Cold Case File: Disappearance and murder in 1997 of Hot Springs teen still remains unsolved

Fort Smith, AR – The disappearance and subsequent murder of 15-year-old Kristy Leigh Yates in 1997 remains one of Arkansas’s most haunting unsolved cases.

Kristy was last seen alive on April 25, 1997, at the Hot Springs Mall. The following day, her body was discovered in a remote area of northern Garland County, sparking a complex investigation that continues to this day.

Yates, a high school student, had gone to the Hot Springs Mall on the evening of April 25. She never returned home, prompting her family to report her missing.

The next day, April 26, her body was found near an abandoned quarry on Sleepy Valley Road3. The discovery shocked the local community and led to an intensive investigation by the Garland County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Arkansas State Police4.

Initial investigations revealed that Kristy had been brutally murdered. Despite extensive efforts, including interviews with potential witnesses and a thorough examination of the crime scene, the case quickly went cold.

Over the years, the FBI has also been involved, offering rewards for information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible.

Authorities believe that the person or persons responsible for Kristy’s death may reside in Arkansas, but no definitive leads have emerged. The case remains open, with investigators periodically revisiting the evidence and following up on new tips.

The FBI is currently offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the death of Kristy Leigh Yates.

The FBI and local law enforcement agencies urge anyone with information about Kristy’s disappearance and murder to come forward.

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the Little Rock Office of the FBI at (501) 221-9100, your local FBI office, or your local law enforcement officials.