[11] Extensive searches for Steppach at Chalamont Park had been held in the past. She abruptly decided to switch to Central after attending private school all her life [EDIT: Ebby attended LISA Academy, which is a charter school, not a private school]. And they were stopped in their tracks. ET. EDIT: Someone commented that old remains can be hard for cadaver dogs to detect. Ebbys family tried to file a missing person report, but was told by police they had to wait at least 12 hours. That police department should be sued. In the News. I think it was too much on his heart, his mother Laurie told Dateline. She mentioned that someone had seen the car possibly while Ebby was there alive. The second time, she was with another man in the backseat of her car. Ebby said, Im fucked up, and then hung up. Her keys, her phone, her purse, makeup and contact lenses were scattered inside. It was polar opposite than the Ebby we knew. He has the answers he was looking for.. He received no response and found she wasnt home when he arrived. Same situation btw, they knew she was going to report them for rape so they kidnapped her to beat her but 2 guys ended up killing her. Searches of the woods around the park were undertaken, but no sign of Ebby was found. Later, they basically admitted that the beginnings of the case were mishandled (without actually admitting it, of course). Days before her disappearance, Ebby accused 4 men of raping her at a party and filming it. In 2017, the case was reassigned to the LRPDs homicide unit, who brought cadaver dogs to the park to search for clues. 18-year-old Ebby vanished in October 2015, but her remains weren't found until May 2018. In May 2018, Ebby Steppach's body was found in a drainpipe in her hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas, more than two-and-a-half years after the 18-year-old high school senior disappeared. "There was some evidence we were looking at that was found at the scene when she initially disappeared that bothered us," Hudson said. I tried to keep this write-up from getting too long, so didnt include every single detail I read. My faith is so strong and I trust that God will bring answers, Laurie said. In May 2018, the FBI and the LRPDs Cold Case Unit (led by experienced detective Tommy Hudson) teamed up with Little Rocks Public Works to begin excavating drainage pipes at Chalamont Park. However, it does seem highly coincidental that she disappeared/was murdered right after being sexually assaulted and had threatened to report it. Her feedback, along with that of others, resulted in the creation of a handbook that police give out to those whose loved ones have gone missing. He never gave up on her, on finding out what happened, she said. However, her parents never addressed this with her, wanting to give her more independence. The equipment hit obstructions on both ends of the drainage pipe and Hudson was given the go-ahead to dig up the section of pipe. The LRPD claim to have no record of these calls. She saw the best in people and loved anyone who came into her life with a fierceness that was unmatched. Ebbys family contacted everyone they knew and anyone they thought may have been in contact with Ebby. Unknown Ebby Steppach Killer- Arkansas- 2015 . December 2017 In an attempt to bring publicity to her case, Steppachs mother and brother Trevor appeared onDr. Phil. Steppach's family released a statement Wednesday evening after they were notified of the Arkansas State Crime Lab results. They hired private investigator Monty Vickers to see what he could find out. She remained a missing person for nearly three years before her body was discovered in a drainage pipe in Chalamont Park in May 2018, in the immediate vicinity of where her car had been found. While the medical examiner found a preliminary cause of death, it hasnt been publicly released. He recalled her sounding confused, disoriented and panicked, their mother Laurie told Dateline. Ebbys family was notified of the discovery and the remains were sent to the state crime lab, where they were determined to be those of the missing girl. $18 SIM-only plan. Thats when Trevor told me something was terribly wrong, Laurie said. Discover Ebby Steppach's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Our cold case unit is comprised of seasoned investigators who have retired as active members of the Little Rock Police Department. Although Hudson would not tell Dateline how Ebby died, because he believes it would interfere with the investigation, he said her death is being investigated as a homicide. Petito 's tragic story has captured the nation and the internet after she was found dead in the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area in. Detective Bruce Maxwell has access to all of Hudsons work on the case and they are in constant contact. Upcoming on In Pursuit. When Ebbys remains were found, Laurie was devastated. But Ebby's specialty was. Her life had gone through a few major changes as she . [4] She also alleged that the rape had been recorded on a cell phone. [7] She initially told him she was parked outside his house, but upon hanging up and walking out to the street, he did not see her car. Ebby spent that Saturday holed up in bed at her grandparents home, sleeping and watching Spongebob Squarepants. And she took excellent care of it. They then went in the other way and hit another obstruction about 130 feet in. And we could have found her killer by now.. But that was the last time her grandparents ever saw her. Submissions should outline a mystery and provide a link to a more detailed review of the case such as a Wiki article or news report. Ebbys friend Danielle, whom she had been staying with, was never contacted by police either. After she told him "I'm fucked up," the phone call ended. Her decision to transfer schools had come after she began dating a new boyfriend, and while attending this new school she was known to occasionally be truant. They said they couldnt due to a lack of resources. Police aren't known for their willingness to investigate rapes, or their their tact when dealing with victims. The final time she was with more unknown men. Ebby stayed with Danielle and her family for the remainder of the week. 0:00 / 40:28 Unsolved Homicide: Who Put Ebby Steppach in the Drainpipe? As of now, the case is currently with the Little Rock Police Department Cold Case Unit, who say its an open homicide investigation. I apologize in advance for any formatting errors. The daughter of two hair stylists, she was already immersed in that world and the craft came naturally. 5 min read 8657 Werger road, Windham The man who called 911 to report an armed neighbor in his garage asked authorities for permission to shoot her, criticized police for. I think she kind of thought of our house as kind of a safe place, Danielle said in an interview. "It was something I just couldn't shake. Examining the world of solved and unsolved cases. Unsure How to Help Your Child Struggling with Obesity? Searches were conducted of the park and the woods near where the car was discovered, but no evidence was found. On October 25, 2015, she placed an erratic phone call to her older brother, Trevor; this was the last known contact anyone had with her. What's even worse is that her brother Trevor recently passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack at age 35. Today marks the third anniversary of the last time she was seen alive. But as time passed, they became more and more worried. Marking Ebbys birthday, every dollar raised from those in attendance went to the organization, which provides services for survivors of assault and human trafficking. Something was there. Although Ebby had moved out, she kept in touch with her parents and even reached out to her stepfather Michael with an alarming situation. Her phone records also indicate she stopped opening messages that night a major red flag. An internal investigation was conducted, which yielded insufficient evidence to prove her claims. She would never do this. This was followed by a police search of Chalamont Park in November 2016. Lucy Letby- Killer Nurse? [4] That evening, two brief calls lasting approximately one minute each were placed to the Little Rock Police Department from Steppach's cell phone, though the police department would state they had no record of receiving a report. Ebby Steppach was born on March 31, 1997. Well, with God, Ill make it through.. On Friday, Ebby went to a party while Danielle stayed home because she didnt know anyone who would be there. Rules and Guidlines for Discussion. We could have put her to rest. He had footage of it on his dashboard camera, but had since lost the recordings. Family Member, Friend or Colleague of a Guest. They have the names of the guys she claimed assaulted her, but no formal investigation of them has been done as far as I know. According to to a text sent to a friend, Ebby said four men had been involved and that she had felt forced into the encounter. The next evening around 5:30 p.m., Ebby called her brother, Trevor, and told him that she was in her car, but didnt know where she was. But no matter what happens, I have peace. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. He recalled her sounding confused, disoriented and panicked, their mother Laurie told Dateline. who worked the case of Natalee Holloway. Her body was found was. "I'm grateful that I wasn't told about that text, about what happened," Laurie said. However, it was noted that the officers implicated were no longer with the Major Crimes Unit. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. A family friend named Margie Foley had reported to the police that she smelled decomposition while they . Investigators looking into the disappearance of 18-year-old Ebby Steppach previously spent three days in 2016 searching Chalamont Park in west Little Rock for the woman's body, but returned. For nearly three years, no trace of her was found. On October 30, 2015, the Little Rock Police Department searched an abandoned car in a small residential park. So when the vibrant eyeshadow palettes and tubes of lipstick were found broken and scattered throughout her car just days after she was reported missing, Ebbys mother knew something was wrong. Shortly following the news of Hudson's retirement, Little Rock Police Department released a statement about Ebby's case: The Little Rock Police Department is committed to work collectively to resolve all cold cases; more specifically the Ebby Steppach case. Dharmesh Patel is a 41 y/o California man, who was working as a radiologist at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, Pasadena. Upon Ebbys remains being found, hundreds gathered for her memorial service at Christ Community Church on the campus of the Little Rock Christian Academy. Detectives remain tight-lipped about the case and have not revealed how Steppach died, only classifying it as a homicide. Anyone with information about Ebby Steppachs case is asked to call the Little Rock Police Department Cold Case Unit at (501) 4043128. Laurie says that's because no one has figured out what - or who - caused Ebby's death. The family would like to thank all of you who have supported efforts to find Ebby, the statement read. On Tuesday, police announced during a press conference that the remains could be those of Steppach, who disappeared in October 2015. That was when they discovered Ebby's remains just 60 feet from where her car had been found. And Ebby seemingly vanished without a trace. She had been dead since the time her car was found three years prior. She rebelled against her parents and started living with her friend Daniel Westbrook. Ebby Steppach, 18, of Little Rock, Arkansas mysteriously vanished on October 24, 2015. Ebby Jane Steppach had dreams of becoming a cosmetologist. "It was a gut feeling with all of us," he said. On October 27, Ebbys abandoned car was discovered in Chalamont Park in Little Rock. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Hudson told Dateline that a new investigator has been assigned to Ebbys case and that he has complete faith in his investigative abilities. You would think talking to Danielle and looking into the cell phone pings are two of the first things theyd do. April 2019 Ebbys older brother, Trevor, dies from a massive heart attack at just 35 years old. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? What worried her mother most of all was the condition of Ebbys makeup. Tragic all the way around. The keys were in the ignition and the car was out of gas as if it had been left running. TM & 2023 Peteski Productions, Inc. 2023 CBS Interactive Inc.. a Paramount company. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The 2018 discovery of Ebby's body in a drainpipe, just 60 feet from where her car was found two and a half years earlier, brought no closure to her mother, Laurie. Growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas, she lived with her mother, Laurie Jernigan; her stepfather, Michael Jernigan; her older brother, Trevor; and her younger sister, Harris. [13] Upon the arrival of police at the scene, Foley claimed she was "kind of dismissed by [the officers]", who told her the park had been searched with recovery canines who would have picked up on the scent of human decomposition, and assured her it "must be an animal or something". In this update, Laurie is joining us again to discuss how Ebby was found and where her case stands today. She explained that Ebby had started a new job, started hanging out with a different crowd, changed schools - all of which she believes led to the rebellion. On May 24, 2018, the police went back to Chalamont Park around 10am and discovered skeletal remains near wear Ebby's car was found. What really happened to Ebby Steppach? Her disappearance ended 4 years ago when Little Rock police found. It has been through your support, many prayers and Gods strength that they have been able to make this journey., God hears and answers all prayers, it continued. It was at this party that Ebby claimed to have been raped by 4 men, who also recorded the act. Ebby was a young woman with big dreams and a fiery personality, who loved her family and had a big heart for those less fortunate. [13], In 2017, her case was profiled on the podcast The Vanished. Their names, obviously, have not been released. Her parents did not approve of her newest boyfriend, who attended the public high school Central High. Ebby Steppach, known to her classmates and family members as Ebby Jane, was an independent, hardworking, and protective friend. Throughout the evening, cell phone records showed Ebby sent text messages to men she had implicated in her rape, threatening. It was hard for all of us.. Ebbys disappearance was also featured on Nancy Grace. I think a young woman was seen speaking with a young man by the park security. So he delved deep into the case, determined to solve it. Protective. Laurie said she was with her husband out to dinner at the time, but had no idea about the text. In 2015, Ebby Steppach was sexually assaulted at a party, and disappeared days later. Those who she loved most of all were her grandparents. The Search for Ebby & Allegations of Police Mishandling. And the minute we could do so, on October 26 in the middle of the night, we filed a report.. She never responded to her grandmothers calls, either. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. According to Laurie, she had known her daughter was dead before the remains were discovered. Her step dad Michael says thinks she may have gone out to confront her rapists. After speaking with his sister, Trevor immediately called the police, worried. Just when I thought she had it down, you know, she didnt. Want Dr. Phil to Investigate a Situation or Possible Scam? However, that never happened. Although Ebby had moved out, she kept in touch with her parents and even reached out to her stepfather Michael with an alarming situation. He would have had dash camera footage, but the police waited too long to subpoena the evidence, and it was long since erased. [4] She had previously attended a private school, but transferred to a public school that year. Or Hospital Scapegoat? I just knew it, everything in my soul, I knew something had happened to her, Laurie said. She later learned that Michael had agreed to help Ebby, so he took Laurie home and attempted to reach Ebby to make a plan. I hope the family gets justice eventually. And we could have found her killer by now.. Ebby's body was found in a drainpipe in her hometown of Little Rock, AR, and the mystery that still shrouds her death has left an . Her death has been classified as a homicide. And I just became hysterical.. - Published on May 19, 2022. Investigations, which is dedicated to locating missing and trafficked children, and T.H.O.R.N., an international anti-human trafficking organization that works to address the sexual exploitation of children. It was an open secret who did it. On Tuesday, May 22nd, investigators with the Little Rock Police Department informed the family that human remains had been found at Chalamont Park, which is where Ebby's car was found on October 30, 2015. And she never showed up at the police station. On October 23rd, 2015, Ebby attended a party. Parents: Is Your Child Addicted to Screen Time? Ebby Steppach (Ebby Jane Steppach) was born on 31 March, 1997 in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. To help keep the case in the public eye, Ebbys family created a Facebook group to help spread awareness via social media. It wasnt until November 2016, almost a year after Ebby disappeared, that police formally searched the Chalamont Park area, turning up no further clues. The equipment hit obstructions on both ends of the drainage pipe and Hudson was given the go-ahead to dig up the section of pipe. No one heard from or saw Ebby again. But her stepdad and I were really strict. [4] The security guard notified police and waited approximately 2 hours for an officer to arrive however none did. It wasnt until October 30 that officers went to the park and identified the car as Ebbys. From the very beginning of the missing person investigation, Laurie and Michael Jernigan claim that the LRPD conducted incredibly shoddy work. Russell King passes a memorial for Ebby Steppach as he works Tuesday at Chalamont Park in west Little Rock. It was up to us to clean up the mess and basically start from the beginning. I was like, Ebby thats not safe, dont do that. A preliminary cause of death has been determined but not publicly released. Anyone with information about Ebby Steppachs case is asked to call the Little Rock Police Department Cold Case Unit at (501) 4043128. And that's something that has given me solace.". An investigation was conducted by department administrators and it was found there was insufficient evidence of any mistreatment. When she wasnt at her grandmothers house [the following day], thats when thing started to get like, Well, where is she?,' Steppachs stepdad, Michael Jernigan, told the station at the time. But Ebbys family and friends had already taken matters into their own hands and began passing out fliers across town, hoping someone had seen her. For anyone still looking, she is the subject of True Crime Garage's latest episode. This is the location where Ebby Steppach's body was found. But no matter what happens, I have peace. The keys were in the ignition, the battery was dead and the gas tank was empty. Hudson obtained maps of the drainage pipes from the city and took a team back down to Chalamont Park, where they sent cameras down drainage pipes. They are nearly on par with polygraphs in my estimation. And I just became hysterical.. [4] Trevor described her as seeming "disoriented" during their conversation. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. And she took excellent care of it. I have peace because Ebby isnt alone. Ebbys remains were found on May 22, 2018, a mere 60 feet from where her car had been found two years earlier. She knew her daughter was in danger. The men implicated in Ebbys rape have been spoken to by investigators, but there have been no formal searches of their cellphones for the alleged video of her rape. Her ability to forecast the sun despite the rainiest of days made her a special young woman, introducing serenity to a world that so deeply . In early fall, Laurie and Michael began receiving calls from the high school reporting Ebbys truancy. "She would still be dead if they found her in a week," Laurie said. Laurie said the days since Ebby died, have been filled with trying to find out what happened to her daughter in October of 2015. Police arrived over an hour later and after a quick inspection, told her it was sewage. "She was very funny, Laurie said. There have been a lot of rumors swirling about why this case has not been solved yet. Descried as bubbly and of a big heart, Ebby was known for going out of her way to help the ones she loved. Surveillance footage was also located about a week after Ebby went missing, which showed her car travelling along Cantrell Road in west Little Rock. Tommy Hudson is the detective who was responsible for finding Ebby's body. Working dogs also take non-verbal clues from their handlers. Almost 3 years later, her remains were discovered in the same park. Days later, Ebby's Volkswagen Passat was found parked in Chalamont Park. On Thursday,. Ebbys body was found in a drainpipe in her hometown of Little Rock, AR, and the mystery that still shrouds her death has left an indelible mark of grief on her family and friends, especially Ebbys mother, Laurie. 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The woman who reported the smell to police felt they had initially shrugged her off, not showing up until an hour after she had first phoned in. Ebby, thats not a good position, dont put yourself in that. But then kind of that week, I stopped putting such a huge emphasis on it. I am more likely to think the delays and mishandling of evidence can be chalked up to incompetence and indifference, although anything is possible. Its also unclear why Ebbys remains werent located for three years, when multiple searches had taken place in the vicinity, even with a cadaver dog. Upcoming on In Pursuit. The last known contact she had on October 25 was with her older brother, Trevor. By that time, I just knew in my soul that something was really wrong, Ebbys mother, Laurie Jeringan, told Dateline. Then, Eric, Ebbys on-again, off-again boyfriend, reveals vital information on Ebbys behaviors right up until her disappearance. So they turned to the police. Are You Involved in a Story Making Headlines? Her disappearance ended 4 years ago when Little Rock police found Ebby's remains in a drainpipe, 60-feet from where they found her car at the beginning of the investigation in 2015. I believe that it is just the result of poor investigating. If I remember correctly, the original officer on the case was texting Ebby's mom on her private cell, and it was somewhat abusive and inappropriate. The case made national news and people from all over the world contacted the Little Rock Police Department and the family with bogus tips, some even claiming to be holding Ebby captive as they demanded money for her safe return. Together, they will continue to work on any new developments in this case.. Ebbys mother Laurie told Dateline she was devastated to see Hudson leave, but is hopeful that Maxwell will solve the case and finally get justice for Ebby. And I knew it was Ebby.. gossipgossipblah 4 yr. ago This is just outrageous to me. Photo provided by Ebby's mother Laurie Jernigan. The blockage was pulled up by the bulldozer and turned around and there she was, right in front of me, Hudson said. Map of Chalamont Park and where Ebby was located. He had retired earlier in the year, but returned just months later to help with the new cold case unit. He never gave up on her, on finding out what happened, she said. Her keys, her phone, her purse, makeup and contact lenses were scattered inside. Laurie, who has met with Dr. Phil twice, returns because she says she is now pleading with the public to share any information they may have. The remainder was frittered away in about 4 years of drunken extravagance. Family: Ebby Steppach's Death is Being Investigated as a Homicide. Ebby called him, sounding panicked and disoriented. Ebby Steppach was born on March 31, 1997, and lived in Little Rock, Arkansas with her mom and step-dad, Laurie and Michael Jernigan, and two siblings, Trevor and Harris. Ebby got sober through the Oxford Group, and carried the message of salvation through religious conversion to his old friend, Bill. But that information will not be released, to avoid jeopardizing the case. Fort Valley State University student Missing Where is Anitra Gunn? Although Hudson would not tell Dateline how Ebby died, because he believes it would interfere with the investigation, he said her death is being investigated as a homicide. Listen iHeartPodcast's " Hell and Gone " is back with a 4th season, and this time, host Catherine Townsend is diving into the murder of Ebby Steppach. LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas The death of Ebby Steppach-- it's a case that has baffled the public and police for several years. [3] Days before her disappearance, she had accused four men of gang-raping her at a party she had attended. He initially hesitated to take the case, but once he saw the shotty investigation he knew he had to do something and began tracking Ebbys final movements. If the police weren't interested, or perhaps not motivating the dogs well, they are also less likely to find anything. Towards the beginning of the school year, she left her family's home to gain her parents' freedom. They were only 60 feet away from where her car had been abandoned. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. But someone else needs him now.. Ebby Steppach / Date of death. In the News - Published on May 19, 2022 Dr. Phil devotes his platform to shine a light on the 2015 disappearance and subsequent death of 18-year-old Ebby Steppach; a story that dominated national news. But later that evening, Ebby had stopped responding to Michael. Danielle explained she tried to warn Ebby that the new friends she was making didnt seem like the best crowd. After Ebby disappeared in 2015, her family mounted a campaign to find her, and on May 22, 2018, her remains were discovered inside a drainage pipe in Chalamont Park. Something happened to her.. There was no doubt it was her.. She was really rebelling and fighting, fighting back and storming out, Laurie said. During this time in her life, she also got a job at the Foot Locker in McCain Mall, a move her family says coincided with a change in behaviour. And they were stopped in their tracks. There was a drainage pipe not far from the car, and it had rained in the days after she went missing, he said. When she was 18 years old, Ebby started acting contrary to how those around her expected. The blockage was pulled up by the bulldozer and turned around and there she was, right in front of me, Hudson said. Later on October 24, Michael called his stepdaughter and told her he would meet her at her grandparents house, where she was reportedly staying at the time. Upon the pipe being excavated, human remains were found. She loves her family so much, she wouldnt cause her family this much pain, Steppachs mother, Laurie Steppach, told KATV. Investigations, which also promised to make donations to safe houses in Ebbys memory. She explained that Ebby had started a new job, started hanging out with a different crowd, changed schools - all of which she believes led to the rebellion. Concerned, the family conducted their own search for Ebby. I listen to too many. Ebby Thatcher, San Jose CA, 3-4-61. If Ebby had been found right away, we wouldn't have had to go through this nightmare, she said. Unsolved Homicide: Who Put Ebby Steppach in the Drain: With Phil McGraw. Ebby had spent the day with her grandparents, and left their house around 8 p.m. telling them she was going to meet her stepfather. Ill be back to spend the night. Ebby Steppach died six years ago today, still no arrests Debi believes someone is responsible for her granddaughter's death, saying, "there is somebody or somebodies that know exactly what happened to her." Her prayer is that whoever is responsible will come forward and confess, leaving no more questions, only good memories, behind. Shortly following the news of Hudson's retirement, Little Rock Police Department released a statement about Ebby's case: The Little Rock Police Department is committed to work collectively to resolve all cold cases; more specifically the Ebby Steppach case. If she was a runaway like the police kept saying, she wouldve taken her makeup. She saved her money and worked hard to buy really nice makeup, Laurie said. Laurie told Dateline investigators continued to call Ebby a runaway and assured Laurie shed be back soon. And she never showed up at the police station. He also added that they have persons of interest in the case and have interviewed multiple people, but no one had been named a suspect at this time. In addition, Ebby moved out of her parents house and into her older brother, Trevors home. On October 30, 2015, the Little Rock Police Department searched an abandoned car in a small r "I'm grateful that I wasn't told about that text, about what happened," Laurie said. The next evening around 5:30 p.m., Ebby called her brother, Trevor, and told him that she was in her car, but didnt know where she was. Ebby Steppach was born on March 31, 1997. So he delved deep into the case, determined to solve it. I think it was too much on his heart, his mother Laurie told Dateline. [4] The car had an empty gas tank as well as a dead battery, and the key had been left in the ignition. It is situated at Chalamont Park in Little Rock, Arkansas. Ebby Steppach was creative. There was no doubt it was her.. At around 2:00pm on October 25, Trevor managed to get a hold of his sister, who said she was parked outside his house. He told Dateline that mistakes were made early on in the case before he was brought on to help solve it. This one is so bizarre. Ebby Jane Steppach was 18 years old when she disappeared in late October 2015. Ebbys family contacted everyone they knew and anyone they thought may have been in contact with Ebby. As of today, the case is still open and unsolved. The security guard explained that Ebby met a man there on multiple occasions. [9], Around 10a.m.[9] on May 24, 2018, while performing another search of Chalamont Park, police discovered skeletal remains in a drainage pipe in the vicinity where Steppach's car had been discovered. But no one knew where she was. Growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas, she lived with her mother, Laurie Jernigan; her stepfather, Michael Jernigan; her older brother, Trevor; and her younger sister, Harris. The Vanished did a great story on this. But someone else needs him now.. [14], In 2021, her case was the subject of season 1 of the podcast "Subterfuge in Chalamont Park". It was around that time that Laurie said the 18-year-old high school student started to change. Now-retired Little Rock Police homicide detective Tommy Hudson stepped in and took over Ebbys case in 2017. The remains were confirmed by the Little Rock Police Department, according to a reporter for KARK 4 News on Wednesday. Ebby Jane Steppach (March 31, 1997 - October 25, 2015) [2] was an American woman who disappeared under mysterious circumstances in Little Rock, Arkansas. Thats when Trevor told me something was terribly wrong, Laurie said. Searches of the woods around the park were undertaken, but no sign of Ebby was found. Ebby family were unaware of the odor until after the remains were IDd. Who killed Ebby, and why did it take so long to find her body? "She was very funny, Laurie said. Remains found in an underground pipe in a Little Rock park have been confirmed as those of Ebby Steppach, who went missing in 2015. I understand her strong will, I understand all of that. The Disappearance of Nguyet Thu Wiki Phung, Case Update: Brittanee Drexels Remains Discovered After 13 Years, Suspect Charged, The Disappearances of Tina & Bethany Sinclair. After the fundraiser, a birthday party was held for Ebby. Her car was found abandoned in a West Little Rock park days later, but her body wasn't discovered until May of 2018 . That's what I'm wondering, too. Ebby had spent the day with her grandparents, and left their house around 8 p.m. telling them she was going to meet her stepfather. It was up to us to clean up the mess and basically start from the beginning. The next day, after seeing the vehicle still there as he did his rounds, he once again called and waited for police, who finally arrived around an hour later and discovered it belonged to Steppach. "Maybe if we ignore it, it will go away." I wish my job worked that way. Worried about Ebby, numerous family members tried to reach out to her, but received no response to their messages. According to private investigator Monty Vickers, Ebby also sent texts to her alleged rapists, threatening to go to the police with her claims. On October 27, her abandoned car was discovered in Chalamont Park in west Little Rock. 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Upon the arrival of police, Foley claimed she was kind of dismissed by the officers, who told her the park had been searched with recovery canines who would have picked up on the scent of human decomposition, and assured her it must be an animal or something.. Ebby Steppach. He lived in a house on Lomay Close with his wife Neha, and their two children - a 7 /yo girl and a 4 y/o. The first 2 years with Ebby it was a long time before I could grieve because I was fighting and Trevor happened instantly with no signs. In November 2015, the family offered up a $3,000 reward for information leading to her discovery. https://storiesoftheunsolved.com/2019/02/02/the-murder-of-ebby-steppach/, https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/may/31/report-of-smell-dismissed-in-15-2018053/?page=2, https://www.thv11.com/article/features/one-year-later-the-search-for-justice-in-ebby-steppach-case-continues/91-beb932ec-171e-481a-83a8-068ac173a8e2. In April 2016, volunteers searched for Ebby, beginning in the area near where her car was found and moving toward a wooded area near Markham and Bowman. I agree. Laurie said she later found out that after Ebby disappeared, Trevor spent his lunch hours searching the trunks of abandoned cars for his sister and traveling to other states following up on tips. "She would still be dead if they found her in a week," Laurie said. By Harriet Sokmensuer. Five months into the investigation, he spoke with the security guard who found her car. To laugh with her again.. The death of Ebby Steppach, a Little Rock teen who. In 1991 a woman was found dead by suicide in a hotel. On October 28, three days after Ebbys last contact with her brother, a security guard at Chalamont Park in west Little Rock reported an abandoned vehicle in the parking lot. It has taken a toll on our entire family.. During their conversation, she gave him the names of two of the men involved. She never responded to her grandmothers calls, either. But again, the case hit a snag when Hudson recently announced he was again retiring and relocating across the river, where he will help out at the North Little Rock Police Department cold case unit. At this point in the investigation, they still listed her as a runaway, as no signs of foul play or a struggle were present inside or outside of the vehicle. Cops took 5 years to arrest them. Replies analysing and speculating over the mystery and possible explanations are encouraged. I have peace because Ebby isnt alone. Teen, Man Charged in Abduction of Cleo Smith, 4, Girl Found Alive After 18 Days in Western Australia, Pregnant Caretaker Was Abducted While on the Job, and Man Is Charged with Murder After Body Found. She would not let you leave a room without making you laugh. Laurie said she was with her husband out to dinner at the time, but had no idea about the text. Ebby Jane Steppach was born March 31, 1997 at 6:30 a.m. She died October 25, 2015, the day her car was abandoned at Chalamont Park in West Little Rock. Nothing was found. The Steppach family offered a reward of $50,000 with information leading to their daughters discovery. LRPD treated the case as a runaway situation for almost 8 months, and by the time federal investigators got involved in 2016, crucial evidence had been lost. Around this time, Ebbys face and information were featured on billboards and banners across central Arkansas. He came in and saved the day on Ebbys case, Laurie said. But her family told local media they believed she was in danger. "Because I know I would've been hysterical and rushed over. She remained silent for nearly 24 hours. "It was something I just couldn't shake. After Guy notified police, he waited 2 hours for an officer to arrive however none did. Ebbys cellphone records indicate she made two calls to police that night, each about a minute long, but strangely Little Rock Police say they have no record of her calls. She loved her family, her friends, and served those closest to her with a carefree compassion and unflinching grace. [4] When he called her back, she answered, this time telling him she was in her car but was unsure where she was parked. Finally, her case was transferred to the homicide unit who were appalled with way the case was handled. So I kept thinking she might have been washed into the pipe, which would have made it more difficult to find her.. There are only two reasons here why this case has not been solved.A)The Little Rock police dept are completely stupid and boungled the case from the startor B) They know good and well who did it but they hid/destroyed evidence and drug their feet in order to protect the ones who murdered her. They are all good bois and gals but the science just isnt there. With this kind of police investigation who needs enemies? However, the pair had made no arrangements to meet away from the house. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Arkansas Online series about Ebbys disappearance: https://www.arkansasonline.com/ebby/, Stories of the Unsolved blog post: https://storiesoftheunsolved.com/2019/02/02/the-murder-of-ebby-steppach/, Arkansas Online article about police mishandling evidence & acting inappropriately: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/may/31/report-of-smell-dismissed-in-15-2018053/?page=2, THV11 follow up one year after remains were found: https://www.thv11.com/article/features/one-year-later-the-search-for-justice-in-ebby-steppach-case-continues/91-beb932ec-171e-481a-83a8-068ac173a8e2. She later texted the men implicated, threatening to report them to the authorities. The daughter of two hair stylists, she was already immersed in that world and the craft came naturally. General. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. In this season of Hell And Gone. They listed her as runaway and, as such, no search was conducted, despite her family saying she would never run away without keeping in contact with them. But Ebbys family and friends had already taken matters into their own hands and began passing out fliers across town, hoping someone had seen her. [4] Per a 2017 report, the men Steppach had accused of rape had all spoken to police, though no formal searches of their cell phones were done for the alleged video of Steppach's rape. While the search for Ebbys body ended in 2018, Tommy Hudson, the lead investigator on her case at the time kept working on finding her killer. Instead, Ebby got to spend that last day with her grandparents. Instead of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to non-profits H.A.L.O.S. Cheyann Klus went missing on December 2nd, 2017. Margie Foley, a family friend and mother of one of Steppachs best friends, claimed that she had smelled decomposition while doing a private search of the area and alerted the authorities. On October 13, 2005, Ebby's car was found in a small residential park, out of gas with the keys in the ignition. Friends of Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie are coming out of the woodwork and claiming that the couple's relationship history was toxic from the start. Ebby Steppach was an 18-year-old teenage girl living in Little Rock, Arkansas, with her parents when she started acting out. After hanging up from her phone call with her brother, Ebby was never heard from again. [4] On Friday, October 23, she attended a party at some point during the evening. Did Dr Bob drink before he died? When he died, I thought, now he knows what happened to her. Andrea Cavallier is a Digital Producer for Dateline NBC. My faith is so strong and I trust that God will bring answers, Laurie said. 26 related questions found. Her stepfather thinks at this point Ebby tried to track down the men to acquire the video of her rape in an attempt to regain her independence. Sep. 22 2021, Published 6:32 p.m. Her devotion in close relationships and drive to renew a prosperous life for herself was cut short by an unexplainable, unsolved murder in October of 2015, leaving all who knew her across her hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas (pronounced ARE-ken-SAW) grasping for . Little Rock Police spokesman Officer Steve Moore said cold case investigators were following up on Ebby Steppach's disappearance Tuesday when they found the skeletal remains in an underground. They first entered the top drain, near where the car was found, and hit an obstruction approximately 70 feet down. By that stage, the 18-year-old had been missing for nearly three years. It's why I searched here. The search to find her lasted until May 2018, when her remains were found in a drainpipe in Chalamont Park. However, where she was on the road has never been publicly released, nor if there was anyone else in the car with her. Something was there. Days after Steppachs disappearance, her Volkswagen vehicle was found in Chalamont Park, the station reports. Thats what we think about every day. I hope that one day that justice is brought down upon those that committed this crime, for the sake of her family and for her. (KTHV) - Oct. 24 is a heartbreaking anniversary for the family of Ebby Steppach. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. She also mentioned it had been recorded without her knowledge or consent. . Unsolved Homicide: Who Put Ebby Steppach in the Drainpipe? Her remains were found in a drainage pipe. Together, they will continue to work on any new developments in this case.. likeawolf 4 yr. ago My motto in general for life problems Our cold case unit is comprised of seasoned investigators who have retired as active members of the Little Rock Police Department. Her mother Laurie told Dateline that Ebby had texted Michael around 8 p.m. on October 24, 2015, and told him she had been raped by a group of men at a party and that the assault had been videotaped. Date of death: October 25, 2015, Died Place: Little Rock, Arkansas, United States: Nationality: American: Detective Bruce Maxwell has access to all of Hudsons work on the case and they are in constant contact. It was polar opposite than the Ebby we knew. So we had to wait. Vickers tried to contact the police for three months to offer assistance with the investigation, but his calls and emails went without reply. Ebby opted to move out and bounced around between staying with friends and her older brother, Trevor. She said she was outside his house, but when he went outside, she wasnt there. Her mother Laurie told Dateline that Ebby had texted Michael around 8 p.m. on October 24, 2015, and told him she had been raped by a group of men at a party and that the assault had been videotaped. [3] Days before her disappearance, she had accused four men of gang-raping her at a party she had attended. On the same day, its been reported that two one-minute calls were made from Ebbys cellphone to the Little Rock Police Department. For 8 months, Little Rock Police treated Ebby as a runaway, doing little to nothing to find her. Dr. Phil devotes his platform to shine a light on the 2015 disappearance and subsequent death of 18-year-old Ebby Steppach; a story that dominated national news. She knew her daughter was in danger. After Ebbys family wrote letters to the governor begging for help, the FBI voluntarily got involved, but crucial evidence had already been lost. She wasnt a so-called runaway. She later learned that Michael had agreed to help Ebby, so he took Laurie home and attempted to reach Ebby to make a plan. Her bones were found last Tuesday in a park drainage pipe in a Little Rock suburb, steps from where her car was discovered after she disappeared. At just 35 years old, he died of a massive heart attack. Ebby Jane Steppach had dreams of becoming a cosmetologist. Ebby Jane Steppach had dreams of becoming a cosmetologist. And it was broken all over the car. Several searches were conducted in the park by both police and volunteers. However, they claim they have no records of these calls having been placed. They called 911 when the mother said she smelled decomposition. In 2018, Laurie Jernigan filed a complaint with the LRPD that certain officers had sent her threatening text messages, yelled at her and refused to provide her with updates early on in the case. During their conversation, he shared that he believed hed seen Ebby three different times before her disappearance. The remains of an Arkansas teen who vanished more than two years ago have been found, and police tell Oxygen.com that what had been a missing persons case is now a homicide investigation.Ebby Steppach, 18, was last seen alive on October 24, 2015. Ebby Jane Steppach had dreams of becoming a cosmetologist. Feel free to read more at the resources below, and please let me know what you think about this case. And that's something that has given me solace.". Working off a gut instinct, Hudson told Dateline he felt they needed to take another look in the park where Ebbys car was found back in 2015. On the night of October 23, 2015, Ebby attended a house party, where she claimed to have been raped. The daughter of two hair stylists, she was already immersed in that world and the craft came naturally. The remains had been about 60 feet from where the car was discovered. On May 22nd, 2018, Steppach's skeletal remains were discovered in a drainage pipe beside the parking lot. But later that evening, Ebby had stopped responding to Michael. I think the most frustrating part, as most would agree, is that the most obvious place where her remains would be, were never searched. She submitted recordings of conversations, text message threads, emails and provided witnesses as evidence. [4], Several searches of Chalamont Park were undertaken after the discovery of Steppach's car, though no additional evidence was found in the surrounding woods. Ebby Steppach case still open, preliminary cause of death determined but wont be released, One year later | The search for justice for Ebby continues, Days after Ebby Steppach disappeared, police shrugged off pipe odor, caller says, Mysterious 911 call and the disappearance of Cheyann Klus, Dr. Dharmesh Patel (41) attempted to kill his family by driving their Tesla off a 300 foot cliff, Ana Walshe is missing after her husband googled 'how to dispose of a 115 pound womans body', Jennifer Fairgate and her briefcase of bullets, Florida Cosplay/Cam Girl, Melissa Turner stabs her boyfriend to death and waits 4 hours to call 911, Tristyn Bailey (13) was stabbed 114 times, allegedly by her 14 y/o classmate. At the time, Little Rock police believed Steppach ran away. Ebbys mother said Little Rock Police refused to check which tower Ebbys phone pinged off when she made the final call to her brother. Yesterday, God answered the familys prayers to find Ebby.. That was the last time anyone in Ebbys family saw her. Ebbys cell phone records show that she made two calls to the Little Rock Police Department that night, each about a minute long. [4], The following day, October 24, 2015,[6] Steppach arrived at her mother's home, and informed her stepfather that she had been gang raped by four individuals[7] at the party and wanted to report the incident to authorities. It seems as though most unsolved cases begin with a very poor investigation. May 22, 2018 Around 10 a.m., while performing another search of Chalamont Park, police discovered skeletal remains in a drainage pipe in the vicinity where Steppachs car had been discovered. Officers with the Little Rock Police Department searched the park, but came up empty-handed. There's just a lot that doesn't make sense. If you have any information about the disappearance and murder of Ebby Steppach, please call the Little Rock Police Department at (501) 404-3128. In 2018, authorities returned to the park where her abandoned car had been . Passionate for expression and individualism. But no one knew where she was. She was unable to tell him who she was with or where she was. And I knew it was Ebby.. Its unclear what compelled investigators to search the pipe specifically on Tuesday. This is a very sad case. Something happened to her.. In my hometown there was a gang rape and murder with 8 people involved who had loudly threated to kill the girl in the middle of the town green the same day they killed her. If Ebby had been found right away, we wouldn't have had to go through this nightmare, she said. Well, with God, Ill make it through.. The last person to hear from Ebby was her brother, Trevor, on Sunday, October 25. When he died, I thought, now he knows what happened to her. There was a drainage pipe not far from the car, and it had rained in the days after she went missing, he said. So when the vibrant eyeshadow palettes and tubes of lipstick were found broken and scattered throughout her car just days after she was reported missing, Ebbys mother knew something was wrong. That still begs the question why no one thoroughly searched the area (with or without dogs) in November 2015 when Ebby's friend and her mom smelled decomposition in the park. Along with the Homicide Unit, the departments Cold Case Unit also examined the case and came up with numerous theories as to what could have happened to Ebby. The family thanked the numerous people involved in the investigation, including a Little Rock Cold Case Detective, Tommy Hudson, and members of the cold case unit, as well as the FBI. "It was a gut feeling with all of us," he said. We were told that we couldn't file a police report for 12 hours, Laurie said. [12] Margie Foley, a family friend and mother of one of Steppach's best friends, claimed that she had smelled decomposition while doing a private search of the area, and alerted the authorities. What worried her mother most of all was the condition of Ebbys makeup. She was really rebelling and fighting, fighting back and storming out, Laurie said. Cadaver dogs are much less likely to find remains if they're not fresh. She was lost and told him she was fucked up.. [1], Ebby Jane Steppach was an 18 year-old high school student in Little Rock, Arkansas who was completing her senior year at Little Rock Central High School. She remained a missing person for nearly three years before her body was discovered in a drainage pipe in the immediate vicinity of her car in May 2018. 100GB with M1 Maxxs $15 U.P. I moved to Little Rock in the summer of 2015 and remember seeing Ebbys missing posters everywhere that fall. And definitely her contacts. For Ebby's family and friends, they just want answers. Ebby Jane Steppach was an 18-year-old senior at Little Rock Central High School, Arkansas. When the Little Rock Police Department began investigating the case as more than a runaway, it was handed to the Violent Crimes Division. Ebby was going through a tumultuous time in her senior year, as many teens do. One year ago today, the remains of 18-year-old Ebby Steppach were discovered in a West Little Rock park. Ebby Steppach death: New theories revealed on Dr. Phil Show 2,786 views May 19, 2022 A Dr. Phil episode aired on Thursday focusing on the disappearance and death of Little Rock's Ebby. When Ebbys remains were found, Laurie was devastated. TELL DR. PHIL YOUR STORY: Have a story in the news? So we had to wait. I would give anything to hear her laugh again. When I got the case, there were things that werent done that shouldve been done on the front end, Hudson said, explaining that interviewing key witnesses and checking surveillance footage had not been done. I really feel sorry for their mother. It was hard for all of us.. A subreddit dedicated to the unresolved mysteries of the world. As they felt the police werent taking Ebbys disappearance seriously, her family approached the media to help widen word of their missing loved one. So Ebbys mom and stepfather, Michael, told her she needed to behave in a respectful manner or she needed to move out. The first time he saw her, she was with two men and had asked the trio to leave, which they did without argument. Her remains were missed in all the searches. We could have put her to rest. When Ebbys parents recieved her car back from Little Rock Police, the interior and many of her personal belongings were water damaged due to the trunk being left open during a storm by police. Those with information regarding the case are being asked to call the Little Rock Police Department at 501-371-4829. The Vanished maybe, before she was found? Forum Rules And Guidlines. Little Rock Police Capt. Rules and Guidelines. I wanted to check the park again.". She remained a missing person for nearly three years before her body was discovered in a drainage pipe in Chalamont Park in May 2018, in the immediate vicinity of where her car had been found. Vanished: Heidi Broussard (33) and Margot Carey (2wks). He also said the medical examiner has determined a preliminary cause of death. During the multiple searches for Ebby, a team looking through a remote wooded area of Little Rock stumbled across a site, consisting of clothes, handcuffs, a skeletal leg bone and a shoe that resembled one that the missing girl would wear. Learn how your comment data is processed. James and Michelle Butler: The Senseless Murder of 21-Year-Navy Veteran and Wife. In 2010, Amber Tuccaro was seen getting into the car of What are some cases involving murder or suspicious What is a case where the victim was found out to have What is a baffling case that doesn't get the attention it Brooklyn Jane Doe (2015) Identified As Missing Mother. As they felt local police werent taking the case seriously, Ebbys family hired private investigator Monty Vickers, who acted as a go-between between them and investigators. Working off a gut instinct, Hudson told Dateline he felt they needed to take another look in the park where Ebbys car was found back in 2015. While initially believed to possibly be related to the case, it was later determined the leg bone belonged to an animal. Ebbys mother Laurie told Dateline she was devastated to see Hudson leave, but is hopeful that Maxwell will solve the case and finally get justice for Ebby. In 2017, Laurie participated in Closer to Home Arkansas Takes Action, which was hosted by Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. I have peace knowing neither Ebby or Trevor are alone. [4] On October 21, 2015, Steppach missed school. They are thankful for the life they got to share with her and ask for continued support and prayers as they work through this difficult time, the statement read. While he isnt one hundred percent certain the girl he saw was Ebby, he says she does resemble the images of Ebby hes been shown. Hudson obtained maps of the drainage pipes from the city and took a team back down to Chalamont Park, where they sent cameras down drainage pipes. Ebby was a young woman with big dreams and a fiery personality, who loved her family and had a big heart for those less fortunate. Ebby Jane Steppach was born March 31, 1997 at 6:30 a.m. She died October 25, 2015, the day her car was abandoned at Chalamont Park in West Little Rock. Site Layout Map. The daughter of two hair stylists, she was already immersed in that world and the craft came naturally. Ebbys death has been classified as a homicide and her killer(s) is/are still unknown. You go to Walgreens and you see Mothers Day cards and you think I only have one child out of three left. On October 24, she texted her stepfather to inform him of the rape and to say she wanted to go to police about it.
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