He told Dateline that mistakes were made early on in the case before he was brought on to help solve it. Ebby Jane Steppach was born March 31, 1997 at 6:30 a.m. She died October 25, 2015, the day her car was abandoned at Chalamont Park in West Little Rock. They thought may have been a lot of rumors swirling about why this case has been. Our cold case unit is comprised of seasoned investigators who have retired as active members of the Little Rock Police Department. 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. She was a true artist. [12] Margie Foley, a family friend and mother of one of Steppach's best friends, claimed that she had smelled decomposition while doing a private search of the area, and alerted the authorities. Together, they will continue to work on any new developments in this case.. If you have any information regarding the murder of Ebby Steppach, please contact the Little Rock Police department, 501-404-3128 Investigator Tommy Hudson (email: thudson@littlerock.gov) 501-371-4829 Little Rock PD Non-emergency number 501-371-4636 Little Rock PD Public Information Officer, Sources:Ebby Steppach case still open, preliminary cause of death determined but wont be releasedOne year later | The search for justice for Ebby continuesDays after Ebby Steppach disappeared, police shrugged off pipe odor, caller says. It was amazing to see her family working so hard to find her, as well as Ebby's mother strength, courage and faith to go trough this nightmare. The next evening around 5:30 p.m., Ebby called her brother, Trevor, and told him that she was in her car, but didnt know where she was. I am so thankful to know she is in the arms of Jesus. Ebby Steppach, 18, was last seen alive on October 24, 2015. Those with information regarding the case are being asked to call the Little Rock Police Department at 501-371-4829. And the minute we could do so, on October 26 in the middle of the night, we filed a report.. I love you, and I'm so sorry for your enormous burden of grief. On the day the news broke it seemed to spread like wildfire through the NLR Northeast / Lakewood community. 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 autopsy Actualidad. In the News - Published on May 19, 2022 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. So he delved deep into the case, determined to solve it. The final time she was with more unknown men. She was survived by her parents, Laurie and Michael Jernigan; her father, Peter Steppach; her sister, Harris Elizabeth; brother, Trevor; stepbrother, Ethan; her grandparents . Ebby and her mother, Laurie, had a very close mother ~ daughter relationship, "I knew when she took a breath, her first breath, that we would be close and that she would be a very special young lady. Ebby Thatcher, San Jose CA, 3-4-61. And, may God walk with you in this next phase of your lives.Respectfully,Patti Cingolani Benight , Blake Bowers, and Jon Tyler BenightNorth Little Rock, Arkansas, So sorry for the loss of Ebby. Ebby was my own daughter's age and quite likely attended Central together. Why it wasn't done at the time," Hudson said in 2018, "I can't answer that. Ebby's remains were found on . [11] Extensive searches for Steppach at Chalamont Park had been held in the past. I am crying for you and your husband. coastal farm and ranch loss prevention coastal farm and ranch loss prevention I hope her family find the peace they need so very much. We will never forget you. Steppach had recently attended a private school, but the following year she attended a government-funded school. ebby steppach autopsy. Ebby Jane Steppach was born March 31, 1997 at 6:30 a.m. She died October 25, 2015, the day her car was abandoned at Chalamont Park in West Little Rock. This would later be increased to $50,000. Ebby Steppach case still open, preliminary cause of death determined but won't be released Today marks the third anniversary of the last time she was seen alive. [4] The security guard notified police and waited approximately 2 hours for an officer to arrive however none did. If Ebby had been found right away, we wouldn't have had to go through this nightmare, she said. [4], Steppach last had contact with her older brother, Trevor, around 2p.m. on October 25, 2015, in a phone call. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. 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. "We always look at that. [4] When he called her back, she answered, this time telling him she was in her car but was unsure where she was parked. If you have information regarding this unsolved homicide, call the Ebby Steppach tip line at 678-632-6165. Marking Ebbys birthday, every dollar raised from those in attendance went to the organization, which provides services for survivors of assault and human trafficking. 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. Take comfort in knowing that your little girl touched lives not only in Arjansas, but nationwide. But her stepdad and I were really strict. Turned around and there she was, right in front of me, Hudson said call with her grandparents wasnt. Assigned ebby steppach autopsy Ebbys case and that he has complete faith in his investigative. Calls, either bigger, more thorough file than the Police never heard Ebby! 18-year-old Ebby vanished in October 2015, but her remains weren't found until May 2018. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. Her death was classified as a homicide, and to this day, no one has been charged with her murder. Ebby Steppach death: New theories revealed on Dr. Phil Show 2,786 views May 19, 2022 A Dr. Phil episode aired on Thursday focusing on the disappearance and death of Little Rock's Ebby. If I remember correctly, the original officer on the case was texting Ebby's mom on her private cell, and it was somewhat abusive and inappropriate. I also know that God knew this day was coming and although we may never understand the why or the how.I know that keeping our eyes in Jesus and having faith that he loves each one of us and he is the only one that can bring us through difficult times and will wrap us in his love and comfort our hearts. 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. The former things have passed away., Laurie & family,I am so very sorry for your loss. October 25, 2015. Thats when Trevor told me something was terribly wrong, Laurie said. But came up empty-handed concerned, the family 's private investigator Monty Vickers to see he And contact lenses were scattered inside best crowd approve of her car, Little Rock & x27 To confront her rapists have peace knowing neither Ebby or Trevor are alone LRPD. She saved her money and worked hard to buy really nice makeup, Laurie said. After speaking with his sister, Trevor immediately called the police, worried. Days before her disappearance, Ebby accused 4 men of raping her at a party and filming it. She seemed to be a beautiful soul with a kind and loving heart. IE 11 is not supported. Sample Page; ; I pray for her family for today and the weeks ahead. The death of Ebby Steppach, a Little Rock teen who disappeared in 2015, is being investigated as a homicide pending autopsy results, a police spokesman said Thursday. Finally, her case was transferred to the homicide unit who were appalled with way the case was handled. "It was a gut feeling with all of us," he said. She rebelled against her parents and started living with her friend Daniel Westbrook. 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. [3] Days before her disappearance, she had accused four men of gang-raping her at a party she had attended. 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. Santa Monica Airport Crash Video, Laurie, I love you and so sorry for your loss. What I am feeling right now is hard to put into words. The equipment hit obstructions on both ends of the drainage pipe and Hudson was given the go-ahead to dig up the section of pipe. Ebby Jane Steppach had dreams of becoming a cosmetologist. So sad, so sorry for your loss, we are praying for all of you to receive comfort and strength during this time. 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. She was really rebelling and fighting, fighting back and storming out, Laurie said. The daughter of two hair stylists, she was already immersed in that world and the craft came naturally. I didnt know her but followed her case and always caught myself looking up at the billboards with her pretty face pictured. 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. I, too, have followed the long journey to find Ebby, praying for her and for her family. 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. During this time in her life, she also got a job at the Foot Locker in McCain Mall, a move her family says coincided with a change in behaviour. Of Steppach knows what happened to her family and friends, they claim they have no records of calls. "He ran into my house and said, 'something's wrong, something's wrong. (May 19,. In his investigative abilities when she started acting out had a bigger, more thorough file than the Police calling. [4] On October 21, 2015, Steppach missed school. 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. The last person to hear from Ebby was her brother, Trevor, on Sunday, October 25. She was survived by her parents, Laurie and Michael Jernigan; her father, Peter Steppach; her sister, Harris Elizabeth; brother, Trevor; stepbrother, Ethan; her grandparents . And the minute we could do so, on October 26 in the middle of the night, we filed a report.. On October 30, 2015, the Little Rock Police Department searched an abandoned car in a small r Steppachs family released a statement on Wednesday after her remains were positively identified. "She would still be dead if they found her in a week," Laurie said. Remembering that night I first heard Ebbys story on the news is still so vivid in my mind. [1], Ebby Jane Steppach was an 18 year-old high school student in Little Rock, Arkansas who was completing her senior year at Little Rock Central High School. Laurie said the days since Ebby died, have been filled with trying to find out what happened to her daughter in October of 2015. All Right Reserved, 13801 Chenal Parkway | Little Rock, AR72211 | 501-224-8300. Upon Ebbys remains being found, hundreds gathered for her memorial service at Christ Community Church on the campus of the Little Rock Christian Academy. At just 35 years old, he died of a massive heart attack. So Ebbys mom and stepfather, Michael, told her she needed to behave in a respectful manner or she needed to move out. An internal investigation was conducted, which yielded insufficient evidence to prove her claims. Days before her disappearance, she had accused four men of gang-raping her at a party she had attended. At around 2:00pm on October 25, Trevor managed to get a hold of his sister, who said she was parked outside his house. , Just watched Dr. Phil's episode about your daughter. 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. Ebby Jane Steppach (March 31, 1997 October 25, 2015)[2] was an American woman who disappeared under mysterious circumstances in Little Rock, Arkansas. Family: Ebby Steppach's Death is Being Investigated as a Homicide He explained that things like interviewing key witnesses, checking surveillance footage at a nearby Walmart and a social. Join the Roller Family. The finding has raised questions about the early steps in the case, with a former Little Rock cop who looked into Steppach's disapperance . If you have any information about the disappearance and murder of Ebby Steppach, please call the Little Rock Police Department at (501) 404-3128. 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. I never met Ebby but followed her story. Im very sorry your loss and I hope these tunes gets easier. On October 25, 2015, she placed an erratic phone call to her older brother, Trevor; this was the last known contact anyone had with her. Worried about Ebby, numerous family members tried to reach out to her, but received no response to their messages. Anyone with information about Ebby Steppachs case is asked to call the Little Rock Police Department Cold Case Unit at (501) 4043128. Has complete faith in his investigative abilities living in Little Rock Police believed Steppach away! My heart aches for your family. Concerned, the family conducted their own search for Ebby. This beautiful young woman's life was too short but your love for her and your perseverance to find her have created changes and awareness in the community that will ripple forward and affect many other lives. Ebby's disappearance has resulted in a higher awareness of missing children in Arkansas, the existence of human trafficking in our country and the need for more efficient police protocols to retrieve children sooner when they are reported missing. Ebby Steppach, 18, of Little Rock, Arkansas mysteriously vanished on October 24, 2015. Ebby Steppach's death ruled a homicide / officers dismissed decomposition smell as sewage There may be a paywall to this article but I think you can read a couple of stories for free. My most sincere condolences to you, Laurie, and to your family. 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. When the Little Rock Police Department began investigating the case as more than a runaway, it was handed to the Violent Crimes Division. 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. I love you and am praying each day for His mercies and Presence to bring you comfort. LRPD treated the case as a runaway situation for almost 8 months, and by the time federal investigators got involved in 2016, crucial evidence had been lost. As they felt the police werent taking Ebbys disappearance seriously, her family approached the media to help widen word of their missing loved one. I cant express how much my heart hearts for all of your family. Today marks the third anniversary of the last time she was seen alive. They're together. According to to a text sent to a friend, Ebby said four men had been involved and that she had felt forced into the encounter. "She was very funny, Laurie said. The Disappearance of Nguyet Thu Wiki Phung, Case Update: Brittanee Drexels Remains Discovered After 13 Years, SuspectCharged, The Disappearances of Tina & BethanySinclair. When i first heard about Ebbys missing case i knew as a mom I wanted to get involved cause my children are my world as well&even my kids wanted to help so we joined in efforts to get her story out&the day we went to the prayer vigil I could see the love&how Ebby brought so many peoole together even thou i didnt know her personaly meeting her Aunt&listening to a story of her being a beaming heart&her loving others i felt close to her&realised this young lady was so missed&my heart hurt for the Jernigan family as a mom but also that ebby made a profound footprint in everyones life she touched personally or thru this heartbreaking journey. Attended the public high school Central high and bubbly teen, who attended the public high school Central high 2015! Upon the pipe being excavated, human remains were found. My faith is so strong and I trust that God will bring answers, Laurie said. I love you guys and may God be with you through all of it. I pray for peace and comfort in the hearts of her family. It was around that time that Laurie said the 18-year-old high school student started to change. Days later, Ebby's Volkswagen Passat was found parked in Chalamont Park. By that time, I just knew in my soul that something was really wrong, Ebbys mother, Laurie Jeringan, told Dateline. I am sorry you and your precious ones are having to live this nightmare. Date of death: October 25, 2015, Died Place: Little Rock, Arkansas, United States: Nationality: American: [4] On October 21, 2015, Steppach missed school. Ebby Jane Steppach had dreams of becoming a cosmetologist. Her disappearance ended 4 years ago when Little Rock police found Ebby's remains in a. Please God let the killer be locked away for Ebby. 100GB with M1 Maxxs $15 U.P. Ebby will never be forgotten Through Halos. My heart will be there with you on Saturday. 18-year-old Ebby vanished in October 2015, but her remains weren't found until May 2018. 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