The Unsolved M-urder of Dana Lynell Stidham

On July 25, 1989, 18-year-old Dana Lynell Stidham was doing what many daughters would do — helping her family. She had stopped by her parents’ home in Centerton, Arkansas, to do laundry. Her father, Lawrence, wasn’t feeling well that day and asked if she could pick up some medicine for him. Without hesitation, Dana agreed.

Around 3:00 p.m., she left the house and drove to Phillips Food Store (now a Harp’s) in the Bella Vista Town Center, just a few miles away. She was last seen wearing a white top with red lettering, red socks, and white tennis shoes. This would be the final time anyone saw Dana alive.

The Last Confirmed Moments

According to a store receipt found later, Dana checked out at 3:17 p.m. after purchasing Alka-Seltzer, sugar, and dishwashing soap. Before leaving the store, she briefly spoke with an older man, believed to be an employee. That conversation marked the last confirmed sighting of the bright, responsible young woman.

Dana never made it back home.

A Heartbreaking Discovery

For nearly two months, Dana’s family lived in agonizing uncertainty. Then, on September 16, 1989, a local squirrel hunter named Wayne T. Grantham made a devastating discovery in a remote wooded area near Bella Vista. He found Dana’s remains but, shockingly, waited an entire day to report it — reportedly because he didn’t want to disrupt his hunting plans. He finally contacted the Benton County Sheriff’s Office the next morning.

By the time investigators arrived, Dana’s body was approximately 90% skeletal. Her skull and most of the jaw were intact, but the scene told a horrifying story: there was duct tape on her clothing, a cut bra strap, a nick on her left shoulder blade, and several feet of bailing twine tied with distinctive knots. Her purse was missing, and due to the advanced state of decomposition, forensic experts could not determine if she had been sexually assaulted.

A Case That Remains Open

Despite extensive investigation, the murder of Dana Stidham has never been solved. Over the decades, Benton County investigators have followed countless leads, interviewed numerous people, and revisited the case multiple times. Yet her killer has never been identified or brought to justice.

Dana’s family has endured more than 36 years of pain — not only losing their beloved daughter and sister in such a brutal way, but also being denied the closure of knowing who was responsible. Her memory continues to live on through her loved ones, who have never stopped hoping for answers.

Remembering Dana

Dana Lynell Stidham was a young woman with her whole life ahead of her. She had recently graduated high school and was known for her kind heart, strong work ethic, and close bond with her family. Her life was stolen in a moment of unimaginable violence, and her absence left a permanent void.

Dana Lynell Stidham
March 8, 1971 – July 25, 1989

Gone too soon, but never forgotten. Her case remains one of Northwest Arkansas’s most haunting cold cases. If you have any information about the murder of Dana Stidham, please contact the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

Even after all these years, her family and the community still wait for justice. One ordinary afternoon. One simple errand. And a lifetime of pain that followed. 💔