South Williamson, KY Area Cold Cases

Name

Harold Smith

Age

67

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On april 24, 1983, three juveniles found the remains of 25yr old harold smith in an old abandoned strip mine pond, off of morgan county road 23 in holmes township. Smith was last seen on december 5, 1982.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Brittany Stykes

Age

33

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 08/28/2013, 22yr old brittany stykes was found murdered in her jeep along us 68, south of gooselick road in brown county, ohio. Stykes' 14-month-old daughter was also shot in the head, but survived. There is a $50,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in the death of brittany stykes. Contact the brown county sheriff's office at (937) 378-4435 ext 126.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

David Gayhart

Age

61

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

In november of 1992, a missing person report was filed with the manchester police department (presently adams county sheriff's office). David gayhart was last seen playing cards at approximately 3:00am at a housing project in manchester, ohio. Information obtained during the initial investigation suggests a physical altercation occurred between david and an unknown person(s). Approximately 16 months later, on july 30, 1993, david's remains were recovered inside his 1984 ford thunderbird which had been located submerged in the ohio river.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Deshawn King

Age

18

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 01/30/2013, Investigator responded to a shooting at Linden Avenue. Victim was found in the vehicle with gunshot wounds at 310 East New Street.

Agency

Knoxville

Name

Leroy Tharp

Age

59

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

07/05/2001; Found stabbed near a storage trailer at 2209 N. Central Avenue

Agency

Knoxville

Name

Mary Osborne

Age

51

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Mary rebecca osborne was reported missing on 05/17/2017. She was last seen on 05/14/2017. Becky had been out with a friend, her son, and her son's girlfriend for mother's day. It is reported that she became upset and demanded to be let out of the car because her son wanted her to go stay at his house. Mary was let out approximately 1 mile from where she was staying with a male subject on hale gap road. Search and rescue along with other emergency services did a search of the area with no success.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Kayla Eitel

Age

26

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Portsmouth Police Department

Name

Zachary Avina

Age

49

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

Agency

Pike County Sheriff's Office

Name

Harry Smith

Age

102

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

In the early sunday morning hours of october 16, 2011, one or more people entered into the home of harry smith. Smith was later found deceased in his home, and it appears the suspect(s) took several items. They also set the home on fire before they left. A $10,000 reward is available for information that leads to the conviction of the individual(s) that committed this homicide.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Joshua Starcher

Age

45

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On february 11, 2011, joshua a. Starcher was found dead in his vehicle on vinegar street in pomeroy, ohio suffering a gunshot wound. Starcher was last seen at approximately 12:30 pm on 02/11/11 when he informed his girlfriend that he was going to meet someone and would be back. Starcher never returned and his body was found by a person driving along vinegar street.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Thelma Mooney

Age

103

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On sunday, february 18, 2007, family members discovered eighty-five (85) year old thelma mooney dead in her home at 1604 thomas street, ironton, ohio. Ironton police immediately began a murder investigation after it was discovered mooney had died as a result of foul play. Although police identified a suspect at that time, the charges were eventually dismissed without prejudice.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Curtis Francis

Age

52

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On december 9th, 2006, jennifer burgette and curtis francis were found murdered in their home. Both had been shot during the overnight hours. The pike county sheriff's office followed up on numerous leads and completed a thorough investigation, however, not enough information was obtained to solve this homicide. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the pike county sheriff's office or submit a tip.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Jennifer Burgette

Age

48

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On december 9th, 2006, jennifer burgette and curtis francis were found murdered in their home. Both had been shot during the overnight hours. The pike county sheriff's office followed up on numerous leads and completed a thorough investigation, however, not enough information was obtained to solve this homicide. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the pike county sheriff's office or submit a tip.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Barbara Hagy

Age

48

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On april 16, 1989 the body of barbara jean hagy was discovered lying in the road at the entrance to a sand quarry, in the pugh mountain area of smyth county, virginia. The victim was found to be laying on her back, with sand packed over the head and neck areas. The body was nude. The cause of death was asphyxia due to blunt injuries to the head, face and neck. Michael mcgay reeves of smyth county was the main suspect on this case, plus he was suspected in other rape/murder and assault cases in smyth and grayson counties. Reeves has been on death row in north carolina for other murders, since 1994. Vicap # 1993va00017

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Samuel Riser

Age

61

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Cold case spotlight samuel riser had just paid his december rent and mailed out a letter; then he disappeared. The 61-year-old glasgow, west virginia man has not been seen or heard from since december 8, 2010. Blood was discovered in his home during a welfare check after mr. Riser didn’t show up for work. Police responded to the scene and, while remaining tight-lipped about the investigation, acknowledge that foul play is suspected in samuel riser’s disappearance. Investigators have said publicly that they have received a lot of tips, but keep hitting dead ends. They have asked that anyone with information reach out to them in this unsolved case. Mr. Riser, known by some as sam or dickie, was a hard-working, loving father. His children have kept fighting to find their dad, all along knowing the likely outcome. Mr. Riser’s information has been uploaded to namus, a database that provides an opportunity for families, law enforcement agencies and investigators to search nationwide for missing persons using a variety of powerful search features. His case was also featured on the charley project, a website that profiles approximately 9,500 “cold case” missing people, mainly from the united states. Project cold case is featuring mr. Riser’s case in conjunction with the week of the 6th anniversary of his disappearance and asking, on behalf of his family, that you share his case on social media in hopes that someone will come forward with answers. If you have any information about the disappearance of samuel riser, no matter how small you think it is, please call the kanawha county sheriff’s office at (304) 357-0156.

Agency

Kanawha County Sheriff's Office

Name

Cleo Burdette

Age

78

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Cold case spotlight on august 13, 2004, cleo burdette was beaten to death in his on home. The victim's sister found him the next morning after he didn't answer her phone call. Investigators found broken windows, a cut phone line and a ransacked home and believe robbery may have been the motive. Mr. Burdette was a cattle farmer and had sold a number of cattle at auction the day he was killed. Several witnesses reported seeing a red or orange toyota truck near mr. Burdette's residence. There is a $10,000 reward being offered by the family in this case. If you have any information about the 2004 unsolved murder of cleo burdette you are asked to please contact the kanawha county sheriff's office at (304)357-0169.

Agency

Kanawha County Sheriff's Office

Name

Melanie Metheny

Age

21

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On the morning of wednesday july 19, 2006, melanie metheny left her residence in campbells creek with two of her children and the child of her current boyfriend. It is believed that she dropped off the boyfriend’s child between 7:30 and 8:00 am at the home of the child’s paternal grandmother in the dry branch area of campbell’s creek and then continued to the country kids daycare located in the 3000 block of east dupont ave belle. There she dropped off her two children between 7:50am and 8:00 am. Friends, family, and daycare workers said melanie told them she was going to garnett career college in charleston that day to pick up her transcripts and deliver them to west virginia state college where she intended to start classes. Melanie never returned to pick up her children from the daycare. According to melanie’s cell phone records, she placed two calls between 9:00 am and 9:30am that morning, one of which to her voice mail, and both calls had been placed from the western kanawha and eastern putnam co. Areas. A check was done at west virginia state college and garnett and no contact was made with melanie that day. Melanie’s van, 1998 gold chevrolet venture van, was located 4 days later on july 23, 2006, parked on the street in the residential area of wyoming street and beuhring ave on the west side of charleston. One witness in the area said that the van had been parked there since around the afternoon of wednesday july 19, 2006. Melanie metheny was 21 years old when she was reported as missing. She has long strawberry blond hair, brown eyes, 5’3”, and approximately 100lbs. She didn’t have any tattoos but has a scar on her lower right leg/ankle and a plate and two screws that she received from a car accident. Melanie metheny is the mother of 3 children. Their ages at the time of her disappearance were 1, 3, and 5 years. Since the time she was reported missing the kanawha county sheriff’s office has expended numerous man hours while conducting this missing person case. We have received hundreds of tips since her disappearance and conducted follow-up investigations on each tip. We actively follow up on any leads that are brought to our attention. We know that someone in the public has information that could lead us to a closure in this case.

Agency

Kanawha County Sheriff

Name

Samuel Riser

Age

60

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Samuel “dickie” riser went to work on wednesday, december 8, 2010, and at the end of his shift, returned to his home in glasgow, west virginia. On saturday, december 11, 2010, the family received a call that mr. Riser had not been to work in three days. His family went to his house and found mr. Riser’s vehicle was still parked at the residence. Mr. Riser’s residence was locked, the television was on, but mr. Riser was gone. Based on evidence found at mr. Riser’s residence, foul play is suspected. Mr. Riser was 60 years old at the time of his disappearance, he is 6’1” tall, 205 pounds, and goes by the nickname of “dickie”. Mr. Riser is a white male with gray hair, blue eyes, and wears metal-rimmed eyeglasses.

Agency

Kanawha County Sheriff

Name

Minnie Lutes-Johnson

Age

20

Cause of Death

Strangulation

Info

Minnie was found strangled by an electric cord, beaten, and stabbed. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the winchester police department at 859-745-7400

Agency

Winchester Police Department

Name

Tammy Salyer

Age

18

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On february 27, 1990 eighteen-year-old tammy eleene salyer left her place of employment in bristol tennessee at approximately 11:50pm driving her red 1988 chevrolet sprint. She drove six miles and entered interstate 81 northbound at the 381 interchange in bristol virginia. Approximately two tenths of a mile from her normal exit at the seven-mile marker, her vehicle left the northbound lanes, crossed the median, the southbound lanes and side-swiped a highway marker post and tree before coming to a stop against the southbound barrier fence. At 12:15am (2/28/90) bristol virginia police received a call of a possible accident at this location. Officers responded and found the vehicle stopped at the fence with the engine still running. Ms. Salyer was found seated in the drivers seat laying over on the passenger seat. Officers found that ms. Salyers had been shot one time in the head. Ms. Salyer was pronounced deceased at the local hospital.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Cody Matney

Age

25

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Matney was last seen in bristol, tennessee on april 28, 2002. He was outside confetti's sports bar in the 3200 block of west state street. The establishment is off of exit 74-b along interstate 81. Witnesses told authorities that matney made a call from the bar's pay phone, then sat inside his 1991 ford ranger truck in the parking lot, talking to an unidentified person in another truck. He has never been heard from again. Matney's truck was discovered abandoned in the bar's parking lot five days after his disappearance. His checkbook was sitting on the dash, but there was no other evidence at the scene. There has not been any activity on matney's bank account since april 2002. He is known to have made eight telephone calls on his calling card around the time of his disappearance, but most of the numbers he called have been lost. Authorities believe that matney may have departed from the bar with an acquaintance and may have been taken to buchanan county, virginia. His disappearance remains unsolved. Namus # mp155

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Arturo Baxter

Age

35

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Agency

Henrico County

Name

Gene McPherson

Age

42

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Gene mcpherson was last seen driving his silver 1978 ford pickup at 5:50 p.M. On saturday, may 23, 1987, in craig county, virginia. Days later, gene's pick-up was located at the I-81 rest area in radford, virginia. Gene's wallet was in the grass on the side of I-81 in virginia. John edward colclasure admitted to killing gene mcpherson and was convicted of murder. Colclasure died in jail in 2002 and never disclosed the location of gene's body.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Brandon Billings

Age

18

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On october 6, 2002 the grayson county sheriffs office was contacted by local residents about a vehicle found off of rock house lane in the old town section of the county. The 1986 ford ranger appeared to have been wrecked and the driver still with the truck. When deputies arrived and more closely investigated the scene it was discovered that brandon kyle billings, age 18 of carsonville road, fries, had died of an apparent gunshot wound. Investigators were called to the scene and a detailed search of the area was conducted. Brandon was last seen leaving a local convenience store in the city of galax at approximately 4:00 am on october 6, 2002.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Heidi Childs

Age

18

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Thursday, august 27, 2009, heidi childs and david metzler were found murdered at caldwell fields, a jefferson national forest rural recreation area located within montgomery county, virginia, over which there is concurrent state and federal jurisdiction. Caldwell fields is located within montgomery county near the craig county line on route 621 - upper craig's creek road. The criminal investigation determined that heidi and david were killed in the evening hours the previous day, wednesday, august 26, 2009 and that both victims were shot to death. The thirteen-year criminal investigation includes numerous interviews of residents of the local communities, resulting in the identification of persons of interest and suspects in montgomery, craig, and roanoke counties. Within the local region, the murders are sometimes referred to as the caldwell fields murders or the metzler-childs murders. The multi-agency criminal investigation continues to develop leads and interview witnesses.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

David Metzler

Age

18

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Thursday, august 27, 2009, heidi childs and david metzler were found murdered at caldwell fields, a jefferson national forest rural recreation area located within montgomery county, virginia, over which there is concurrent state and federal jurisdiction. Caldwell fields is located within montgomery county near the craig county line on route 621 - upper craig's creek road. The criminal investigation determined that heidi and david were killed in the evening hours the previous day, wednesday, august 26, 2009 and that both victims were shot to death. The thirteen-year criminal investigation includes numerous interviews of residents of the local communities, resulting in the identification of persons of interest and suspects in montgomery, craig, and roanoke counties. Within the local region, the murders are sometimes referred to as the caldwell fields murders or the metzler-childs murders. The multi-agency criminal investigation continues to develop leads and interview witnesses.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Kimberly Fulton

Age

58

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 03/05/1995, 28yr old kimberly fulton and her 17 month old son, daniel were found dead inside their burned-out mobile home. There is a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in this case. Anyone with information is asked to call the washington county sheriff's office at 740-760-0760.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Daniel Fulton

Age

31

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 03/05/1995, 28yr old kimberly fulton and her 17 month old son, daniel were found dead inside their burned-out mobile home. There is a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in this case. Anyone with information is asked to call the washington county sheriff's office at 740-760-0760.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Terri Roach

Age

52

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

The body of 18yr old terri lee roach was found on 07/05/1990 in washington county, ohio.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Harriet Kaltenbach

Age

66

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Harriet kaltenbach was found seated in a vehicle parked in front of an apartment complex office. She had been shot and was deceased when found by law enforcement.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Candace Rose

Age

49

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Candace rose's body was found in the bathroom of her apartment on 04/29/2004 at approximately 3:00pm by two of her friends. Mrs. Rose had been last seen alive by friends on 04/28/2004 at approximately 10:00pm in her apartment. Mrs. Rose had just recently relocated to chillicothe, oh from the mansfield, oh area. Investigators at the time of the incident had a suspect in the incident, but not enough evidence to prosecute.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Eldon Conley

Age

110

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Mr. Conley was found dead after a house fire dec. 3, 2003, at his home at 525 e. Main st. He was killed prior to the fire which was set to cover the homicide.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Ella Grant

Age

107

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On february 18, 2001 at approximately 9:30am, mrs. Grant's body was found inside her home by friends who had arrived to pick her up for church. Mrs grant had been killed by someone sometime between the evening of february 16, 2001 and the time her body was discovered.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Timothy Sewards

Age

62

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Timothy sewards was found by a man who was walking about 10:25 a.M. On january 14, 1995 in the vacant railroad yard at the corner of rose and main streets. He was about 50 feet away from east main street and was thought to have died sometime the night before after being shot twice in the head.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Charles Sharp

Age

61

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Charles sharp had been reported missing on 06/19/1993. Mr. Sharp had been last seen by a relative at his east second street home in chillicothe, oh on 06/19/1993. Mr. Sharp's decomposed remains were discovered in a wooded area off of reub hill road in southwestern ross county on 10/31/1993. The ross county coroner's office said that mr. Sharp had been killed by at least three gunshot wounds to the head.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Ronald Pohl

Age

90

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 05/09/1992, ronald pohl and his son went turkey hunting in the western part of meigs county. After entering the woods, they separated and went to different areas to hunt. Between approximately 10:00am and 10:30am, a gunshot was heard in the woods followed by three to four more shots about fifteen minutes later. Mr. Pohl failed to come out of the woods at noon. After a short time, pohl's son and another hunter, who was not hunting that morning, searched for pohl but were unable to locate him. Authorities were contacted and a search with deputies, ohio division of wildlife officers, and fire department personnel began for pohl. After two hours, pohl's body was discovered having been shot with buckshot in the back.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Mickey Oiler

Age

67

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

The body of a man was found in the vicinity of liberty lane, pomeroy, oh. The man was later identified as mickey oiler.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Mary Lodatto

Age

67

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On march 7, 1991, mary ann lodatto was shot multiple times in her jackson city (jackson county), ohio apartment. This occurred around 9 a.M., shortly before mary was to leave for work. No one else is believed to have been home at the time of the homicide, and no witnesses have come forward. Though, many agencies have investigated mary's death over the last 19 years, there is still no clear suspect(s) or motive for this crime.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Curtis Francis

Age

34

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Agency

Pike County Sheriff's Office