Melissa Witt murder: PI hints suspect in 19-year-old’s 1994 killing will be caught soon

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS: LaDonna Humphrey, an author and advocate from the Forth Smith area, spent a decade investigating the 1994 murder of a 19-year-old Arkansas student. 

She now strongly believes that the suspect will soon be charged, as per Daily Mail.

The teenager, Melissa ‘Missy’ Witt, disappeared on December 1, 1994, while planning to surprise her mother at a bowling alley. 

Her naked body was found six weeks later by hunters in the Ozark National Forest.

What did Melissa Witt's autopsy report claim?

For the past eight years, the author has devoted her life to investigating the cold case in hopes of preventing the teenager from becoming another statistic of female victimization. Humphrey confidently stated, "We are very confident that we know who killed Melissa, which is a huge place to be."

Following the discovery of Witt's body, an autopsy revealed she had been strangled before being left in the forest, approximately 45 miles away from her home.

Her clothing and personal belongings were never recovered.

Humphrey has authored numerous books about this long-standing cold case, with the third and final installment containing interviews with law enforcement members who worked on the investigation.

The book which is scheduled for release later this month, presents three pieces of evidence that Humphrey believes will help identify the true perpetrator.

For years, convicted killer and rapist Larry Swearingen was considered the prime suspect in Witt's case.

Swearingen had been convicted of the 1998 murder of another 19-year-old, Melissa Trotter, in neighboring Texas.

Despite maintaining his innocence until his execution in August 2019, police suspected Larry Swearingen of being behind Witt's murder. However, the private investigator rejected their assertions and remains convinced that Swearingen was not involved in Witt's case.

LaDonna Humphrey found a suspect who has ‘very violent history’

As Humphrey embarked on an extensive investigation into the teen's life, which involved examining her diary, one particular suspect consistently emerged.

While Humphrey refrained from disclosing the suspect's name due to the ongoing investigation, she revealed that he possesses a 'very violent history'. 

Nearly two dozen individuals came forward to share accounts of the violence they endured at his hands, including ex-girlfriends who had been subjected to beatings and strangulation.

A breakthrough occurred when Humphrey managed to locate the suspect's former roommate, who disclosed that the suspect had plans to meet Melissa on the night she disappeared. 

Additionally, the roommate mentioned that the suspect owned a Mickey Mouse watch, similar to the one Witt was wearing at the time of her death, although it was never recovered.

Humphrey remarked that the suspect fits the FBI's profile of Melissa's killer and has served time in prison. 

Although there is currently no way to verify if the watch belonged to Witt until it is found, 

Humphrey believes it is more than a mere coincidence.

The 29th anniversary of Witt's abduction from the Bowling World parking lot in Fort Smith was observed last December 1. 

Humphrey, co-founder of All the Lost Girls, a nonprofit supporting cold cases of female strangulation in the United States, partnered with another organization, Who Killed Missy Witt, to offer a $29,000 reward for information crucial to the case.

Humphrey emphasized the profound impact of Witt's tragic death on her loved ones and reiterated her unwavering belief that justice is imminent.

"I believe that we're gonna see it solved in the next year, I firmly believe that," Humphrey expressed. "I really am so encouraged that even after 29 years, people are saying we can't let this go on another year, we don't want to get to the 30th anniversary, we want answers now."

Social media reactions

Following the Private Investigator's discovery of the suspect in the cold case involving the murder of a teen from Fort City, many people shared their perspectives.

One claimed, "Way to tip off the suspect, idiot PI. I doubt theres any new evidence, sadly." Another wrote, "You don't know she ever had the watch."

One user added, "Why share this info before the investigation is concluded? So the perp can dispose of evidence?"

Another user wrote, "Until someone is charged, this is speculation." A user commented, "Does not sound like there is enough evidence to convict this man. Good luck finding the right evidence as he probably is the one."

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