned. Image source: police photo.
Melissa is remembered by those who knew her as kind, fun-loving, and an optimist.
Sources used to research this episode:
Justice for Missy Witt (Marla Cantrell / Do South Magazine )
Murder Mystery: The Mickey Mouse Killer, Part 1 (Janie Jones / About You Magazine)
A Retired Detective and an Arkansas Woman are Working to Solve Melissa Witt’s Murder (Jordan Howington / THV11 News)
Murdered: Melissa Witt (uncovered.com)
Melissa Witt’s Body Found 22 Years Ago; Investigation Still Open (Jo Ellison / 5 News Online)
Death Row Inmate Sought For Questioning In Melissa Witt Murder (Jo Ellison / News 5 Online)
Murder Mystery: The Mickey Mouse Killer, Part 1 (Janie Jones / About You Magazine)
Aid for Domestic-Violence Victims Clears Senate (Kathleen Hunter / Arkansas Democrat Gazette)
History of the Violence Against Women Act (legalmomentum.org)
Parnell v. C & N Bowl Corp. Civil No. 96-2106 (casetext.com)
The Role Of Scientific Forensic Evidence Questioned In Pending Texas Execution (David Martin Davies / Texas Public Radio)
Who Killed Missy Witt Team Holds Press Conference on 27th Anniversary of Kidnapping (Abby Ross / Fort Smith Times Record)
Did The River Valley Killer Kidnap A Teenage Girl From A Bowling Alley Parking Lot And Murder Her? (Becca van Sambeck / Oxygen)
To Catch a Killer (Scott Smith / Southwest Times Record)
Local Serial Killer To Be Featured On Investigation Discovery (Laura Simon / 5 News Online)
Arkansas Police Called Him A ‘Monster.’ Where Is The River Valley Killer Now?Arkansas Police Called Him A ‘Monster.’ Where Is The River Valley Killer Now? (Joe Dziemianowicz / Oxygen)
If you know anything about the murder of Melissa Witt, please contact the Fort Smith Police Department at 479-709-5000.
This sounds like an interesting case! I’ll have to give it a listen.
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