The McCurtain County Sheriff's Office and Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation are investigating the case. 20It's hard to sit at my desk and contain my emotions as I watch the story unfold out of McCurtain County, Oklahoma. Unidentified Persons - Oklahoma Cold Cases Unidentified Persons are organized by county. The event is a public plant swap and $50 "Plantiness Workshop," presented by Sunshine, Flydragon Art Studio, Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and Rooted in Cheyenne, among others. McCurtain County has a population of about 34,800. None of the four returned telephone calls or emails from The Associated Press on Monday seeking comment. I was shocked as I assume most people were not only about the comments about journalists, but the racist comments regarding African Americans. Perhaps the most important piece was the memorial section a display of hundreds of journalists who had been killed while on assignment worldwide. Mullendore was beaten and shot to death on his ranch in Osage County back in 1970. He can be reached by email at wcarpenter@wyomingnews.com or by phone at 307-633-3135. Apply for or renew a handgun license? State Rep. Eddy Dempsey, a Republican who represents the area in the Oklahoma House, said the recorded comments don't reflect the values of his constituents and echoed Stitt's call for the four people involved in the conversation to resign. Apr 14th Oswald Bear, Missing from Manitoba since 1969. In February, a prominent Idabel man was slain during a home invasion, and last weekend, an Arkansas man was stabbed to death in an apparent bar fight. A spokeswoman for the FBIs office in Oklahoma City said the agencys policy is not to confirm or deny any ongoing investigation. Senat said under Oklahoma law, the recording would be legal if it were obtained in a place where the officials being recorded did not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Oklahoma Serial Killers. Rhea Ochoa, Missing from Arizona since 1997. Mar 24th. Saturday morning is the Earth Day Extravaganza at Sunshine Plant Co. I talked on two different occasions to our attorneys to make sure I wasn't doing anything illegal, Bruce Willingham said. Kevin Stitt is calling for the resignations of four officials in southeast Oklahoma after a newspaper's audio recording apparently captured some of them talking of knowing hit men and complaining about two of the paper's journalists. Mar 24th Lori Longchase, Missing from Arizona since 1983. The officials laugh again. "Well, these are already pre-dug," Jennings responds. This is Leah Rochelle Mahseet: Leah was 16 years old when she was last seen alive in Geary, Oklahoma on September 14th, 1997. Just before 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, a passerby called authorities reporting someone was lying in the road just outside Hayworth on Goodwater Highway. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. I'm one to talk, since I have the pleasure of reporting on the arts. Luckily, the team at the Gazette-News did what inevitably leads to a despot's downfall revealed the truth. After the paper released the audio, protests began outside of the Board of County Commissioners office. Jennings, who has been County Commissioner for District 2 since November 2020, started to discuss people wanting to run for sheriff. The first known journalist to be killed for their work on U.S. soil was Elijah Parish Lovejoy, who was murdered by a pro-slavery mob in 1837 for supporting the abolition of slavery. More than 100 people gathered outside the McCurtain County Courthouse in Idabel on Monday, with many of them calling for the sheriff and other county officials to resign. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Mar 23rd. Adair County Alfalfa County Atoka County Beaver County Beckham County Blaine County Bryan County Caddo County Canadian County Carter County Cherokee County Choctaw County s "McCurtain County is always at the top, if not No. This weekend, Kevin Hawkins was murdered in the parking lot of the Lewiston Apartments at 51st Street and Lewis Avenue. According to the McCurtain Gazette-News, the conversation later turned to Bruce and Chris Willingham, a father-and-son reporter duo from the paper. WebA McCurtain County jury deliberated for 45 minutes Wednesday before finding Ernest Alvin Lewis, 66, guilty of first-degree murder in the 1984 shooting death of Johnny Smith at an Mar 23rd Eric McKay, Missing from Ontario since 1987. He had just attended a boxing In a Monday evening statement, the sheriff's office claimed the recording was "illegally obtained." "Take them down to Mud Creek and hang them up with a damn rope. Bruce Willingham, the longtime publisher of the McCurtain Gazette-News, said the recording was made March 6 when he left a voice-activated recorder inside the room after a county commissioner's meeting because he suspected the group was continuing to conduct county business after the meeting had ended in violation of the state's Open Meeting Act. Clardy responds, "I've got an excavator.". With its rolling, forested hills in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, the area has become a tourism hotbed attracting a steady stream of visitors from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. OSBI says 27-year-old Gary Dixon has been Bruce Willingham said he has also turned over his audio recordings to the FBI and the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office and added he has had several conversations with federal investigators. The McCurtain Gazette-News, a print-only newspaper, released portions of the audio recording and a transcription along with the front-page expos over the weekend. MCCURTAIN COUNTY, OK (KSLA) - McCurtain County Sheriff's deputies are investigating a deadly shooting. If you would like to look further into the number of murders in Oklahoma by year, you may visit the websites of many local, state, and federal law enforcement organizations, who often times publish comprehensive reports with more information about the crimes committed in that area over specific time frames. "I am both appalled and disheartened to hear of the horrid comments made by officials in McCurtain County," Oklahoma Gov. This list was last updated on July 19, 2022. The news also inspired me to Google a question I hadn't thought to ask prior the events in Oklahoma: how many journalists have been murdered on U.S. soil? Its most notable towns include Idabel (population 7,040), Broken Bow (4,280), Wright City (860) and Valliant (780). Leah Mahseet, Unsolved Murder from Oklahoma in 1997. But I've had coworkers that have reported on issues not dissimilar from some listed above, and that is reason enough to reflect on the subject. On Wednesday morning, Jennings resigned from his position as commissioner, News 9 reports. Actually, McCurtain County's 20.5 homicides per 100,000 population is well ahead of the Oklahoma City or Tulsa areas. Apr. Morrison John Doe, Discovered in Colorado in 1977. Okla. But there's also the matter of this same group conspiring genuine or otherwise to kill two of the journalists employed at the small, family newspaper headquartered in Idabel, Oklahoma, a town that lies geographically nearer to Little Rock and Dallas, and is just over an hour drive from Texarkana. WebWJ Edwards 2-15-39, Convicted of Murder Story 1: Two Are Held in City Death, Shots Blamed on Robbery Fear Two men were held in the city jail Monday and funeral arrangements completed for a third as the aftermath of a shooting Sunday night in a one-room house at 129 West Chickasaw Avenue, Services for [] The second question yielded better results, all compiled in a nifty column format on Wikipedia (that I did fact check), and it turned out to be worth the time. As a highly publicized case in 2018, it's best to read about it on your own. She was last seen at about 9:10 pm that night at a gas station on the north end of town, merely 100 yards from her home. The state's overall per capita income for 2001 was $25,575. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is working a number of murders in rural parts of Oklahoma and many remain unsolved. They are the kind of crimes that most people move to the country to try to avoid. So, when murder strikes a small town it can really rattle a community. There's the case of a couple found shot to death on Christmas Day. The museum featured a room lined with every Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph, an archive of authentic newspapers containing articles of events from the end of the Civil War and the sinking of the Titanic, to the assassination of president John F. Kennedy and the Boston Marathon bombing. Shannon Baldwin-Hokanson, Enid, 2012.. Shannon, a mother of 3, was last heard from A southeast Oklahoma newspaper has released the full audio recording it captured of county officials talking about killing journalists and lynching Black people. "This should be a reminder that we are all defined by who we are in private and in public.". And he looked her in the face and said, 'You wanna go with me and go eat barbecue?'" 20It's hard to sit at my desk and contain my emotions as I watch the story unfold out of McCurtain County, Oklahoma. Manning then responds and mentions Chris by name. Another great resource is Project: Cold Case, who, in partnership with the Murder Accountability Project, produced a comprehensive list of all of the unsolved homicides in each state from 1980-2019. According to this list, there were around 11,922 murders in Oklahoma during that nearly 40-year time frame. Their threats include lynching, burning and burying the reporters, of which the members joke that said graves are ready to be dug with one of the speakers' excavator. Just before 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, a passerby called McCurtain is a distant 27th in the state. Gov. They are the kind of crimes that most people All rights reserved. [A deputy] goes, 'No, what?' April 17, 2023, 1:40 PM OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma's governor is seeking the resignation of four county officials after a newspaper's audio recording apparently captured some of them complaining about two of the paper's journalists and knowing hit men and where two holes are dug. In Oklahoma County, there are 500 unsolved murders, some dating by to the 1950s. "I know that other than Oklahoma City and Tulsa, my district is right up there.". Tickets should be still available at the door. Many deaths that are investigated by the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner remain as Unidentified Persons, due to decomposition, fire, injuries, McCurtain County's per capita income for 2001 was $18,803, which ranked 55th in Oklahoma, according to state Commerce Department statistics. The worst year for Apr 12th Michael Franklin, Missing from Alaska since 1977. WebAccess the Sexual Assault Kit Tracking system? Saturday night invites local rock bands to the stage, including Angelus Errare, Stay Awhile, Union Goons, We the Few, YOTP and Hell's Half Acre. Four days after Kelly Lynn Albright disappeared from her family's home, she was found dead in a field. Tillman, an "arrogant, bombastic, and a notorious drinker and gambler," according to the South Carolina Encyclopedia, was acquitted at trial, despite Gonzales being unarmed, with his hands in his pockets, at the time of the shooting. It ranks second in firearm deaths on a per capita basis, behind Cimarron County and ahead of Jefferson County. Above all else, they accumulate into a larger theme and the reason why people seek to kill journalists fear. Oklahoma's southeastern-most county recorded 71 homicides from 1992 to 2001, according to figures released recently by the state Health Department. The most prominent of these killings were five Vietnamese-American journalists Tried Le, Nhan Wrong Do, Tap Van Pham, Nguyen Dam Phong and Duong Trong Lam. The state average was 7.8. His name has not been released at this time. WebUncovereds website is home to unsolved homicides, such as the 1996 murder of Jody LeCornu, the 2019 murder o f Najah Ferrell, and the 2017 double-murder of Abigail Stoewe and her two dogs perished in the fire, which was allegedly set by two men. "I was completely appalled and frightened, quite frankly," Bruce told News 9 referring to what was said during the recording. "If a hair on his wife's head, Chris Willingham's head or any of those people that really were behind that, if any hair on their head got touched by anybody, who would be the bad guy?". "Crime is a bad problem and meth is a big part of it," Sanders said. The common thread among this memorial and the accounts listed above is that journalists have, and will continue to face the ultimate repercussion for reporting on individuals abusing their power. IDABEL McCurtain County's state-leading homicide rate shows no signs of slowing down. This is in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Eastern Oklahoma. MCCURTAIN COUNTY, OK (KSLA) - McCurtain County Sheriff's deputies are investigatinga deadly shooting. Jennings then brings up the idea of hitmen, saying, "I've known two or three hitmen, they're very quiet guys and would cut no f-----g mercy.". Lori Longchase, Missing from Arizona since 1983. Mar 23rd. The state average was 7.8. Well, I couldn't find the answer to the first question, though I did gather that it's over 40 individuals. According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Allen Shaw, 89, and Randy Sander, 65, have been charged with Second Degree Murder and Arson in connection to Stoewe's death. He goes, 'You gotta pre-heat the oven 350 degrees, leave her in there for 15 minutes,' and she went [vomit sounds, then laughter.]". Renowned comedian and Cheyenne native Brandt Tobler is once again bringing his comedian friends to the stage at a local favorite brewery. Before I was a journalist, or even passionate about journalism, the Newseum had a role in showing me the impact that the profession can make on the world. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. WebSome of the oldest unsolved murders on Uncovered s cold case website include the 1960 murder of Nancy Eagleson, the 1977 murder of Ann Harmeier, the 1977 murder of If it was back in the day, when Alan Marston would take a damn Black guy and whoop their ass and throw him in the cell? Chris Willingham, a reporter at the paper, is Bruce Willingham's son. For music fans, The Lincoln Theatre is hosting its second installment of the Local Music Showcase series. Kevin Stitt said in a statement to the Associated Press. ]", Jennings says he knows where two "big deep holes" are if "you ever need them." During the ensuing discussion, her wrapped remains were compared to barbecued food. According to News 9, the recording was taken after Bruce Willingham the father of Chris Willingham left his recorder in the meeting in an attempt to prove officials were conducting business in secret, which would be in violation of the state's Open Meeting Act, the Associated Press reports. Alicia Manning, District 2 Commissioner Mark Jennings and Jail Administrator Larry Hendrix. "Bless her heart," Clardy continued. IDABEL - A McCurtain County jury has found a 19-year-old guilty of murdering two Wright City men and has recommended two death sentences. Phone Numbers 863 Phone Numbers 863647 Phone All my life, we've always said we don't get enough recognition in southeast Oklahoma, Dempsey said. "Yeah, but here's the reality," Manning responds. 6 Disturbing Unsolved Mysteries In Oklahoma That Will Leave You Baffled 1. I'm gonna tell you something. There is simply no place for such hateful rhetoric in the state of Oklahoma, especially by those that serve to represent the community through their respective office., The McCurtain Gazette-News released portions of an audio recording following a March 6 county commission meeting in which Clardy, Manning and Jennings appear to discuss reporters Bruce and Chris Willingham. Kirkbride, a former Wyoming rancher who died recently, will be honored through the work and performances of regional poets, including two cowboy poets. "I don't know what the answer is.". Apr 14th Vincent Gorman, Missing from Arizona since 2004. Oklahoma County had 12.5 homicides per 100,000 from 1992 to 2001, and Tulsa County had 8.2. OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma's governor is seeking the resignation of four county officials after a newspaper's audio recording apparently captured some of them complaining about two of the paper's journalists and knowing hit men and where two holes are dug. According to the McCurtain Gazette-News, the story published over the weekend is the first in a planned series. Ian Henry, In McCurtain County, a $5,000 reward is being offered for help solving Crystal Kindrick's disappearance. Change my address on my handgun license? There was an interactive map covering press laws throughout the world. Mike Burke is the county's only cold case detective working, determined to I'd run for f-----g sheriff.". A portion of the recording was released by the paper, and it also appears to capture one of the four making racist comments about Black people. The conversation began with the officials discussing a house fire that took place on March 2, which claimed the life of 43-year-old Dannette Stoewe. One event that lies close to my own heart was the killing of civilian journalist Paul Guihard in Oxford, Mississippi, when he was working as a photojournalist during James Meredith's integration to the then-racially segregated University of Mississippi. "They don't have a G-- d--- clue what they're getting into," Jennings says. Mar 23rd. McCurtain County also leads the state in injuries related to firearms for a 2 1/2-year period from January 2001 to June. The three day event, covered previously in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, gives attendees the chance to frolic through any and every variation of game for the entirety of the convention's run. Copyright 2015 KSLA. WebFive homicide cases from 2020 remain unsolved, placing the homicide units clearance rate at about 94%, a few percentage points lower than last year. POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) Deputies say a 35-year-old Pottawatomie County man was murdered inside his garage while home alone. WebFive persons one of a boy of four years and one an infant were shot to death by Aaron (Red) Harvey, 21, and John Pope, 45, on the night of April 26, 1923 in a small Apr. "A lot of our violence statistics are related to poverty, so some of this may be related to income levels, some of it may be related to gun ownership.". Bruce Willingham said he believes the local officials were upset about stories we've run that cast the sheriff's office in an unfavorable light, including the death of Bobby Barrick, a Broken Bow, Oklahoma, man who died at a hospital in March 2022 after McCurtain County deputies shot him with a stun gun. A Los Angeles citizen-reporter named James Edwin Richards was shot in his driveway for his local crime reporting, with the Los Angeles Police Department reporting that "Mr. Richards had received threats from local gang members, and his property was often vandalized prior to his murder.". So, while the world seems to become an increasingly dangerous place, you can find solace in knowing that there's plenty of opportunity to escape this weekend with some local events for all interests. Jennings tells Clardy and Manning I know where two deep holes are dug if you ever need them, and the sheriff responded, I've got an excavator., Jennings also said he's known two or three hit men in Louisiana, adding "they're very quiet guys., In the recording, Jennings also appears to complain about not being able to hang Black people, saying: They got more rights than we got.. James H. Tillman after being critical of his personal conduct and political policy. "They bring no [inaudible. McCurtain County John Doe, Discovered in Oklahoma in 1989. When reached by phone, the McCurtain County Sheriff's Office declined to provide a comment to PEOPLE but said that the FBI is now investigating the recording. Phil Bacharach, a spokesman for Attorney General Gentner Drummond, said the agency had received an audio recording and is investigating the incident, but declined to comment further. Amazon. Jarrod Ramos killed five employees of The Capital Gazette in Annapolis because the paper had published a story about his guilty plea in a criminal harassment case in 2011. Will Carpenter is the Wyoming Tribune Eagle's Arts and Entertainment/Features Reporter. That figures to 20.5 homicides per 100,000 population, easily the highest rate in the state. Throughout the 1980s, multiple journalists of ethnic publications were murdered for their coverage. Authorities say the victim, who appeared to have died from multiple gunshot wounds, is a 46-year-old man from Oklahoma. Originally assigned to document Meredith's enrollment, Guihard soon turned his focus to the riot that broke out on campus. Gov. Last September, an investigative reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jeff German, was stabbed to death outside of his home. The county has experienced five homicides in the last five months. Editors note: Over 20 years, from 2000 to 2019, there were 4,177 murders in Oklahoma, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. I'll save those comments for you to research yourself. The state average was 24.4 firearms-related injuries per 100,000 population. The county also is a state leader in deaths and injuries by firearms. German had published a series of articles reporting on "claims of bullying, hostility and mismanagement at the Clark County's public administrator's office," wrote the Review-Journal. "Since November things have been insane in McCurtain County," District Attorney Virginia Sanders said. A homicide is a killing and can be either intentional, such as murder, or unintentional, such as manslaughter. The prime suspect in the unsolved murder of E.C. One Site. One Database In Oklahoma alone, there are over 700 people missing; over 100 unidentified; and over 1,000 homicide cases that are unsolved. Here at Oklahoma Cold Cases we do our best to share the stories of these victims. Jurors deliberated about two hours late Tuesday before finding Michael Delozier guilty of two counts of first-degree murder. Mullendore died Wednesday night. But we don't need this kind of recognition., 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Will Carpenter, Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, Cheyenne, For only the second time in its history, the US Navy is beginning the slow, tricky process of taking apart a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, A Towering, Terrifying Demon Horse Isnt Even the Weirdest Part, Man who lost wife, son in Texas mass shooting tells story, Roman Polanski and the woman he pleaded guilty to raping pose together 45 years later, Hunter Biden appears in court for paternity case, March of Dimes walk looks to raise money for families facing pregnancy scares, Popular Mobile Games You Must Play In 2023, US readies second attempt at speedy border asylum screenings.