"There is supposedly a serial killer in the Memphis area," said TikToker @jaymontee1. The victims (Chris Byers, Michael Moore and Stevie Branch) Robin Hood Hills crime scene (note red flags) Footprint (one of two found) at crime scene. Importantly, we found that West Memphis has one of the highest rates of motor vehicle theft in the nation according to our analysis of FBI crime data. However, Midtown is one of the few places at the heart of Memphis that is significantly safer than surrounding neighborhoods. Over the past year, attorneys have been pushing for an opportunity to retest crucial evidence that could bring new light as to what happened nearly 30 years ago. To date, no DNA evidence from the crime scene can be linked to Damien Echols, Baldwin, or Jessie Misskelley. Topping the list of petty crimes is pickpocketing, which often happens in crowded areas on Memphis streets. The 2019 crime rate in West Memphis, AR is 824 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 3.0 times greater than the U.S. average. Among them was a disoriented, muddy, and bleeding African-American man who stumbled into a West Memphis Bojangles restaurant men's room less than a mile from the crime scene. "I knew from when I was real small that people were going to know who I was," Echols said in 1994. If we link to any product, you should assume that we'll receive a commission when you buy it, at no extra cost to you. The next to be found was Stevie Branch, quickly followed by Christopher Byers. Initially, Misskelley repeatedly denied having knowledge of the crime, aside from rumors that Damien Echols was involved. Mena. Memphis may not be the safest vacationing spot in the world, but there are things you can do to avoid compromising yourself. West Memphis police urge anyone who may have seen events related to this incident to contact their criminal . Property crimes that are tracked for this analysis are burglary, larceny over fifty dollars, motor vehicle theft, and arson. To the community in West Memphis and all over the world, weve got to come together and really try to fight this thing because, as I see it, its not getting better. Overall, only the boys head injuries appeared to have been inflicted before they died, and their most likely cause of death was drowning, said Dr. Hsu. Currently, there are no travel advisoriesthat the government has put out on Memphis. This towns Commercial Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places and has buildings as old as 1870. In 2013, Jackson and Damien Echols produced a fourth documentary about the case. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 270.6. Investigators kept minimal notes and omitted pertinent details including criminal records. Thefts and break-ins are a daily occurrence in Orange Mound. This was one of the most high profile savage murder. During the trials of Jason Baldwin and Damien Echols, Griffis drew tenuous links between circumstantial evidence, such as the killings taking place near the date of the pagan festival of Beltane. After hours of questioning, a frustrated Morgan blurted out that he had been hospitalized for drug and alcohol abuse and might have committed the murders. With the likes of Elvis Presley, BB King, Don Williams, and countless more, this is where you want to be if youre looking to have a fun vacation. Is Memphis Safe to Visit in 2023? | Safety Concerns, The 17 Best Places to Visit in the United States in 2023. The pair abruptly fled to Oceanside, Calif., four days after the murders. West Memphis is in the 6th percentile for safety, meaning 94% of cities are safer and 6% of cities are more dangerous. That didn't make sense to me. Property Crime Rate. The amount of violent crime in West Memphis has increased by 36%, the amount of property crime in West Memphis has decreased by 21%, and the total amount of crime in West Memphis has decreased by 4% year over year. City-data.com does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of any information on this site. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a123774fe70a814 This analysis applies to West Memphis's proper boundaries only. The Victims: Chris Byers, Michael Moore, and Steven Branch. The mayor also shared additional information about the West Memphis Crime Rates: Year Violent Crime Property Crime2018 298 7552019 229 7772020 237 6442021 321 6362022 263 532, Violent Crime 2018 2019 Down 23.00%, Violent Crime 2018 2020 Down 20.00%, Violent Crime 2018 2022 Down 12.00%, Violent Crime 2021 2022 Down 18.00%, Property Crime 2018 2019 UP 3.00%, Property Crime 2018 2020 Down 15.00%, Property Crime 2018 2021 Down 16.00%, Property Crime 2018 2022 Down 30. Continue with Recommended Cookies, : This data reflects the 2020 calendar year and was released from the. On the contrary, theres actually a lot of good about these cities and towns across the Natural State, and most Arkansans have been through these areas with no trouble whatsoever. Luckily, most areas where violent criminal cases are high are far from where tourists are likely to visit. A new batch of DNA testing in 2007, however, showed that no genetic material from the crime scene evidence was a match to Echols, Baldwin or Misskelley, and they were released from prison four years later after agreeing to an Alford plea, reported the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. At the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, you will find a palate-dazzling smorgasbord of cuisines and cocktails in which to indulge. One of the centerpieces of the "West Memphis Three" case says an Arkansas prosecutor is refusing to cooperate with DNA testing that could potentially help solve three murders for good. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. The side of Branchs face was ripped apart, and Byers' genitals were so badly mutilated he was essentially castrated, according to the documentary special The Forgotten West Memphis Three, streaming now on Oxygen. Other US patent applications are currently pending. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! However, theres always a disclaimer for tourists to remain extra vigilant while exploring Memphis rich culture and history. To remain safe, stay alert and watch your belongings while paying attention to whos around you. The second postulated that they had been slain by one or more strangers. Wading into the murky water, Allen unknowingly dislodged the pale, grotesquely arched form of Micheal Moore. With a population of over 26,000 residents. Tourists are as much a risk as the locals because criminals will target vulnerable people. Classmates at Weaver Elementary School, the three were active in their Cub Scout troop and responsible enough to be trusted to roam their neighborhood without supervision. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. This is possible by associating the 9.4 million reported crimes in the U.S, including over 2 million geocoded point locations. A Memphis Police spokesperson released this statement saying in part:"At this point, no ongoing homicide investigation has been determined to be connected. Your IP: Even Byers stepfather, John Byers, became convinced of the mens innocence after its publication, reported, To learn more, watch The Forgotten West Memphis Three on. Midtown has a population of over 62,700 and a violent crime rate of2,967 per 100,000 people. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Mission: The purpose of the West Memphis Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in the City of West Memphis by preventing crime and maintaining public safety through a commitment to excellence in law enforcement for our citizens, and visitors so they will be safe, tourism will flourish, and all will take pride in this great City of West Memphis, AR. Reflects 2021 calendar year; released from FBI in Oct. 2022 (latest available). The majority of, The chance of a tourist or resident becoming a victim of a crime in Little Rock is one in ten. West Memphis is in the heart of the Bible Belt: just a two-hour drive from where, legend has it, the devil tuned Robert Johnson's guitar, in a state that's 46 percent evangelical Protestant.. Property In the years since the trial, John Mark Byers, adoptive father of Christopher Byers, and Pamela Hobbs, mother of Stevie Branch, became vocal supporters of the West Memphis Three. Despite the FBI statistics, there are still a lot of great things about these towns. Raw data sources: The crime and investigation. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Officer Geoffrey Redd, 49, died on Feb. 18, two weeks after the shooting at the Poplar-White Station Library. In 1994, Dr. Dale W. Griffis was a retired police officer who had embarked on a second career as a self-styled consultant on occult and cult-related crime. Those with any information on any ongoing investigations in the Westwood area are asked to call Crime Stoppers, (901) 528-CASH. You're not guaranteed tomorrow, and, often times, you can buy an international plane ticket for less than a domestic one. Use at your own risk. Although she was unable to recall the exact location or anyone who attended the alleged meeting, she claimed a drunken Echols confessed to the murders. The West Memphis Three who are known as Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley, were convicted in 1993 for the murders of three young boys. "The reason I made the West Memphis boogeyman comment during the first film was because I was making light of the situation," Echols says in Paradise Lost 2: Revelations. To bolster their assertions that the killings were related to occult activity despite virtually no evidence prosecutors brought in their own so-called expert on cult murders. 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