In what was meant to be a straightforward sale arranged online, a tragedy unfolded in Little Rock, Arkansas, ending the life of a beloved family man. Frank Steinsiek, a 56-year-old Caucasian male from Sherwood, was a husband, father, and grandfather known for his kindness and generosity. His life was cut short on February 11, 2015, when he met with a potential buyer for his 2009 Yamaha R-1 motorcycle.
The meeting, which took place in a parking lot at 1900 65th Street in Little Rock, was
orchestrated through a Facebook agreement. Steinsiek arrived with his motorcycle on a U-Haul trailer, towed by his white Ford pickup truck, expecting a simple transaction. Instead, he was met with violence. The man he had arranged to meet shot him in the side and head, leaving him for dead and stealing his truck, trailer, and motorcycle. Emergency crews found Steinsiek unresponsive, and he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
The investigation quickly led police to a suspect, 24-year-old Jeramye Hobbs. Hobbs reportedly contacted a local news station after seeing photos of the stolen motorcycle and trailer being circulated. Following a lengthy conversation with authorities, he was arrested and charged with capital murder. It was later revealed that at the time of the murder, Hobbs was on probation for a felony theft charge.
Ultimately, Jeramye Hobbs was found guilty of the murder of Frank Steinsiek and sentenced to 40 years in prison. The senseless act of violence left a deep void in the lives of Steinsiek's family and friends, who remember him as a man who would do anything for anyone. In the wake of his death, his family has worked to raise awareness about the potential dangers of online transactions and to keep his memory alive through community events, such as an annual hockey tournament held in his honor.
