Ill be back to spend the night. 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. "It was a gut feeling with all of us," he said. Ebbys friend Danielle, whom she had been staying with, was never contacted by police either. But as time passed, they became more and more worried. Then, Eric, Ebbys on-again, off-again boyfriend, reveals vital information on Ebbys behaviors right up until her disappearance. On the same day, its been reported that two one-minute calls were made from Ebbys cellphone to the Little Rock Police Department. Ebby family were unaware of the odor until after the remains were IDd. 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. Ill be back, dont lock the door. Anyone with information about Ebby Steppachs case is asked to call the Little Rock Police Department Cold Case Unit at (501) 4043128. Vanished: Heidi Broussard (33) and Margot Carey (2wks). [4], Steppach last had contact with her older brother, Trevor, around 2p.m. on October 25, 2015, in a phone call. So he delved deep into the case, determined to solve it. The Search for Ebby & Allegations of Police Mishandling. It's why I searched here. He recalled her sounding confused, disoriented and panicked, their mother Laurie told Dateline. Her keys, her phone, her purse, makeup and contact lenses were scattered inside. Tommy Hudson with the Little Rock polices Cold Case Unit said the case is considered an open homicide investigation. When she was 18 years old, Ebby started acting contrary to how those around her expected. 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. Ebby Steppach (Ebby Jane Steppach) was born on 31 March, 1997 in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. It was up to us to clean up the mess and basically start from the beginning. 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. It was around that time that Laurie said the 18-year-old high school student started to change. 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. 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. She would not let you leave a room without making you laugh. If the police weren't interested, or perhaps not motivating the dogs well, they are also less likely to find anything. Working dogs also take non-verbal clues from their handlers. 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If Ebby had been found right away, we wouldn't have had to go through this nightmare, she said. 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. It has been through your support, many prayers and Gods strength that they have been able to make this journey., God hears and answers all prayers, it continued. She was lost and told him she was fucked up.. 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. To help spread word of the case, Laurie appeared on Dr. Phil. 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. Ebbys disappearance was also featured on Nancy Grace. At the time, Little Rock police believed Steppach ran away. Detective Bruce Maxwell has access to all of Hudsons work on the case and they are in constant contact. Ebby Jane Steppach was 18 years old when she disappeared in late October 2015. Laurie told Dateline investigators continued to call Ebby a runaway and assured Laurie shed be back soon. Lucy Letby- Killer Nurse? 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. But as time passed, they became more and more worried. 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. See what happens when she takes a closer look at the drainpipe where Ebby was found what does she say it proves? She saved her money and worked hard to buy really nice makeup, Laurie said. Her keys, her phone, her purse, makeup and contact lenses were scattered inside. We could have put her to rest. What really happened to Ebby Steppach? Laurie said she was with her husband out to dinner at the time, but had no idea about the text. Fort Valley State University student Missing Where is Anitra Gunn? And I just became hysterical.. I would give anything to hear her laugh again. But Ebbys specialty was makeup. This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors. [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. Laurie says that's because no one has figured out what - or who - caused Ebby's death. What Led Up To The Disappearance Of 18-Year-Old Ebby Steppach Watch on Ebby was featured on Dr. Phil with Corinna Slusser On October 27, Ebby's abandoned car was discovered in Chalamont Park in Little Rock. By that time, I just knew in my soul that something was really wrong, Ebbys mother, Laurie Jeringan, told Dateline. 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 saw the best in people and loved anyone who came into her life with a fierceness that was unmatched. On October 27, Ebbys abandoned car was discovered in Chalamont Park in Little Rock. And that's something that has given me solace.". I would give anything to hear her laugh again. "But if Tommy had been on the case back then and had found her in a week, they would've found who did it and we wouldnt have had to keep living this nightmare. He never gave up on her, on finding out what happened, she said. While neither were human remains, it piqued the interest of investigators and thus the pipe was excavated. The security guard explained that Ebby met a man there on multiple occasions. Lauries family also hired TJ Ward, an Atlanta based P.I. Her stepfather meticulously photographed the inside of the car and her belongings, just in case. However, they claim they have no records of these calls having been placed. At just 35 years old, he died of a massive heart attack. [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. "There was some evidence we were looking at that was found at the scene when she initially disappeared that bothered us," Hudson said. In 2015, she was 18 years old, 110 pounds, with blonde hair, and only a little over 5 feet tall. That still begs the question why no one thoroughly searched the area (with or without dogs) in November 2015 when Ebby's friend and her mom smelled decomposition in the park. I hope her family gets justice. Or Hospital Scapegoat? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. 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 initially hesitated to take the case, but once he saw the shotty investigation he knew he had to do something and began tracking Ebbys final movements. She said she was outside his house, but when he went outside, she wasnt there. Discover Ebby Steppach's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Remains found in an underground pipe in a Little Rock park have been confirmed as those of an 18-year-old woman who went missing in 2015. On May 22nd, 2018, Steppach's skeletal remains were discovered in a drainage pipe beside the parking lot. An internal investigation was conducted, which yielded insufficient evidence to prove her claims. And she never showed up at the police station. It seems as though most unsolved cases begin with a very poor investigation. 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 one is so bizarre. Upon the pipe being excavated, human remains were found. Timeline of the Ebby Steppach Case Steppach, a student at Central High in Little Rock was reported missing on Oct. 26, 2015. I am more likely to think the delays and mishandling of evidence can be chalked up to incompetence and indifference, although anything is possible. Steppach's remains were found not far from where her 2003 Volkswagen . And she started to push back rebel.. Ebbys mother said Little Rock Police refused to check which tower Ebbys phone pinged off when she made the final call to her brother. 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. Ebby Steppach was creative. The remains were confirmed by the Little Rock Police Department, according to a reporter for KARK 4 News on Wednesday. Cheyann Klus went missing on December 2nd, 2017. Unsolved Homicide: Who Put Ebby Steppach in the Drainpipe? "Because I know I would've been hysterical and rushed over. She never responded to her grandmothers calls, either. Ebby Thatcher, San Jose CA, 3-4-61. Unsolved Homicide: Who Put Ebby Steppach in the Drain: With Phil McGraw. "She was very funny, Laurie said. Replies analysing and speculating over the mystery and possible explanations are encouraged. 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. She crashed with friends frequently as well. Targeted Because 0f Your Race or Religion? Something was there. In this season of Hell And Gone. Russell King passes a memorial for Ebby Steppach as he works Tuesday at Chalamont Park in west Little Rock. He never gave up on her, on finding out what happened, she said. Ebbys family contacted everyone they knew and anyone they thought may have been in contact with Ebby. He would have had dash camera footage, but the police waited too long to subpoena the evidence, and it was long since erased. The daughter of two hair stylists, she was already immersed in that world and the craft came naturally. This also highlighted how poorly local authorities were managing the case. We were told that we couldn't file a police report for 12 hours, Laurie said. "There was some evidence we were looking at that was found at the scene when she initially disappeared that bothered us," Hudson said. Who killed Ebby, and why did it take so long to find her body? "It was something I just couldn't shake. The remains had been about 60 feet from where the car was discovered. But Ebby's specialty was. On Friday, Ebby went to a party while Danielle stayed home because she didnt know anyone who would be there. And it was broken all over the car. 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 . The blockage was pulled up by the bulldozer and turned around and there she was, right in front of me, Hudson said. If Ebby had been found right away, we wouldn't have had to go through this nightmare, she said. The car belonged to 18-year-old Ebby Steppach, and Ebby had vanished without a trace. who worked the case of Natalee Holloway. 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. That was the last time anyone heard from her. I think it was too much on his heart, his mother Laurie told Dateline. -. 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