The Unresolved Tragedy of Dana Stidham: A Community's Quest for Justice

A Promising Life Cut Short

In the summer of 1989, 18-year-old Dana Lynell Stidham had just graduated from Gravette High School in Gravette, Arkansas. Known for her artistic talents and warm personality, Dana was at a crossroads, contemplating her future and considering enrolling at the University of Arkansas. She had recently moved to an apartment in Centerton with her brother, Larry, and a few friends, marking the beginning of her journey into adulthood. Her close-knit family, including her parents, Lawrence and Georgia, were supportive of her aspirations and proud of her achievements.

The Day of Disappearance

On July 25, 1989, Dana visited her parents' home in Hiwasse to do laundry and spend time with her family. Her father, Lawrence, was feeling unwell and asked Dana to run an errand to Phillips Food Center in Bella Vista to purchase medication and a few household items. Dana, always willing to help, agreed and left the house around 2:45 p.m. She was last seen at the store at 3:17 p.m., where she purchased Alka-Seltzer, dishwashing soap, and sugar. After briefly chatting with friends and an older employee in the parking lot, she drove off, intending to return home. Tragically, she never made it back.

The Mysterious Abandonment of Dana's Car

The following morning, at approximately 6:30 a.m. on July 26, Sgt. Karen Myers of the Bella Vista Sheriff's Station discovered Dana's 1984 gray Dodge Omni abandoned on the southbound shoulder of U.S. Highway 71 near Wellington Road. The vehicle presented several puzzling details: the keys were still in the ignition, the driver's side window was halfway down, and the left rear tire was slightly deflated but still drivable. Notably, the driver's seat was adjusted for someone much taller than Dana, suggesting another individual had driven the car to that location. There were no signs of a struggle, but Dana's purse was missing. A time-stamped receipt from Phillips Food Center confirmed her purchase at 3:17 p.m. the previous day. These anomalies deepened the mystery surrounding her sudden disappearance.

Unfolding Clues and Community Efforts

In the days following Dana's disappearance, the community rallied together, and law enforcement intensified their search efforts. On August 5, a significant breakthrough occurred when a resident's dog brought home Dana's denim purse. This discovery led investigators to a nearby area where they found her checkbook, driver's license, and photographs scattered along Chaucer and Hanover roads, as if discarded from a moving vehicle. Despite these findings, there was still no trace of Dana herself, leaving her family and the community in a state of anguish and uncertainty....Read More

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