By: Sienna Snider, True Crime Writer for Today in Fort Smith
As discussed in previous reports, Travis Crouch remains a prime suspect in the abduction and murder of Melissa Witt.
Melissa Witt disappeared from Bowling World on December 1, 1994, only for her body to be discovered 50 miles away in the Ozark National Forest on January 13, 1995. Tragically, Melissa had been strangled.
Travis Crouch, one of the key suspects in this case, had been released from jail in another state in October 1994. Shortly after his release, he traveled to Arkansas.
Notably, Crouch has never provided a solid alibi for his whereabouts on December 1, 1994, the day Melissa disappeared. Witnesses have placed him in Arkansas at least until mid-December 1994. However, Crouch's trail becomes murky, as records indicate he was arrested in New Orleans around December 31, 1994, or January 1, 1995. The exact date is unclear due to holiday booking complications.
It's also crucial to highlight Travis Crouch's extensive criminal history, marked by violence and sexual assault. Currently, he is serving a prison sentence in Colorado for the kidnapping and brutal sexual assault of a young woman who narrowly escaped with her life when Crouch fell into a drug-induced stupor.
The following is an excerpt from a July 8, 1998, article in the Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Colorado, which covers the sentencing phase of his trial. Judge Morris Sandstead's remarks encapsulate the kind of danger Travis Dale Crouch represents:
RAPIST SENTENCED TO 64 YEARS
BOULDER -- A convicted rapist was sentenced to 64 years in prison Monday after a profanity-laced outburst that led to his removal from the courtroom.
"To hell with you," shouted the 31-year-old Travis Dale Crouch as District Court Judge Morris Sandstead ordered his ejection.
Crouch's outburst followed his denial of the sexual assault of a 20-year-old Broomfield woman on July 28, 1997.
"I never had any power over this girl," Crouch claimed. "I didn't force sex on this person. I don't give a damn what anybody says."
Before handing down the sentence, Judge Sandstead described Crouch as "a sexual predator and a danger to others." He further stated, "No sentence that can be imposed by this court can make the defendant understand the depth of his criminality."
With Travis Crouch currently up for parole in Colorado, concerns have resurfaced, especially following Ridley Scott's Hulu docuseries At Witt's End, which explored Crouch's criminal history and possible connections to the Melissa Witt case.
The docuseries also delved into unsettling allegations of Crouch's involvement in an incestuous relationship with a family member.
As this case continues to unfold, we remain vigilant in uncovering the truth. More updates will follow as the story develops.
