By that time, I just knew in my soul that something was really wrong, Ebbys mother, Laurie Jeringan, told Dateline. 0:00 / 40:28 Unsolved Homicide: Who Put Ebby Steppach in the Drainpipe? Several searches were conducted in the park by both police and volunteers. So we had to wait. [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. The daughter of two hair stylists, she was already immersed in that world and the craft came naturally. Her remains were missed in all the searches. While the medical examiner found a preliminary cause of death, it hasnt been publicly released. The final time she was with more unknown men. Its unclear what compelled investigators to search the pipe specifically on Tuesday. [4], Steppach last had contact with her older brother, Trevor, around 2p.m. on October 25, 2015, in a phone call. Steppachs family released a statement on Wednesday after her remains were positively identified. Her parents did not approve of her newest boyfriend, who attended the public high school Central High. Towards the beginning of the school year, she left her family's home to gain her parents' freedom. It was an open secret who did it. It is a shame, because the culprits seem pretty obvious. This case hasnt been discussed on this sub in about a year, but its one I think about often, so I wanted to bring it back up again. 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. 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. This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors. After she told him "I'm fucked up," the phone call ended. However, where she was on the road has never been publicly released, nor if there was anyone else in the car with her. Although Ebby had moved out, she kept in touch with her parents and even reached out to her stepfather Michael with an alarming situation. 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. Ebby spent that Saturday holed up in bed at her grandparents home, sleeping and watching Spongebob Squarepants. 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. When it came to her education, Ebby spent most of her life attending charter schools, before transferring to Central High School in Little Rock during her senior year, after which she planned to attend cosmetology school and obtain her real estate license. Learn how your comment data is processed. I agree. LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas The death of Ebby Steppach-- it's a case that has baffled the public and police for several years. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 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. 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. (May 19, 2022) | Dr. Phil S20 E153 Dr Phil Full Episodes 133K subscribers Subscribe 1K Share 99K views 7 months ago. Ebby met some reportedly disreputable people through her summer job at the Foot Locker in McCain Mall. "It was something I just couldn't shake. When Ebbys remains were found, Laurie was devastated. According to private investigator Monty Vickers, Ebby also sent texts to her alleged rapists, threatening to go to the police with her claims. So I kept thinking she might have been washed into the pipe, which would have made it more difficult to find her.. It was polar opposite than the Ebby we knew. A few days after she was last heard from, a security guard discovered her 2003 Volkswagen Passat running and abandoned in Chalamont Park, at 20600 Chalamont Drive. The battery was dead, gas tank empty, and keys were left in the ignition. A preliminary cause of death has been determined but not publicly released. They sent out cadaver dogs to search Chalamont Park, but the dogs were unable to pick up on Ebbys scent. Steppach had recently attended a private school, but the following year she attended a government-funded school. But her stepdad and I were really strict. And we could have found her killer by now.. Today marks the third anniversary of the last time she was seen alive. 100GB with M1 Maxxs $15 U.P. I was like, Ebby thats not safe, dont do that. A podcast did a great story on this and I cant remember which one. He explained that things like interviewing key witnesses, checking surveillance footage at a nearby Walmart and a social media . 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. He would have had dash camera footage, but the police waited too long to subpoena the evidence, and it was long since erased. 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. The search to find her lasted until May 2018, when her remains were found in a drainpipe in Chalamont Park. 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. 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. On October 30, 2015, the Little Rock Police Department searched an abandoned car in a small r Steppach's remains were found not far from where her 2003 Volkswagen . It seems as though most unsolved cases begin with a very poor investigation. 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. 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. [4] On Friday, October 23, she attended a party at some point during the evening. I wanted to check the park again.". 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. But Ebby's specialty was. I think she kind of thought of our house as kind of a safe place, Danielle said in an interview. Cheyann Klus went missing on December 2nd, 2017. However, that never happened. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Days later, Ebby's Volkswagen Passat was found parked in Chalamont Park. He recalled her sounding confused, disoriented and panicked, their mother Laurie told Dateline. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. When Ebbys remains were found, Laurie was devastated. The nightmare only continued for Ebbys family as they noticed mistakes they said police had made from the beginning and believed her case was not being taken seriously. When her family tried to report her missing, they were told they needed to wait 12 hours for her to be considered missing. While initially believed to possibly be related to the case, it was later determined the leg bone belonged to an animal. After the fundraiser, a birthday party was held for Ebby. She saved her money and worked hard to buy really nice makeup, Laurie said. She never responded to her grandmothers calls, either. I am more likely to think the delays and mishandling of evidence can be chalked up to incompetence and indifference, although anything is possible. Upcoming on In Pursuit. In May 2018, the Cold Case Unit teamed up with the FBI and the Public Works Department to search a drainage pipe in Chalamont Park using robots with video cameras. Throughout the evening, cell phone records showed Ebby sent text messages to men she had implicated in her rape, threatening to go to the police if they didnt delete the video. Together, they will continue to work on any new developments in this case.. 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. [4] This was the last known contact anyone had with her. The . Her car was found abandoned in a city park. On Friday, Ebby went to a party while Danielle stayed home because she didnt know anyone who would be there. Ebbys case is now in the hands of Tommy Hudson, a retired Little Rock detective who works on only a handful of older cases. They're together. IE 11 is not supported. Something happened to her.. Now-retired Little Rock Police homicide detective Tommy Hudson stepped in and took over Ebbys case in 2017. Ebbys friend Danielle, whom she had been staying with, was never contacted by police either. 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. It was at this party that Ebby claimed to have been raped by 4 men, who also recorded the act. On October 27, her abandoned car was discovered in Chalamont Park in west Little Rock. Instead, Ebby got to spend that last day with her grandparents. 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She wanted Michael to go to the police with her to report the incident. 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. Surveillance footage was also located about a week after Ebby went missing, which showed her car travelling along Cantrell Road in west Little Rock. She worked two part-time jobs as a teenager, saving every dollar so she could buy nice, expensive makeup. As they felt the police werent taking Ebbys disappearance seriously, her family approached the media to help widen word of their missing loved one. Why this wasnt done, I dont know, Hudson said. Replies analysing and speculating over the mystery and possible explanations are encouraged. When she found out that the remains were found so close to her car, and could have possibly been found much sooner, she was angry. "Maybe if we ignore it, it will go away." I wish my job worked that way. All Rights Reserved. We were told that we couldn't file a police report for 12 hours, Laurie said. When Vickers reached out to the security guard at Chalamont Park, he claimed it was the first time hed been contacted about the case. It was the last time anyone ever heard from Ebby. 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. For Ebby's family and friends, they just want answers. I think the most frustrating part, as most would agree, is that the most obvious place where her remains would be, were never searched. As of today, the case is still open and unsolved. By Katherine Stinson. October 25, 2015. But that information will not be released, to avoid jeopardizing the case. Searches were conducted of the park and the woods near where the car was discovered, but no evidence was found. Laurie says that's because no one has figured out what - or who - caused Ebby's death. In 2018, authorities returned to the park where her abandoned car had been . The LRPD claim to have no record of these calls. In early fall, Laurie and Michael began receiving calls from the high school reporting Ebbys truancy. I have peace knowing neither Ebby or Trevor are alone. See what happens when she takes a closer look at the drainpipe where Ebby was found what does she say it proves? 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. I tried to keep this write-up from getting too long, so didnt include every single detail I read. The park has been searched multiple times since Steppachs disappearance, police spokesman Officer Steve Moore said. Instead, Ebby got to spend that last day with her grandparents. Ebby is found. Everything else? It was determined she had been there since her car was found three years prior. [4] When he called her back, she answered, this time telling him she was in her car but was unsure where she was parked. I have peace because Ebby isnt alone. Ebby Steppach. "I'm grateful that I wasn't told about that text, about what happened," Laurie said. She later texted the men implicated, threatening to report them to the authorities. The next day, Ebby told her step father Michael about the rape, and they agreed to meet at the police station later to report it. 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. I apologize in advance for any formatting errors. I would give anything to hear her laugh again. Ebbys family tried to file a missing person report, but was told by police they had to wait at least 12 hours. I think it was too much on his heart, his mother Laurie told Dateline. Petito 's tragic story has captured the nation and the internet after she was found dead in the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area in. Sadly, this time Ebbys remains were finally found. 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. 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. Around this time, Ebbys face and information were featured on billboards and banners across central Arkansas. In May 2017, the case was reassigned to homicide detectives within the Little Rock Police Department. The blockage was pulled up by the bulldozer and turned around and there she was, right in front of me, Hudson said. However, he didnt report it to police until three days later. Ebby Steppach's case was discussed in Dr. Phil's show, 'Unsolved Homicide: Who Put Ebby Steppach in the Drainpipe?' Her body was discovered in a drainpipe in Little Rock, Arkansas. She worked two part-time jobs as a teenager, saving every dollar so she could buy nice, expensive makeup. Upon the pipe being excavated, human remains were found. I hope the family gets justice eventually. [14], In 2021, her case was the subject of season 1 of the podcast "Subterfuge in Chalamont Park". He never gave up on her, on finding out what happened, she said. Unsure How to Help Your Child Struggling with Obesity? 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. There was no doubt it was her.. To help spread word of the case, Laurie appeared on Dr. Phil. It has taken a toll on our entire family.. Ebby Steppach was 18 years old when she disappeared from her hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas, just days after a party where she alleged that four men sexually assaulted her and recorded their actions on a cellphone. May 22, 2019 1 year since Ebbys remains were recovered. But no matter what happens, I have peace. Nothing was found. 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. "It was a gut feeling with all of us," he said. Examining the world of solved and unsolved cases. TELL DR. PHIL YOUR STORY: Have a story in the news? But Ebbys specialty was makeup. Well, with God, Ill make it through.. Tragic all the way around. She was really rebelling and fighting, fighting back and storming out, Laurie said. However, her parents never addressed this with her, wanting to give her more independence. 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. I understand her strong will, I understand all of that. What worried her mother most of all was the condition of Ebbys makeup. Ebby Jane Steppach had dreams of becoming a cosmetologist. Yikes just looked into this one. Site Layout Map. Ebbys remains were found on May 22, 2018, a mere 60 feet from where her car had been found two years earlier. 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. 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. And they were stopped in their tracks. Ebby got sober through the Oxford Group, and carried the message of salvation through religious conversion to his old friend, Bill. So he delved deep into the case, determined to solve it. My faith is so strong and I trust that God will bring answers, Laurie said. 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. She remained silent for nearly 24 hours. Hudson told Dateline that a new investigator has been assigned to Ebbys case and that he has complete faith in his investigative abilities. Lucy Letby- Killer Nurse? Ebby Steppach, known to her classmates and family members as Ebby Jane, was an independent, hardworking, and protective friend. He had footage of it on his dashboard camera, but had since lost the recordings. They're together. They were only 60 feet away from where her car had been abandoned. Our cold case unit is comprised of seasoned investigators who have retired as active members of the Little Rock Police Department. For Ebbys older brother, Trevor, the toll his sisters disappearance and death took on his heart may have been too much. Her step dad Michael says thinks she may have gone out to confront her rapists. She had been dead since the time her car was found three years prior. (KTHV) - Oct. 24 is a heartbreaking anniversary for the family of Ebby Steppach. Vanished: Heidi Broussard (33) and Margot Carey (2wks). 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. Parents: Is Your Child Addicted to Screen Time? In 2015, she was 18 years old, 110 pounds, with blonde hair, and only a little over 5 feet tall. He told Dateline that mistakes were made early on in the case before he was brought on to help solve it. An internal investigation was conducted, which yielded insufficient evidence to prove her claims. The Vanished did a great story on this. Ebby Jane Steppach (March 31, 1997 - October 25, 2015) [2] was an American woman who disappeared under mysterious circumstances in Little Rock, Arkansas. And she started to push back rebel.. Hell And Gone is a podcast from iHeartRadio and School of Humans that follows journalist and private investigator Catherine Townsend as she investigates unsolved deaths. I apologize in advance for any formatting errors. 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. Ebby Steppach / Date of death. Relieved, Trevor went to his front door, but found neither his sister nor her car were outside. 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. Per a 2017 report, the men Steppach had accused of sexual assault had all spoken to police, though no formal searches of their cell phones were done for the alleged video of Steppachs rape. So Ebbys mom and stepfather, Michael, told her she needed to behave in a respectful manner or she needed to move out. By Harriet Sokmensuer. And definitely her contacts. I wanted to check the park again.". I just knew it, everything in my soul, I knew something had happened to her, Laurie said. [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. I believe that it is just the result of poor investigating. [10] These remains were subsequently confirmed to be those of Steppach. She said she was outside his house, but when he went outside, she wasnt there. From the very beginning of the missing person investigation, Laurie and Michael Jernigan claim that the LRPD conducted incredibly shoddy work. Laurie said she was with her husband out to dinner at the time, but had no idea about the text. That was the last time anyone in Ebbys family saw her. For anyone still looking, she is the subject of True Crime Garage's latest episode. She had been dead since the time her car was found three years prior. The event was held by H.A.L.O.S. 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. Searches of the woods around the park were undertaken, but no sign of Ebby was found. I'm so sorry you had to go through that and then have to deal with more bs on top of it. If you have any information about the disappearance and murder of Ebby Steppach, please call the Little Rock Police Department at (501) 404-3128. It was hard for all of us.. Cadaver dogs are much less likely to find remains if they're not fresh. When asked why she had waited to file the complaint, Laurie explained she feared retaliation and thus waited until it had been transferred to detectives in another department. Officers with the Little Rock Police Department searched the park, but came up empty-handed. 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. She knew her daughter was in danger. Ebby Steppach, 18, of Little Rock, Arkansas mysteriously vanished on October 24, 2015. The daughter of two hair stylists, she was already immersed in that world and the craft came naturally. Ebby Steppach death has been reported as a homicide. There was a drainage pipe not far from the car, and it had rained in the days after she went missing, he said. 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. I think a young woman was seen speaking with a young man by the park security. 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. But her stepdad and I were really strict. However, it does seem highly coincidental that she disappeared/was murdered right after being sexually assaulted and had threatened to report it. For Ebbys older brother, Trevor, the toll his sisters disappearance and death took on his heart may have been too much. Published on May 23, 2018 08:25 PM. Tommy Hudson is the detective who was responsible for finding Ebby's body. My daughter, she doesnt have any siblings anymore. In this season of Hell And Gone. But no one knew where she was. Oddly enough I was working for her uncle while she was still missing. She later learned that Michael had agreed to help Ebby, so he took Laurie home and attempted to reach Ebby to make a plan. Ebby Steppach (Ebby Jane Steppach) was born on 31 March, 1997 in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. 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. What really happened to Ebby Steppach? And the burden of being the last person to talk to Ebby.. Even though her grandparents were the last family to see her, they werent interviewed for a year and a half after she disappeared. Her car was found abandoned in a West Little Rock park days later, but her body wasn't discovered until May of 2018 . Unsolved Homicide: Who Put Ebby Steppach in the Drain: With Phil McGraw. [3] Days before her disappearance, she had accused four men of gang-raping her at a party she had attended. Ebbys cell phone records show that she made two calls to the Little Rock Police Department that night, each about a minute long. 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. So Ebbys mom and stepfather, Michael, told her she needed to behave in a respectful manner or she needed to move out. 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. Ebby stayed with Danielle and her family for the remainder of the week. 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. Together, they will continue to work on any new developments in this case.. The first time he saw her, she was with two men and had asked the trio to leave, which they did without argument. This was followed by a police search of Chalamont Park in November 2016. 18-year-old Ebby vanished in October 2015, but her remains weren't found until May 2018. The keys were in the ignition and the car was out of gas as if it had been left running. Her remains were found in a drainage pipe. It was around that time that Laurie said the 18-year-old high school student started to change. [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. Ebbys disappearance was also featured on Nancy Grace. This is a very sad case. And she never showed up at the police station. She loved her family, her friends, and served those closest to her with a carefree compassion and unflinching grace. Ebby Jane Steppach had dreams of becoming a cosmetologist. 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. In addition, Ebby moved out of her parents house and into her older brother, Trevors home. Wow this is appalling. Want Dr. Phil to Investigate a Situation or Possible Scam? You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings.

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