The story of Laura and Maryann Reid
Not long now!
It was a typical day for the employees at the non-profit Care & Share program located in NW Arkansas on 10/3/17. Volunteers consisting of mostly elderly retired individuals began to arrive to start out their day of caring for those less fortunate in the surrounding areas. Co-workers of Ms. Susan Hazard noticed her absence and had received a voicemail from her stating that she would not be in that day as she was home sick. Since this was so out of character for her they began to call and check on her. When Susan answered her phone it was apparent that she had just been through one of the roughest nights of her entire life and this would be worse than the typical 24 hour stomach bug. Susan had just endured 18 hours of a brutal assault by a 31 year old man that would change her life forever.
According to The National Domestic Violence Hotline, on average it will take a victim SEVEN TIMES to leave an abusive relationship before staying away for good. This wasn't the case for a single mother from Conway, Arkansas. It took her only one attempt to escape from the torment of her own prison that at one time was thought to be a budding relationship. Instead, the relationship withered away to a death sentence of a crime for which she did not commit. If you are a victim or know a victim of domestic abuse and need help, reach out to The National Domestic Violence Hotline by dialing 1-800-799-SAFE or 1-844-237-2331 www.thecenteronline.org You don't have to sit in silence and suffer, you are not alone and NEVER be too afraid to reach out. There are people out there who are willing to help.
It was a cold Sunday morning on January 15, 2012, bound to turn into a beautiful day with highs headed In to the mid 60's. Fifteen year old Colton Harvey is awakened by his parents around 7-8 am. He isn't the most pleasant teenager to be around as most adolescent boys aren't usually the perkiest early morning risers, especially when you're still grounded because your Dad found your stash of chewing tobacco in the pocket of your jacket just 2 days prior. For all the bright, cheerful and bubbly personality that Candace was, there was the same amount of dark, sad and something lingering over Colton that just simply could not be described. Colton was Candace's polar opposite. Though he never really acted out in school, caused the local neighbors any trouble or ever really even been known as a troublesome kid, he did seem to act out towards his parents a lot at home and of course, in turn this would land him in some sort of a punishment. This would be the case on January 13, 2012. Colton...
The year is 2005, in late August, its Hurricane season for those that enjoy the salty life. Here in Arkansas, a young man packs his belongings & loads up his car in preparation to travel the 200 + miles that will take him South to Louisiana. He is an electrician & wherever his skills are needed, he is willing to travel in order to provide for his daughter and her mother. As his Mother, Pam watches her son load his car with his personal items, she is of course hoping for safe travels and a quick return. She certainly never imagined that in just 6 short days she would be burying her son.
It was Fall, October 11, 1993. Julie Heath left her home in Malvern, Arkansas to make the 42 minute drive to Hot Springs, AR, which was about 22 miles. Her route would take her NW on US Highway 270, a trip to which Julie was no stranger. However, as fate would have it, when she said goodbye to her family that evening as she was leaving, this would be the last time they would ever talk to or see her alive again.
In Ft. Smith, Arkansas, along I-40, taking the Kelly HWY Exit, Ft. Smith Patrolman, Randy Basnett and an outlaw on the run whom of which is wanted for a double homicide out of Columbia, South Carolina would come face to face. John Edward Swindler, a native of South Carolina was headed to Leavenworth, KS to settle a personal grudge when he made a wrong turn and pulled in to the service station where Officer Basnett was parked. This meeting would prove to be fatal for Officer Basnett and send Swindler to the iconic electric chair Arkansans have come to know as "Ol' Sparky" some 14 years later.
The son of a popular nightclub owner was murdered in his own home after a domestic dispute turns deadly. The suspect, also known as his wife, claims self defense despite of the fact there was no records supporting her defense. This case will leave you scratching your head and make you realize just how easy it can be to get away with a cold blooded murder.
Lisa Rene, only 16 years old and a native of the Virgin Islands relocated to Arlington, Texas to live with her older sister, Pearl. She had future goals of becoming a physician and was working harder on her studies to further her education in order to reach her goal. On the night of September 24, 1994, Lisa was staying home so she could study for her upcoming finals. She was a straight A student and had no intentions of jeopardizing her plans to reach her goal as future physician. Lisa's 2 brothers, whom of which also lived in the same apartment with Lisa and their older sister, went out that night to a concert in nearby Houston, Tx. Pearl was also away from home that night. This quiet time provided Lisa with the perfect opportunity to get some good studying in for those finals. Around 8 pm she heard a banging on the door followed by a man's voice stating he was the "FBI, Open the door", no way was she going to fall for that trick. Quickly called her Aunt Pear to notify her of the s...