Something was there. I think it was too much on his heart, his mother Laurie told Dateline. To help keep the case in the public eye, Ebbys family created a Facebook group to help spread awareness via social media. They then went in the other way and hit another obstruction about 130 feet in. It wasnt until October 30 that officers went to the park and identified the car as Ebbys. gossipgossipblah 4 yr. ago This is just outrageous to me. A family friend named Margie Foley had reported to the police that she smelled decomposition while they . Days after Steppachs disappearance, her Volkswagen vehicle was found in Chalamont Park, the station reports. 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. They sent out cadaver dogs to search Chalamont Park, but the dogs were unable to pick up on Ebbys scent. 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. 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. Upon the pipe being excavated, human remains were found. For anyone still looking, she is the subject of True Crime Garage's latest episode. When Ebbys remains were found, Laurie was devastated. Laurie said the days since Ebby died, have been filled with trying to find out what happened to her daughter in October of 2015. They have the names of the guys she claimed assaulted her, but no formal investigation of them has been done as far as I know. It is situated at Chalamont Park in Little Rock, Arkansas. Ebby Jane Steppach was an 18-year-old senior at Little Rock Central High School, Arkansas. 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. Those who she loved most of all were her grandparents. That was when they discovered Ebby's remains just 60 feet from where her car had been found. Instead, Ebby got to spend that last day with her grandparents. [4] This was the last known contact anyone had with her. When he died, I thought, now he knows what happened to her. Ebby is found. [13] Upon the arrival of police at the scene, Foley claimed she was "kind of dismissed by [the officers]", who told her the park had been searched with recovery canines who would have picked up on the scent of human decomposition, and assured her it "must be an animal or something". 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. "There was some evidence we were looking at that was found at the scene when she initially disappeared that bothered us," Hudson said. Anyone with information about Ebby Steppachs case is asked to call the Little Rock Police Department Cold Case Unit at (501) 4043128. On Tuesday, police announced during a press conference that the remains could be those of Steppach, who disappeared in October 2015. Laurie says that's because no one has figured out what - or who - caused Ebby's death. After hanging up from her phone call with her brother, Ebby was never heard from again. But no one knew where she was. She worked two part-time jobs as a teenager, saving every dollar so she could buy nice, expensive makeup. 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. The remains were found near a memorial for Steppach, police said. [4] On October 21, 2015, Steppach missed school. And they were stopped in their tracks. 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. He also said the medical examiner has determined a preliminary cause of death. These remains were subsequently confirmed to be those of Steppach. 18-year-old Ebby vanished in October 2015, but her remains weren't found until May 2018. Several searches were conducted in the park by both police and volunteers. 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. And it was broken all over the car. I hope her family gets justice. This also highlighted how poorly local authorities were managing the case. In this update, Laurie is joining us again to discuss how Ebby was found and where her case stands today. Family: Ebby Steppach's Death is Being Investigated as a Homicide. I hope the family gets justice eventually. 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. Tragic all the way around. Peggy and Michael called Ebby several times during the night without response. 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. So we had to wait. On Friday, Ebby went to a party while Danielle stayed home because she didnt know anyone who would be there. Searches of the woods around the park were undertaken, but no sign of Ebby was found. When Ebbys remains were found, Laurie was devastated. Why this wasnt done, I dont know, Hudson said. By that time, I just knew in my soul that something was really wrong, Ebbys mother, Laurie Jeringan, told Dateline. [4] Wanting independence from her parents, Steppach decided to move out of her family's home at the beginning of the school year,[5] but was mainly staying with her grandparents and friends. Her parents did not approve of her newest boyfriend, who attended the public high school Central High. We could have put her to rest. Little Rock Police Capt. This is the location where Ebby Steppach's body was found. She knew her daughter was in danger. She never responded to her grandmothers calls, either. She worked two part-time jobs as a teenager, saving every dollar so she could buy nice, expensive makeup. Her keys, her phone, her purse, makeup and contact lenses were scattered inside. In April 2016, volunteers searched for Ebby, beginning in the area near where her car was found and moving toward a wooded area near Markham and Bowman. One of her favourite places to visit was the beach and while there she would spend hours looking for seashells, which she would often gift to them. Passionate for expression and individualism. 26 related questions found. Ebby Jane Steppach had dreams of becoming a cosmetologist. [9], Around 10a.m.[9] on May 24, 2018, while performing another search of Chalamont Park, police discovered skeletal remains in a drainage pipe in the vicinity where Steppach's car had been discovered. Tommy Hudson with the Little Rock polices Cold Case Unit said the case is considered an open homicide investigation. The keys were in the ignition and the car was out of gas as if it had been left running. And the burden of being the last person to talk to Ebby.. Steppach had recently attended a private school, but the following year she attended a government-funded school. Laurie said she later found out that after Ebby disappeared, Trevor spent his lunch hours searching the trunks of abandoned cars for his sister and traveling to other states following up on tips. Ebby Steppach death has been reported as a homicide. [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. It wasnt until November 2016, almost a year after Ebby disappeared, that police formally searched the Chalamont Park area, turning up no further clues. 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. On October 27, Ebbys abandoned car was discovered in Chalamont Park in Little Rock. Police arrived over an hour later and after a quick inspection, told her it was sewage. 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. Ill be back, dont lock the door. However, the pair had made no arrangements to meet away from the house. Missing Florida mother found deceased in Alabama, Where is 4-year-old Codi Bigsby, missing from Hampton, VA, Ill either see you again or never see you again The Disappearance of Daniel Robinson, Destiny Jacksons body was found in the Las Vegas desert after she was killed during a car jacking, Spooky Houses youll be DYING to stay far away from, Suzanne Morphew (49) has been missing since May 10th, 2020 her husband has been arrested, FOUND SAFE- Laura Lacie Read- missing from Midtown, Houston, after her child is found alone, Dr. Beth Potter, her husband, Robin Carre were killed and found in a ditch, Missing Child Alert: Taylor Rose Williams (5) is missing from Jacksonville, Florida. If she was a runaway like the police kept saying, she wouldve taken her makeup. By Harriet Sokmensuer. October 25, 2015. Ebbys family tried to file a missing person report, but was told by police they had to wait at least 12 hours. So I kept thinking she might have been washed into the pipe, which would have made it more difficult to find her.. It was up to us to clean up the mess and basically start from the beginning. Laurie said she was with her husband out to dinner at the time, but had no idea about the text. Upon Ebbys remains being found, hundreds gathered for her memorial service at Christ Community Church on the campus of the Little Rock Christian Academy. Photo provided by Ebby's mother Laurie Jernigan. She was survived by her parents, Laurie and Michael Jernigan; her father, Peter Steppach; her sister, Harris Elizabeth; brother, Trevor; stepbrother, Ethan; her grandparents . 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 . As of today, the case is still open and unsolved. You would think talking to Danielle and looking into the cell phone pings are two of the first things theyd do. Ebby, thats not a good position, dont put yourself in that. But then kind of that week, I stopped putting such a huge emphasis on it. Ebby was going through a tumultuous time in her senior year, as many teens do. Brandon Lawson The 911 call that led to a mysterious disappearance. Ebbys remains were found on May 22, 2018, a mere 60 feet from where her car had been found two years earlier. Vickers tried to contact the police for three months to offer assistance with the investigation, but his calls and emails went without reply. Ebbys remains were found on May 22, 2018, a mere 60 feet from where her car had been found two years earlier. The claim had come from a family friend, who had searched the park not long after Ebby went missing. The battery was dead, gas tank empty, and keys were left in the ignition. [10] These remains were subsequently confirmed to be those of Steppach. He had footage of it on his dashboard camera, but had since lost the recordings. 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. Ebby Steppach was born on March 31, 1997. Laurie said the days since Ebby died, have been filled with trying to find out what happened to her daughter in October of 2015. He recalled her sounding confused, disoriented and panicked, their mother Laurie told Dateline. 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. Steppach's remains were found not far from where her 2003 Volkswagen . Instead of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to non-profits H.A.L.O.S. 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. Protective. "Maybe if we ignore it, it will go away." I wish my job worked that way. But as time passed, they became more and more worried. But that information will not be released, to avoid jeopardizing the case. I listen to too many. Petito 's tragic story has captured the nation and the internet after she was found dead in the Spread Creek Dispersed Camping Area in. 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. Her death has been classified as a homicide. They're together. They are all good bois and gals but the science just isnt there. 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. On October 30, 2015, the Little Rock Police Department searched an abandoned car in a small r Officers with the Little Rock Police Department searched the park, but came up empty-handed. The blockage was pulled up by the bulldozer and turned around and there she was, right in front of me, Hudson said. Feel free to read more at the resources below, and please let me know what you think about this case. He came in and saved the day on Ebbys case, Laurie said. If she was a runaway like the police kept saying, she wouldve taken her makeup. 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. 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. Or Hospital Scapegoat? Detective Bruce Maxwell has access to all of Hudsons work on the case and they are in constant contact. "Because I know I would've been hysterical and rushed over. I think a young woman was seen speaking with a young man by the park security. Rules and Guidelines. In this update, Laurie is joining us again to discuss how Ebby was found and where her case stands today. They were only 60 feet away from where her car had been abandoned. 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. The family would like to thank all of you who have supported efforts to find Ebby, the statement read. The daughter of two hair stylists, she was already immersed in that world and the craft came naturally. Ebby stayed with Danielle and her family for the remainder of the week. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Many personal items were strewn about the car, including Ebbys phone, wallet and contact lenses. And that's something that has given me solace.". She had been dead since the time her car was found three years prior. At just 35 years old, he died of a massive heart attack. If Ebby had been found right away, we wouldn't have had to go through this nightmare, she said. This was followed by a police search of Chalamont Park in November 2016. Descried as bubbly and of a big heart, Ebby was known for going out of her way to help the ones she loved. If you have any information about the disappearance and murder of Ebby Steppach, please call the Little Rock Police Department at (501) 404-3128. IE 11 is not supported. Ebby Jane Steppach had dreams of becoming a cosmetologist. 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. Parents: Is Your Child Addicted to Screen Time? [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. 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. Arkansas Online series about Ebbys disappearance: https://www.arkansasonline.com/ebby/, Stories of the Unsolved blog post: https://storiesoftheunsolved.com/2019/02/02/the-murder-of-ebby-steppach/, Arkansas Online article about police mishandling evidence & acting inappropriately: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/may/31/report-of-smell-dismissed-in-15-2018053/?page=2, THV11 follow up one year after remains were found: https://www.thv11.com/article/features/one-year-later-the-search-for-justice-in-ebby-steppach-case-continues/91-beb932ec-171e-481a-83a8-068ac173a8e2. 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