Girl on the Milk Carton: Who Killed Jonelle Matthews?

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As someone who has always been captivated by true crime stories and their intricate narratives, this case of Jonelle Matthews has left me deeply moved and fascinated. The longevity of this unsolved mystery and the eventual apprehension of Steve Pankey is a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice that I find both heartbreaking and inspiring.

33 years ago, when I was just 12, a girl named Jonelle Matthews vanished from her home in Greeley, Colorado. The police were called, and they searched our house, looking for any signs of where she might have gone. For nearly three decades, the case seemed unsolvable because no DNA evidence could be found. But then, in 2019, they discovered Jonelle’s remains right here in Greeley. Finally, a year later, they arrested Steve Pankey and charged him with her disappearance. The Oxygen true crime documentary, The Girl on the Milk Carton, delves deeply into this mystery.

According to CBS News, Jonelle Matthews disappeared from her home on December 20, 1984. At the same time, The Colorado Sun highlighted that Jonelle’s father, Jim, became suspicious when their older daughter was unaware of Jonelle’s location. This raised concerns because the children were always expected to inform their parents before going out.

Upon returning home after approximately thirty minutes, I got this eerie sense because our daughters are usually diligent about informing us of any changes in their plans by leaving a note or giving us a call. So, being concerned, we contacted the local authorities to look into the matter. Regrettably, the investigators didn’t have much to go on and only discovered some peculiar footprints in the snow outside our residence.

As reported by CBS News, investigators suspected that someone had attempted to conceal shoe prints using a garden rake, but their subsequent probe yielded no substantial leads. For over three decades, the case lay dormant until 2019 when Jonelle Matthew’s remains were found in Greeley. This grisly discovery rekindled the authorities’ pursuit for justice. Following additional investigation, police charged Steve Pankey with Jonelle Matthews’ disappearance and murder. Despite lacking DNA evidence against him, prosecutors utilized his statements to build a case implicating him in the crime.

Who killed Jonelle Matthews & how was the killer caught?

Previously noted, Steve Pankey was arrested for the murder of Jonelle Matthews. At the time of her disappearance, Pankey and his family resided in Greeley, Colorado. Not long after, they relocated to Idaho, where Pankey devoted his efforts to politics. In Idaho, Pankey had a run-in with law enforcement following an incident at a bank. According to court documents, as reported by CBS News, Pankey intentionally caused the disturbance in the bank in order to interact with police officers and potentially serve as an informant regarding Jonelle Matthews’ case. The filing indicated that Pankey wished to disclose the location of Matthew’s body, but he was afraid that he could face capital punishment.

In September 2019, authorities obtained a search warrant for Steve Pankey’s residence and seized his laptop and cell phone. Later in October 2020, a grand jury indicted him on charges related to the abduction and murder of Jonelle Matthews. Interestingly, the indictment revealed that Pankey had used specific details about a garden rake being used to wipe away footprints in the snow, which had not been previously disclosed. This discrepancy fueled speculation about Pankey’s involvement. Furthermore, during the trial, his former wife testified and recounted Pankey’s controlling behavior, including making her listen to news reports concerning Jonelle Matthews’ disappearance. CBS News covered this story.

Beyond his former spouse, Steve Pankey also appeared in court and refuted all accusations against him, asserting his innocence. After considering various points of view, the jurors retired for deliberation, reaching a verdict in just two days. However, CBS News reported that the jury could not agree on a single decision unanimously. Consequently, the judge declared the case a mistrial.

Starting from October 2022, this trial spanned around three weeks. In the end, I was part of the jury that found Steve Pankey guilty for the murder of Matthews, as reported by The New York Times. He was given a life sentence with eligibility for parole after serving 20 years. Now, he’s serving his time at the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility in Ordway, Colorado.

The Girl on the Milk Carton is available to stream on Oxygen.

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2024-08-30 17:42