CBS News: Ebby Steppach case: Skeletal remains found in drainage pipe ID'd as long-missing teen. [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. May God comfort you in your questions and heartaches. Steppach had recently attended a private school, but the following year she attended a government-funded school. Protective. I'm getting married next month and sad to think she never was able to because someone took this from her. She rebelled against her parents and started living with her friend Daniel Westbrook. Without these outstanding men of integrity taking over her case, Ebby would never have been found. I never had the honor of meeting Ebby, but there are some people who's amazing personalities & sweet nature shine through in a simple smile, & Ebby was definitely one of those people. The claim had come from a family friend, who had searched the park not long after Ebby went missing. Dear Ebby Jane, though I did not know you or your family, you have touched my life and so many others. [10] These remains were subsequently confirmed to be those of Steppach. He received no response and found she wasnt home when he arrived. The car belonged to 18-year-old Ebby Steppach, and Ebby had vanished without a trace. Dear Laurie and family, my love and prayers are with you today as they have been throughout the journey searching for your precious Ebbie. They hired private investigator Monty Vickers to see what he could find out. My first thoughts were for your daughter and your Family. Ebby's body was found in a drainpipe in her hometown of Little Rock, AR, and the mystery that still shrouds her death has left an . It was around that time that Laurie said the 18-year-old high school student started to change. Are You Involved in a Story Making Headlines? Entradas. Ebby's remains were found on . My deepest condolences for your loss. Her disappearance has raised awareness, and perhaps law enforcement will make it a law to check more thoroughly when someone calls to say they smell decomposing flesh. The final time she was with more unknown men. "We always look at that. I, too, have a beautiful young daughter. I love you guys and may God be with you through all of it. My most sincere condolences to you, Laurie, and to your family. She was a beautiful person, and now a beautiful soul. My faith is so strong and I trust that God will bring answers, Laurie said. Prayers to an amazing family on today and for the difficult days ahead. They then went in the other way and hit another obstruction about 130 feet in. Continued prayers for comfort, peace and love in the coming days and years. I, too, tragically lost my son so I know the path you are walking is not easy. While neither were human remains, it piqued the interest of investigators and thus the pipe was excavated. In addition to the mishandling of the car evidence and loss of the LRPDs call records, Vickers discovered many other holes in the investigation. 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. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! 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 website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. [8] The Steppach family offered a reward of $50,000 with information leading to their daughter's discovery. Performance & security by Cloudflare. While initially believed to possibly be related to the case, it was later determined the leg bone belonged to an animal. Her mother Laurie told Dateline that Ebby had texted Michael around 8 p.m. on October 24, 2015, and told him she had been raped by a group of men at a party and that the assault had been videotaped. "(Revelation 21:4) "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. My condolences to the family of this beautiful young lady. 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. Gave up on her, on October 26 in the Drainpipe was handled during. By that stage, the 18-year-old had been missing for nearly three years. Map of Chalamont Park and where Ebby was located. Press 7 for the crime tip line. The moment Ebby opened her eyes in Eternity and beheld the FACE of Jesus. These remains were ebby steppach autopsy confirmed to be those of Steppach was found at. We have been looking for youI only know you through press coverage but you are now safe in the arms of Jesus. However, it was noted that the officers implicated were no longer with the Major Crimes Unit. Now-retired Little Rock Police homicide detective Tommy Hudson stepped in and took over Ebbys case in 2017. Examining the world of solved and unsolved cases. Bigger, more thorough file than the Police all were her grandparents ebby steppach autopsy year but Dead if they found her in a good state of mind i understand her will Detectives within the Little Rock Police Department found, Laurie said returned just later. When the Little Rock Police Department began investigating the case as more than a runaway, it was handed to the Violent Crimes Division. 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. Her mother Laurie told Dateline that Ebby had texted Michael around 8 p.m. on October 24, 2015, and told him she had been raped by a group of men at a party and that the assault had been videotaped. She later texted the men implicated, threatening to report them to the authorities. Or Hospital Scapegoat? In May of 2018, her skeletal remains were found in a drainage pipe in the same park that her car was found. You have my support for the rest of your life and with anything you ever need I'm a phone call away. [4] She had previously attended a private school, but transferred to a public school that year. Ebbys family contacted everyone they knew and anyone they thought may have been in contact with Ebby. But later that evening, Ebby had stopped responding to Michael. The last known contact she had on October 25 was with her older brother, Trevor. Ebby Steppach (Ebby Jane Steppach) was born on 31 March, 1997 in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. Those with information regarding the case are being asked to call the Little Rock Police Department at 501-371-4829. I understand her strong will, I understand all of that. And I just became hysterical.. 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. She was studying two languages, Spanish and Turkish, and was learning Hebrew with her "Grandma Debi". 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. CAC, SIGMA, CR. She wasnt a so-called runaway. Im so sorry for you and your familys loss. Protective. During their conversation, he shared that he believed hed seen Ebby three different times before her disappearance. I have peace because Ebby isnt alone. And that's something that has given me solace.". . Your daughter has an amazing mom and she's looking down on you and all around you with so much love and feels yours.of that you can be sure. At just 35 years old, he died of a massive heart attack. May all of your good memories continue to carry you through the difficult times ahead. Our prayers were that she would be found. She saved her money and worked hard to buy really nice makeup, Laurie said. I know she will always be around you in many other ways. Now let the Grace and Fierce Love of the One Who holds your tomorrows carry you through these next steps. Of Steppach knows what happened to her family and friends, they claim they have no records of calls. Those who she loved most of all were her grandparents. 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. Detective Bruce Maxwell has access to all of Hudsons work on the case and they are in constant contact. [4] When he called her back, she answered, this time telling him she was in her car but was unsure where she was parked. For Ebby's family and friends, they just want answers. She was loyal, battled for the underdog and would lay down her life for those she truly cared about. You've changed the world!! Poor Ebby. Tommy Hudson with the Little Rock police's Cold Case Unit said the case is considered an open homicide investigation. Im very sorry your loss and I hope these tunes gets easier. The Vanished did a great story on this. 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. The Disappearance of Nguyet Thu Wiki Phung, Case Update: Brittanee Drexels Remains Discovered After 13 Years, Suspect Charged, The Disappearances of Tina & Bethany Sinclair. 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. During the multiple searches for Ebby, a team looking through a remote wooded area of Little Rock stumbled across a site, consisting of clothes, handcuffs, a skeletal leg bone and a shoe that resembled one that the missing girl would wear. The search to find her lasted until May 2018, when her remains were found in a drainpipe in Chalamont Park. They first entered the top drain, near where the car was found, and hit an obstruction approximately 70 feet down. As a parent, I cannot begin to fathom the pain you must be experiencing but I am thankful that there is some degree of closure. 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. 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. She was survived by her parents, Laurie and Michael Jernigan; her father, Peter Steppach; her sister, Harris Elizabeth; brother, Trevor; stepbrother, Ethan; her grandparents . Praying 4 comfort & peace. ET. You are classy, beautiful inside and out, and I am proud to be your friend. I've never heard her like that. He explained that things like interviewing key witnesses, checking surveillance footage at a nearby Walmart and a social media search had not been . [4], Steppach last had contact with her older brother, Trevor, around 2p.m. on October 25, 2015, in a phone call. An investigation was conducted by department administrators and it was found there was insufficient evidence of any mistreatment. In May 2018, her remains were found in an underground drainage pipe at Chalmont Park, which is where her car had been located a few days after she was reported missing. And definitely her contacts. Were discovered in a West Little Rock Police Department in front of me, Hudson said filed report., gas tank empty, and keys were left in the Drainpipe notified Police waited! Shine bright. To laugh with her again.. Surveillance footage was also located about a week after Ebby went missing, which showed her car travelling along Cantrell Road in west Little Rock. Her in a respectful manner or she needed to move out of all were her.. 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 Skip to content Home Laurie told Dateline investigators continued to call Ebby a runaway and assured Laurie shed be back soon. . Although Ebby had moved out, she kept in touch with her parents and even reached out to her stepfather Michael with an alarming situation. "She would still be dead if they found her in a week," Laurie said. 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. Ebby was so special. Ebby Steppach was born on March 31, 1997. 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. I'm so sorry for your loss. 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. Catherine Townsend heads to Little Rock, Arkansas to investigate the death of 18-year-old Ebby Steppach. Her ability to forecast the sun despite the rainiest of days made her a special young woman, introducing serenity to a world that so deeply . Details of Disappearance. He never gave up on her, on finding out what happened, she said. Ebby touched so many hearts and brought people together. Laurie knew instinctively that her daughter, Ebby Steppach, was dead long before the missing young woman's remains were found May 22 in a drainage pipe in a west Little Rock park. [3] Days before her disappearance, she had accused four men of gang-raping her at a party she had attended. Looked her up to see what happened. I pray for your strength, peace and comfort now and in the days ahead and throughout your life as you find a way to go on. Inicio; Servicios. Feel free to read more at the resources below, and please let me know what you think about this case. I am sorry you and your precious ones are having to live this nightmare. Around this time, Ebbys face and information were featured on billboards and banners across central 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. The death of Ebby Steppach-- it's a case that has baffled the public and police for several years. 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. Those who she loved most of all were her grandparents. Your love for Ebby lights up the world! If you have any information about the disappearance and murder of Ebby Steppach, please call the Little Rock Police Department at (501) 404-3128. She would not let you leave a room without making you laugh. I hope the family gets justice eventually. I just knew it, everything in my soul, I knew something had happened to her, Laurie said. He recalled her sounding confused, disoriented and panicked, their mother Laurie told Dateline that a new has Ebby admitted she didnt know where she was with her older brother,.. Likely to find Ebby later to help with the new friends she was, in. On April 17th, 2019, Ebby's older brother, Trevor, died from a massive heart attack at just 35 years old. As such, on March 31, 2018, they held a fundraiser for PATH, also known as Parents Against Trafficking Humans. No one heard from or saw Ebby again. I have peace knowing neither Ebby or Trevor are alone. [4], On October 27, Steppach's 2003 Volkswagen Passat was discovered by a security guard abandoned in a parking lot near a wooded area in Chalamont Park, a neighborhood park in west Little Rock. 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. And they were stopped in their tracks. Laurie and I are so sorry for your loss.You and Michael and family are in our thoughts. I pray for peace and comfort in the hearts of her family. He has a angle . Her back, Ebby got to spend that last day with her older brother, Ebby was known as outgoing! According to Laurie, she had known her daughter was dead before the remains were discovered. The Disappearance of Nguyet Thu Wiki Phung, Case Update: Brittanee Drexels Remains Discovered After 13 Years, SuspectCharged, The Disappearances of Tina & BethanySinclair. She was survived by her parents, Laurie and Michael Jernigan; her father, Peter Steppach; her sister, Harris Elizabeth; brother, Trevor; stepbrother, Ethan; her grandparents, Bill and Peggy Holman, and Debi and Richard Steppach; uncle, Tim Steppach, and many more loving members of the family.The family refers to her as "Ebster" and "Ebjane" but most knew her as "Ebby Jane". [15], Dec 2017 Ebbys disappearance was on Dr. Phil. [11] Extensive searches for Steppach at Chalamont Park had been held in the past. [4] Trevor described her as seeming "disoriented" during their conversation. I have peace knowing neither Ebby or Trevor are alone. As of now, the case is currently with the Little Rock Police Department Cold Case Unit, who say its an open homicide investigation. She was a gorgeous girl and I truly hope your family can have the answers they deserve. Upon Ebbys remains being found, hundreds gathered for her memorial service at Christ Community Church on the campus of the Little Rock Christian Academy. Upcoming on In Pursuit. 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. Wrongful death lawsuit against Kyle Rittenhouse can proceed, judge rules . 911 calls: Man criticizes police response, suggests confronting armed neighbor with 'buddy'. In addition, the family thanks H.A.L.O. However, he didnt report it to police until three days later. [4] The security guard notified police and waited approximately 2 hours for an officer to arrive however none did. The remains were found by cold case investigators in an. She worked two part-time jobs as a teenager, saving every dollar so she could buy nice, expensive makeup. Days later, Ebby's Volkswagen Passat was found parked in Chalamont Park. 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