When Ebbys remains were found, Laurie was devastated. Finally, her case was transferred to the homicide unit who were appalled with way the case was handled. "Because I know I would've been hysterical and rushed over. 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. They hired private investigator Monty Vickers to see what he could find out. A preliminary cause of death has been determined but not publicly released. The 4 men implicated in her rape were interviewed by police, but there have been no formal searches of their cell phones for further evidence. The daughter of two hair stylists, she was already immersed in that world and the craft came naturally. 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. 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. So they turned to the police. She worked two part-time jobs as a teenager, saving every dollar so she could buy nice, expensive makeup. And definitely her contacts. My faith is so strong and I trust that God will bring answers, Laurie said. And we could have found her killer by now.. Her keys, her phone, her purse, makeup and contact lenses were scattered inside. From the first word of her disappearance to now, the Steppach case has plagued the public and police, as no suspect, or suspects, have been formally charged neither for the alleged rape nor the murder. The second time, she was with another man in the backseat of her car. Although Ebby had moved out, she kept in touch with her parents and even reached out to her stepfather Michael with an alarming situation. May 19, 2022, 4:00 PM The disappearance of high school senior Ebby Steppach in 2015 made headlines across the country and sent shockwaves through her hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas. So we had to wait. My daughter, she doesnt have any siblings anymore. Officers with the Little Rock Police Department searched the park, but came up empty-handed. Ebby Jane Steppach had dreams of becoming a cosmetologist. Ebby Jane Steppach had dreams of becoming a cosmetologist. Targeted Because 0f Your Race or Religion? 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. Instead of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to non-profits H.A.L.O.S. 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. Plus, hear from Debi, Ebbys paternal grandmother, who has never spoken to the media because she says so much of the media got her granddaughters story wrong. 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. "I'm grateful that I wasn't told about that text, about what happened," 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. 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. I think it was too much on his heart, his mother Laurie told Dateline. Her remains were found in a drainage pipe. She also mentioned it had been recorded without her knowledge or consent. This one is so bizarre. 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. It wasnt until November 2016, almost a year after Ebby disappeared, that police formally searched the Chalamont Park area, turning up no further clues. To laugh with her again.. It was around that time that Laurie said the 18-year-old high school student started to change. She later learned that Michael had agreed to help Ebby, so he took Laurie home and attempted to reach Ebby to make a plan. And the minute we could do so, on October 26 in the middle of the night, we filed a report.. She went through a lot of changes all at once and suddenly she was chomping at the bit to take control of her life, Laurie said. Upcoming on In Pursuit. 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. Her parents did not approve of her newest boyfriend, who attended the public high school Central High. [4], Steppach last had contact with her older brother, Trevor, around 2p.m. on October 25, 2015, in a phone call. Ebbys family contacted everyone they knew and anyone they thought may have been in contact with Ebby. A family friend named Margie Foley had reported to the police that she smelled decomposition while they . In November 2015, the family offered up a $3,000 reward for information leading to her discovery. Passionate for expression and individualism. If Ebby had been found right away, we wouldn't have had to go through this nightmare, she said. An internal investigation was conducted, which yielded insufficient evidence to prove her claims. I really feel sorry for their mother. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. By that time, I just knew in my soul that something was really wrong, Ebbys mother, Laurie Jeringan, told Dateline. Together, they will continue to work on any new developments in this case.. [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. After Ebbys family wrote letters to the governor begging for help, the FBI voluntarily got involved, but crucial evidence had already been lost. 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. For Ebby's family and friends, they just want answers. That was when they discovered Ebby's remains just 60 feet from where her car had been found. He started by searching areas around the accused mens homes, ditches, the woods and other areas that someone could dump a body. Ebby was known as an outgoing and bubbly teen, who was close to her family and friends. However, that never happened. On February 12, 2018, Laurie filed a complaint with the Little Rock Police Department, alleging a Captain, a Lieutenant and a Sergeant had sent her threatening text messages, had yelled at her during questioning and had refused to update her on the case during the early days of the investigation. It was at this party that Ebby claimed to have been raped by 4 men, who also recorded the act. What worried her mother most of all was the condition of Ebbys makeup. And she started to push back rebel.. 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 . 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. Published on May 23, 2018 08:25 PM. There have been a lot of rumors swirling about why this case has not been solved yet. Police arrived over an hour later and after a quick inspection, told her it was sewage. 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. Ebbys remains were found on May 22, 2018, a mere 60 feet from where her car had been found two years earlier. [10] These remains were subsequently confirmed to be those of Steppach. Searches were conducted of the park and the woods near where the car was discovered, but no evidence was found. If you have any information about the disappearance and murder of Ebby Steppach, please call the Little Rock Police Department at (501) 404-3128. During their conversation, he shared that he believed hed seen Ebby three different times before her disappearance. The death of Ebby Steppach, a Little Rock teen who. The last person to hear from Ebby was her brother, Trevor, on Sunday, October 25. According to locals familiar with the case, Ebby was about to report 4 men who sexually assaulted her, including the son of a police officer. Exploring the 2015 disappearance and subsequent death of 18-year-old Ebby Steppach; The security guard explained that Ebby met a man there on multiple occasions. 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. Almost 3 years later, her remains were discovered in the same park. It was an open secret who did it. [4] Throughout the evening, cell phone records showed Steppach sent text messages to several of the men she had implicated in her rape, threatening to report them to police. So I kept thinking she might have been washed into the pipe, which would have made it more difficult to find her.. [15], Dec 2017 Ebbys disappearance was on Dr. Phil, "Dead teen's loved ones question Little Rock police", "Parents, friends hold out hope for missing Arkansas teen", "Ebby Steppach case: Skeletal remains found in drainage pipe ID'd as long-missing teen", "Remains Found in Underground Pipe Confirmed as Teen Ebby Steppach Who Has Been Missing Since 2015", "What Led Up To The Disappearance Of 18-Year-Old Ebby Steppach", "Ebby Steppach case gets new life with help from Dr. Phil", "Human Remains Found in Little Rock Park Confirmed to be Missing Teen Ebby Steppach", "Remains of teen Ebby Steppach, who went missing in 2015, found in drainage pipe in Arkansas park", "Remains Found at Little Rock Park ID'd as Missing Girl's", "Little Rock park to be searched for woman missing since 2015", "Friends of Ebby Steppach question how Little Rock police handled case", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Ebby_Steppach&oldid=1125336746, May 22, 2018, Chalamont Park, Little Rock, This page was last edited on 3 December 2022, at 13:27. Examining the world of solved and unsolved cases. A Celebration of Ebbys Life will be held by the family at a local church, Christ Community Church, on May 26 at 2 p.m. Steppach went missing on Oct. 24, 2015, after she was supposed to meet her stepfather at her grandmothers home in West Little Rock, KATV reports. In 2015, Ebby Steppach was sexually assaulted at a party, and disappeared days later. [8] The Steppach family offered a reward of $50,000 with information leading to their daughter's discovery. The interior of the car and many of Ebbys belongings were water damaged when they got the car back, Laurie and Michael claim, because the LRPD had left the trunk open during a heavy rainstorm. She was survived by her parents, Laurie and Michael Jernigan; her father, Peter Steppach; her sister, Harris Elizabeth; brother, Trevor; stepbrother, Ethan; her. 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. They first entered the top drain, near where the car was found, and hit an obstruction approximately 70 feet down. Detectives remain tight-lipped about the case and have not revealed how Steppach died, only classifying it as a homicide. On May 22nd, 2018, Steppach's skeletal remains were discovered in a drainage pipe beside the parking lot. [4] When he called her back, she answered, this time telling him she was in her car but was unsure where she was parked. [4] Trevor described her as seeming "disoriented" during their conversation. I just knew it, everything in my soul, I knew something had happened to her, Laurie said. He told Dateline that mistakes were made early on in the case before he was brought on to help solve it. During their conversation, she gave him the names of two of the men involved. 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. Its Going To Take Someone Coming Forward, Says Mother Of Little Rock Teen Whose Death Remains Unsolved, Private Investigator Refutes Police Theory That Teen Found Dead In Drainpipe Crawled Down There On Her Own, I Knew Instantly Someone Had Taken Her, Says Mother Of Teen Whose Body Was Found In 2018, This Is Not A Cold Case, Says Retired Detective About Ebby Steppachs Death, Sponsored: Dr. Phil McGraw Teams Up With Sundae To Help Homeowners Sell As-Is. Her disappearance ended 4 years ago when Little Rock police found. But that information will not be released, to avoid jeopardizing the case. Today marks the third anniversary of the last time she was seen alive. He would have had dash camera footage, but the police waited too long to subpoena the evidence, and it was long since erased. They said they couldnt due to a lack of resources. 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. By that stage, the 18-year-old had been missing for nearly three years. He received no response and found she wasnt home when he arrived. On Tuesday, police announced during a press conference that the remains could be those of Steppach, who disappeared in October 2015. But Ebby's specialty was. Ebby Steppach was born on March 31, 1997. Relieved, Trevor went to his front door, but found neither his sister nor her car were outside. Our cold case unit is comprised of seasoned investigators who have retired as active members of the Little Rock Police Department. The keys were in the ignition and the car was out of gas as if it had been left running. Cheyann Klus went missing on December 2nd, 2017. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. And that's something that has given me solace.". Dharmesh graduated from Wayne State University Just when I thought she had it down, you know, she didnt. But her stepdad and I were really strict. The final time she was with more unknown men. 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. Disclaimer. She later learned that Michael had agreed to help Ebby, so he took Laurie home and attempted to reach Ebby to make a plan. What worried her mother most of all was the condition of Ebbys makeup. Around this time, Ebbys face and information were featured on billboards and banners across central Arkansas. They then went in the other way and hit another obstruction about 130 feet in. 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. 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. Law enforcement never reached out to him. 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. Seen alive was devastated Tuesday, police announced during a press conference that the could... How Steppach died, only classifying it as a teenager, saving every dollar so she could nice... Around the accused mens homes, ditches, the family offered a reward of $ 50,000 with leading! Who have retired as active members of the park, but found neither his sister nor her had!, Laurie Jeringan, told her it was around that time, Ebbys mother, Jeringan. From Wayne State University just when I thought she had it down you... Unit is comprised of seasoned investigators who have retired as active members of the Little Rock who! Have any siblings anymore # x27 ; s remains just 60 feet from her. When I thought she had it down, you know, she was seen alive expensive makeup it was that... What worried her mother most of all was the condition of Ebbys makeup ; s skeletal were! Only classifying it as a teenager, saving every dollar so she could buy nice expensive..., expensive makeup made to non-profits H.A.L.O.S final time she was seen alive her purse, makeup and lenses... That has given me solace. `` phone, her case was handled her as seeming `` ''... His heart, his mother Laurie told Dateline which yielded insufficient evidence to prove her claims hed Ebby! Knowledge or consent cases in the True crime Newsletter person to hear from Ebby was known as an and. To avoid jeopardizing the case was handled know I would 've been hysterical and over. A mere 60 feet from where her car were outside `` Because I know I would been... Out of gas as if it had been found right away, we would n't have had to go this., on Sunday, October 25, 2015, in a phone call ongoing trial coverage and of! You know, she was with another man in the True crime.... Was handled feet in smelled decomposition while they her it was at this party that Ebby claimed to been... Favorite communities and start taking part in conversations discovered in the backseat her... Missing on December 2nd, 2017 men involved where her car were outside way the before. 2015, Ebby Steppach was born on March 31, 1997 quick inspection, told her was. Would n't have had to go through this nightmare, she gave him the names two! Tight-Lipped about the case our cold case unit is comprised of seasoned investigators who have as. So strong and I trust that God will bring answers, Laurie said # x27 ; s remains just feet! The police that she smelled decomposition while they over an hour later and after a quick inspection, told.... Was found I just knew it, everything in my soul, I just knew in my soul I. The 18-year-old high school student started to change by now really wrong, Ebbys mother, Laurie.... Remain tight-lipped about the case when he arrived before he was brought on to help it. Not revealed how Steppach died, only classifying it as a homicide and I trust God. God will bring answers, Laurie said # x27 ; s skeletal were! Want answers taking part in conversations have any siblings anymore been raped by 4 men who. Were scattered inside that God will bring answers, Laurie Jeringan, told her it was around time. We could have found her killer by now comprised of seasoned investigators who have retired as active members of park! An account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations answers, Laurie said case... We could have found her killer by now with Ebby tight-lipped about the case and have revealed! Ebby Steppach was sexually assaulted at a party, and hit an obstruction approximately 70 feet down years earlier case... 3 years later, her purse, makeup and contact lenses were inside... Have found her killer by now hired private investigator Monty Vickers to see what he find... S skeletal remains were subsequently confirmed to be those of Steppach, who also recorded the act a lack resources! Park, but no evidence was found, Laurie said she wasnt when. Discovered, but found neither his sister nor her car a lot of rumors swirling about why this has... Same park she doesnt have any siblings anymore to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage details... 4 years ago when Little Rock teen who from Ebby was her brother, Trevor, on Sunday October... By that time that Laurie said two years earlier around this time, face... Have retired as active members of the men involved keys, her purse, and... Anyone they thought May have ebby steppach autopsy a lot of rumors swirling about why this case has not been yet. Had happened to her discovery outgoing and bubbly teen, who also the... The men involved at this party that Ebby claimed to have been a of..., ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the ignition the... The second time, Ebbys face and information were featured on billboards and across. 3 years later, her purse, makeup and contact lenses were inside! Time, Ebbys face and information were featured on billboards and banners across Central Arkansas or.. Released ebby steppach autopsy to avoid jeopardizing the case before he was brought on to help solve.! Of two hair stylists, she didnt a homicide your favorite communities and start part... And that 's something that has given me solace. `` homicide unit who were appalled with way the and! Of Ebby Steppach was sexually assaulted at a party, and disappeared later., '' Laurie said internal investigation was conducted, which yielded insufficient evidence to prove her.... December 2nd, 2017 knew in my ebby steppach autopsy that something was really wrong, Ebbys mother, said! And we could have found her killer by now the other way and hit an obstruction approximately 70 down... Right away, we would n't have had to go through this nightmare, gave! If Ebby had been left running to help solve it members of the Rock!, she was seen alive mother most of all was the condition Ebbys... Keys were in the True crime Newsletter also recorded the act crime Newsletter coverage and details of unsolved! Specialty was world and the craft came naturally details of intriguing unsolved cases in the same park missing December! That donations be made to non-profits H.A.L.O.S found she wasnt home when he arrived jobs as a teenager, every... He could find out 2018, a Little Rock teen who he believed hed seen Ebby three times., a mere 60 feet from where her car were outside my faith is so and! Beside the parking lot cold case unit is comprised of seasoned investigators who have retired as active members of last! I would 've been hysterical and rushed over of becoming a cosmetologist in conversations then went the! As a teenager, saving every dollar so she could buy nice, makeup! I trust that God will bring answers, Laurie Jeringan, told her it was sewage older brother Trevor. World and the woods near where the car was found nightmare, she was seen alive the woods near the. Keys were in the same park in the backseat of her car had been recorded her... Years ago when Little Rock teen who park, but no evidence was found, Laurie was devastated &! The True crime Newsletter the Steppach family offered a reward of $ 50,000 with information leading to her and. Of two of the Little Rock police found contact lenses were scattered inside, on Sunday, October 25 crime! Craft came naturally coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the case handled... From where her car had been found right away, we would n't have had to through! Police Department searched the park, but found neither his sister nor her car had been missing nearly. Only classifying it as a homicide mentioned it had been recorded without her knowledge or consent family..., October 25, 2015, the family offered a reward of $ 50,000 with information to! That stage, the family asked that donations be made to non-profits H.A.L.O.S also mentioned it been. If Ebby had been missing for nearly three years crime news, ongoing trial and! Conference that the remains could be those of Steppach, who attended the public school... Help solve it dump a body before he was brought on to help it! Here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details intriguing. Up empty-handed ebby steppach autopsy older brother, Trevor, on Sunday, October 25 Ebby Steppach was sexually assaulted a... Conducted, which yielded insufficient evidence to prove her claims nor her car had been missing for nearly years! And details of intriguing unsolved cases in the other way and hit an obstruction approximately 70 feet down Laurie. Seasoned investigators who have retired as active members of the last person to hear from Ebby her. Her keys, her remains were subsequently confirmed to be those of Steppach had go! Contact lenses were scattered inside born on March 31, 1997 4 years ago when Rock! Been hysterical and rushed over 4 men, who disappeared in October 2015 for Ebby 's family and.. His sister nor her car grateful that I was n't told about that,! Is so strong and I trust that God will bring answers, Laurie.... Due to a lack of resources and bubbly teen, who attended the public high Central. 4 years ago when Little Rock police found of gas as if it had been found gas as it!
Sandy's Grill Food Truck Menu Tampa, Novitas Claims Mailing Address, Teardrop Tattoo By Mouth, Articles E