Conspiracy Theories and False Leads in an Ozark Cold Case

True Crime fans have done so much to bring attention to cold cases. Some just like the genre as a whole and some, like today’s guest, are drawn to one particular case. But not many will spend years of their life trying to sort through the red herrings and confusion caused by people who seem determined to keep a cold case cold. 

Welcome to another episode of The Unlovely Truth. I’m your host, private investigator Lori Morrison. Join me for another captivating true crime story, where physical, spiritual, and emotional safety takeaways are waiting for us. 

This is Season 5, Episode 7. Our book this week is “The Girl I Never Knew: Who Killed Melissa Witt?” and our guest is its author LaDonna Humphrey. We will check in with her after we investigate this compelling case. We’ll also talk about ideas for how anyone can be what I call a different kind of P.I. - not a private investigator like me but a person of impact in your community. 

LaDonna Humphrey never met Melissa Witt, but she feels like she knows her. She's spent over 7 years searching for the man who killed Melissa. It started, oddly enough, because of O.J. Simpson. It was 1995 and LaDonna was tuned into an update on the Simpson case when the radio station she had on announced that a body had been found in the Ozark National Forest. Authorities thought it might be the body of a missing 19 year old woman from Fort Smith Arkansas named Melissa Witt. LaDonna wasn’t just drawn in by the circumstances of Melissa death, but by the unfinished potential of her life.

Acts 12:21

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

In the twelfth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans, he is urging believers to practice self-sacrifice, perform acts of service, and practice love in action. I believe that one of the best ways to practice love in action is summed up in verse 21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” 

 

It’s always easy to give into our feelings and want to strike back when we see evil being done. That’s our natural inclination, right? Killing Melissa was evil, spreading rumors about her was evil, and giving false leads in her case was evil. 

 

But we aren’t supposed to follow the example of the world, are we? LaDonna followed what Christ taught us - sacrificial service. She has shown such love for Melissa and her family as she continues to search for Melissa's killer and overcome the evil that he did. 

 

Each of us can follow that same example in our own way. I want to hear what ideas you come up with! Send me an email a lori@theunlovelytruth.com or message me on social media. I love it when people are willing to have those hard, but impactful conversations!

I want to remind you that I’m on a mission to see a revival sparked by churches genuinely safeguarding not just the physical safety, but the emotional and spiritual safety of their congregations and communities as well. I've worn multiple hats – church staffer, church security team member, domestic violence court paralegal, private investigator – and I've seen it all. Now, I want to come alongside church leaders, crafting customized safety blueprints that fit each church’s unique needs and accounting for their unique resources and culture.

I'm not just here to talk; I'm here to walk with church leaders. I’m in this for the long haul, attending live trainings, constantly learning, and bringing that knowledge back to my clients. If you’re interested, let's chat! Set up a call today, and we will investigate your needs together. Because church safety isn't just a job for me – it's my passion. I’m looking forward to helping you make your church a true sanctuary.

Visit my website to access more episodes, read my blog posts, or check out ways you can financially support the podcast so that together we can impact more people, more families, and more communities. If you would like to contact me about booking me as a speaker, or ask about my consulting and investigative services, please email me at lori@theunlovelytruth.com. 

 

Buy The Girl I Never Knew: Who Killed Melissa Witt?

 

Connect with LaDonna here

 

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Check out my Amazon Author Page to find resources on personal safety, and safety training for churches.