Missing Since March: Kelli Renee Rice
September 26, 2008 by impqueen
Booneville, AR – Young mother Kelli Renee Rice, 25, has been missing since March 2, 2008, but you wouldn’t know it from reading the papers. There’s no widespread search for Kelli. No press coverage, no t-shirts or angel-winged photoshopped pictures circling the internet or the globe. Nobody, it seems, really cares that much what happened to Kelli Rice – except her family. Kelli’s mother, Rhonda, has asked us to feature Kelli on our site in hopes that someone – anyone – will know what has happened to her.
Kelli Rice was born on AugustAugust reviews
1, 1983. A tall, slender girl with light brown hair, she’d run with the same small group of friends since grade school. She hung out with them, partied with them, did drugs with them at times. Kelli was not a saint, her family will tell you. But she was a sweet girl, and trusting – sometimes too trusting, they believe.
Kelli’s son was born two years ago, after she completed drug rehabilitation in Missouri. Now two, her baby’s father is in prison, so he has an alibi for the night Kelli went missing. Kelli had been to see him in Oak Grove, Missouri the week before she disappeared. When she got back to Arkansas, it was party time again.
The following timeline comes from the family’s own investigation of Kelli’s disappearance. At this time, nobody has been named a suspect or even a person of interest in the investigation, and the family believes that local law enforcement has simply decided not to look for Kelli. All information from here out comes from Kelli’s family and friends.
On February 29, Kelli went to a friend’s house. Sometime during that evening, her friends Beronica Terry and Terry Luther Jr. met her at the house and the three of them went to visit a man named Steven Long at his trailer near Ione. Steven Long and Kelli had an on-again, off-again relationship, and Long was reportedly upset that Kelli refused to see him exclusively.
The next day, Kelli, Steven Long and a guy named Aaron Henry went to Ft. Smith, Arkansas to sell drugs to Kelli’s cousin, Mary Foster. Mary says that she bought the drugs the evening of March 1. Then Kelli, Long and Henry left her house between 2:00 and 2:30 on the morning of March 2. The trio said they were headed back to Steven Long’s place.
One man later told deputies that he had seen Kelli Rice walking in the woods near Ione about twelve hours after the group left Mary Foster’s home. He spotted a woman who he believes may have beenKelli at about two in the afternoon of March 2. Days later, Kelli’s jacket was found nearby. There was no blood on the jacket, but there did appear to be marks on the back that looked like whoever was wearing the jacket had been dragged across the ground.
When Kelli didn’t show up to get her baby, her family called to report her missing and deputies questioned the people with whom she was last seen. Aaron Henry reportedly told the investigating officer that Kelli had “freaked out” on the way back from Mary Foster’s house. Henry allegedly said that Kelli had jumped out the window of Long’s pick-up truck and they “never saw her again”.
The problem with his story is that Kelli traditionally rode in the middle of the front seat of that truck, and that window didn’t work without using pliers to crank it. In order to jump out the window, Kelli would have had to jump over Steven Long, use the pliers to crank the window, and get out without anyone stopping her.
Beronica Terry told Kelli’s family that she gave a statement to the police saying that Steven Long had asked her to beat up Kelli. Terry Luther Jr. told the family that Steven Long had offered to pay him and Beronica to bring Kelli to Steven’s house.
And Steven Long, for his part, seems to have left the Ione area himself. Kelli’s family says that Long uses several aliases and has talked a lot, but his story changes each time. In fact, he dropped off Kelli’s purse with her family shortly after she went missing. At this point, Kelli’s mother Rhonda believes that Long and Henry murdered Kelli on the night of March 2.
Kelli’s clothes were found in March near a campfire in the woods near Ione. No other hard evidence appears to have been found. Kelli has not called or shown up for her son – actions her family says are unthinkable for her if she is still alive. The family has received phone calls stating that Kelli’s body has been found or was in a well – one area well was drained to search, but Kelli’s body was not in it. Local law enforcement officials have not commented on this case except to say that Kelli’s body has not been found and that they are treating this case as a missing persons investigation.
If you know Kelli Renee Rice or have any information about her condition or whereabouts, please call the Logan County Arkansas Sheriff’s Office at (479)963-3271.
5:44 am on September 26th, 2008
Well I can only say to the family is that Ihope that they get their Kelli back safely and my prayers are with you, I wander why not more action is being taken on this one, it seems that the search started for Jennifer Hampton right away, which is good and I pray that they find her, Jennifer, as well. It must be a horrific scary situation when someone is missing, I cannot even imagine… Prayers are with Kellis family, along with Jennifer’s family
6:09 am on September 26th, 2008
God help this family. I hope they get an answer as to where there daughter is. The local authorities should be putting more of a effort into this case then they seem to be. Why the slow response?
7:49 am on September 26th, 2008
This is so said!!!
Why isn’t her case getting the publicity that it needs?? That little boy, I’m sure, would like his mama back, and her family would love to have her back…
Please update this if and when you can!! Thanks!!
7:57 am on September 26th, 2008
This is really an open and shut case, the cops only need Kelli’s body and the two in question will rot in prison forever. Maybe Eqqusearch can help. I hope she has tried to contact them.
God bless that poor family and that baby. Kelli, may you rest in peace.
8:06 am on September 26th, 2008
We just can’t thank you enough for doing this. You have been a great help. We just didn’t know where else to turn!
8:23 am on September 26th, 2008
truely sad-hope they find her soon
8:25 am on September 26th, 2008
Hey, is this a family member? Is there anything else we can do to help? I would love to do whatever is needed that I can do in Texas!
8:35 am on September 26th, 2008
Sounds to me like Long is the prime suspect… how could the police not charge him with something… Has anyone been given lie detector tests?? Why the slow response from LE, they don’t care that someone has vanished… Eqqusearch sounds like the most reasonable search team, has the family contacted them? I pray her family and little boy find out soon whatever happened to her. You are all in my prayers..
8:41 am on September 26th, 2008
Hey, if a family member reads this:
http://www.TexasEquuSearch.org
Tim.Miller@TexasEquuSearch.org
http://www.texasequusearch.org/applications/MissingPersonForm%20let.pdf
http://www.texasequusearch.org/report_missingperson.html
8:48 am on September 26th, 2008
Hey, if a family member reads this:
http://www.TexasEquuSearch.org
Tim.Miller@TexasEquuSearch.org
9:00 am on September 26th, 2008
If this is a family member…
My prayers are with you.
9:01 am on September 26th, 2008
Thanks, all, for your kind thoughts. I am not a family member; Kelli’s mom, Rhonda, is my brother’s long-time live-in girlfriend and close friend of mine. I will try to answer all the questions I can and will try to get Rhonda here.
We have no idea why the LE seems to not be putting any effort into this at all. They think she ran away. That did not happen, we are all sure of that.
Family has tried to search the woods because LE wasn’t and they were kicked out by LE and told they would be arrested if they didn’t stop. So, Rhonda started talking to people and put together the timeline of events.
There has been one newspaper article on her disappearance and in it, the sheriff asked people to stop talking to the family because it upset them or some other nonsense. No. What is upsetting is that nothing is being done. The sheriff refuses to talk to any of us and said he doesn’t have to. He simply doesn’t return our calls anymore. When Rhonda’s in Arkansas, she’s taken to following his truck around trying to get him to talk to her. Usually he won’t. That’s the upsetting part.
Yes, we contacted Equisearch in June, maybe July, and left a message. We haven’t heard back from them, yet. They are very busy people. We’ve also contacted America’s Most Wanted and haven’t heard back, yet.
So, Rhonda and I contacted Imp and Morbid with a case number asking if they could help. Wonderful, kind people.
9:08 am on September 26th, 2008
Buckle, I didn’t want to thank you by name in the article because I wasn’t sure if you wanted it out there. But since you’re commenting, thank you so much for all your help, for the pictures, for the details I needed to get this story written.
I know EquuSearch is having a rough time post-Ike right now, but hopefully things will be better soon and they can help or point you in the right direction. And maybe some publicity won’t hurt – be nice if you could get a call back from local law enforcement, too.
I think she’s out there in the woods somewhere. How’s her baby boy doing? Is he with Rhonda now?
9:12 am on September 26th, 2008
Beronica Terry says she gave a statement to the police. LE wouldn’t confirm that. Aaron Henry was questioned and Steve Long was questioned. No lie detector tests given. Steve Long dropped off Kelli’s purse to her aunt’s house a few days after she went missing… after the bastard emptied it out of anything of value.
Yes, the baby would like his mommy back. Grandpa’s taking care of him now.
9:21 am on September 26th, 2008
Do you know where Long is?? Has he talked to anyone about that night??
This story truly breaks my heart!!
9:25 am on September 26th, 2008
Thanks, Imp. I guess since you took the time to get this out there, the least I can do is answer questions. The publicity has got to help, can’t hurt, right? Bah, the paper didn’t even put her picture with the article.
We understand that ES is very busy and that they were hit hard during Ike. They surely have thousands of people contacting them. Just have to wait our turn.
Rhonda doesn’t have the baby, but talks to him and Grandpa and step-Grandma by phone. My brother travels the country for work (Rhonda with him), and Grandpa is right there in Arkansas. That seemed to be the best place for the baby right now. Rhonda makes the trip to Arkansas often and sees the baby then.
9:44 am on September 26th, 2008
So she freaked and jumped out the window of the truck? Very likely. Sounds more like she was angry and left the truck, was followed and beaten to death. The idiot returned her purse because it made the “she left me” story more believeable.
Buckle, it sounds as if the police realize they were wrong to assume this was just a woman moving on and leaving her baby behind and now they don’t want to be embarrassed by being proven to have been wrong. Why would they kick people out who where searching for her in the woods? Makes no sense.
Maybe hiring a cadaver dog to go through the wood where she disappeared would help you. At least such a dog might turn up more of her belongings. I’d just go ahead and do it without publicity so the police can’t stop you. I am sorry to be pessimistic about her chances and hope that I am wrong about the dog, but it is an avenue to think about.
9:46 am on September 26th, 2008
There are rumors circulating that Steve Long shot her. Apparently because he was mad she wouldn’t be his girlfriend. LE doesn’t think so and besides that, he’s left the area.
The man that says he saw Kelli in the woods the afternoon of March 2, simply says he saw a woman there, but that it’s a very common place for people to be, so it may not have been her. LE didn’t really follow up as far as I know… gee, cuz they won’t say anything.
9:54 am on September 26th, 2008
Exactly. Her jacket has what appear to be drag marks on the back of it. Can’t fault your pessimism, as her mother believes something very similar. I will try to find some information on hiring a dog.
I knew some help and good ideas would come from the people here!
9:56 am on September 26th, 2008
What a heartbreaking story. The lack of coverage or an investigation makes it doubly so. Grrr.
What makes no sense to me is the statement by “a man” who claims to have seen her walking in those woods ~12 hours after she left Mary Foster’s home with Long and Henry. If they killed her that night after they left, how did this guy see her and describe her jacket? I’m curious about this lead. I’d especially like to know who the “man” was, whether he was a stranger or if he knew her, and how credible the police believe that sighting to be.
Are the police reports available anywhere??
Buckle, do you know if the family made any efforts to contact the local media to try to get this story out in the public eye? Sometimes shining the hot light of press coverage on a story makes LE snap back to attention. It shouldn’t take that to make them do their jobs, but I think sometimes it’s necessary.
And finally, does Long have “deep roots” in this community, or connections to anyone on the force? I’m wondering if there’s any incentive for them to make this story go away….
Poor gal. I hope she’s found so the family can have some closure.
10:11 am on September 26th, 2008
The “man” didn’t say he saw Kelli. He says he saw a woman and that it wasn’t unusual because it’s a common place to see people walking, hiking, whatever. He didn’t describe the jacket, that’s the jacket they found by the campfire and Rhonda ID’d it as Kelli’s. Long is from the area, I’ll check with Rhonda about the LE connection. It’s a very, very tiny place and probably everybody is related or known by everybody else.
I’m going to try to put the article link in here; I’m blog retarded, so it may not work.
http://www.boonevilledemocrat.com/articles/2008/05/07/news/news3.txt
I have personally contacted the local paper by email (all of them listed on their website) several times with no response.
10:15 am on September 26th, 2008
This is a truly sad story
Buckle, my thoughts are prayers are with you and Kelli’s family and friends.
10:18 am on September 26th, 2008
How do I go about getting these? The sheriff and investigators will tell us nothing. Rhonda’s called, I’ve called, other family members have called. They actually told Rhonda they don’t have to talk to her and they won’t. They just don’t return calls. Like I said, Rhonda sorta stalk him now when she’s in town. She also contacted the FBI and they said they won’t get involved unless the sheriff asks them to. She’s contacted state’s attorney and all kinds of people listed on the Arkansas government page. No help there, either. I have the case number?
Imp, did they talk to you?
10:25 am on September 26th, 2008
Ok, thanks, Buckle. I thought Imp’s writeup said he saw her wearing a jacket with a casino logo that was later found in the woods. I must have misunderstood that.
I think that the Demonites should all call or send emails to the local media asking about follow up on this story. I don’t think we can all start calling LE very effectively, but the media we could bombard. If they take interest in the case and cover it, that would spark some LE movement, I’d think.
That Booneville Democrat seems tiny. What’s the next closest large town or city to this area? Does the paper from that town/city ever cover stories from Booneville? What is the local TV News station?
10:27 am on September 26th, 2008
There IS a possible incentive for LE to not investigate, and try to make this problem “go away.” It’s called a “Confidential Informant.” When the LE grooms a “CI,” they’ll move Heaven & Earth to insure that there’s nothing to tie them to other, sometimes more heinous crimes. You see, if they have to use the “CI’s” testimony in court, their credibility is an issue, and their cooperation is paramount. This douchebag, Steven Long, probably is a “CI,” because it’s a good way to keep LE off your back, and get rid of competition.
10:28 am on September 26th, 2008
Very sad. I truly hope Kelli is found or just shows up one day at the front door. Terrible, her baby is missing his mama.
10:32 am on September 26th, 2008
If so, that would most likely be my fault. Poor Imp had to wade and pick through many of my probably very confusing emails to put this story together.
I’ll call Rhonda now and try to get her on here or at least get the TV and big town paper names.
10:34 am on September 26th, 2008
Have you thought of trying any national news outlets or programs such as Dateline. Also is it possible for y’all to try talking with another news station in your state, say one that is not really local but close enough that they might be willing to cover the story?
10:51 am on September 26th, 2008
Another great idea! We will do this, too.
Very, very interesting possibility.
A question. Sometimes I get these emails with pictures of missing people on them, etc. and they say pass it on to everybody in your address book. You know the ones? Could I use this story and try doing something like that with it? Copyrights and whatnot? I’m in Iowa, so I can’t do much more than email and phone calls.
10:52 am on September 26th, 2008
Buckle, Family and Friends –
Sorry you are not getting the national attention this case derserves. Thank you for sharing your story with us and hopefully this will be a good starting point. My prayers are with you and you all hang in there and be strong for her son.
10:58 am on September 26th, 2008
I cannot believe no one is doing anything about this! How sad! I will be praying for this family…
11:22 am on September 26th, 2008
You could also try creating a myspace account with the information as you have it, and as many pictures as you can find, and then passing that along. If you do so, post the info here, and I’ll be sure to add you and forward the info along.
The news here in Chicago just ran a really ridiculous story as one of their top stories (the controversy over the new Facebook *eyeroll*), so it might not be so hard to get this story out there, especially if you’re lucky enough to have a slow news day. If you go to the larger news stations websites, you might find a way to contact them and get them to respond.
Good luck, and I’m so sorry your family is going through this. I hope Kelli is found safe, and her son gets to grow up with his mom at his side.
11:25 am on September 26th, 2008
Just a guess…and I see others are following the same line of thought here…small town….inside informant…polictical agendas, personal relationships and nepotism be damned….someone needs to find this girl…
Consider it done
Now your thinking. Steven Long may not even have to be CI…I would say simply on what is reported here….CI is way too much of a tag for him…..simple police involvement in a drug connection, or deals…hoping to “catch” the big fish…will over ride finding someone they believe is already dead….If law enforcment actually did find her body, they would have to charge someone, and perhaps critically injure their “big drug bust” (small town logic…idiocracy at it’s best).
11:29 am on September 26th, 2008
11:30 am on September 26th, 2008
I cannot get over LE’s nonchalant attitude with this case! Or the local paper’s lack of effort. I sent the following via email to the Booneville Democrat and I encourage all others to do the same……
“Why would you print an article about a missing person and not include a picture of said person? That makes the article pretty useless!!! How about a follow-up story on Kelli’s disappearance (probable murder) including a photo of Kelli?!!!??? I think it would be the only responsible thing to do for the local community that your publication serves.”
11:32 am on September 26th, 2008
Buckle…….I know what you mean. I have two teenage sons that cannot understand how I can get by in this world sometimes. *tee hee*
11:34 am on September 26th, 2008
One of my first thoughts was……..Is this sheriff up for election anytime soon?
11:38 am on September 26th, 2008
Buckle….do you know who owns the property that Kelli’s coat was found on? If it was private property, can the cops just kick you off of it without the owner pressing trespassing charges? Was it posted property? If it was public property, you own the property as a taxpayer…..I would think.
11:49 am on September 26th, 2008
Okey doke. I sent a letter to the editor of the Booneville Democrat. To whit:
To the Editor,
In March, your newspaper covered the disappearance of Kelli Renee Rice. In May, you followed the story up with a brief piece saying she was still missing, and that she had not been found dead.
This investigation has been allowed to languish. The stories of her companions that evening don’t add up, one of those companions has since left town, her clothes were found in the woods, and no one has seen or heard from her since. The police do not return phone calls from the family, and it seems as if the investigation has been dropped – if it was ever pursued in the first place.
The media plays an integral part in the justice system in the United States. First, you play a role in getting the word about a crime out. This is why the Amber Alert system has been so successful. If you shine a light on a crime by publishing the details — including a picture of the missing person — and continue to ask the public for assistance, there’s a chance information will come to light.
Further, if you continue to cover the story, it brings attention to the inactivity of law enforcement, and can be instrumental in pushing the investigation along.
It’s a crying shame that a 25 year old woman can disappear without a trace — most likely the victim of foul play — and no one bothers to talk about it.
Please cover the case of Kelli Renee Rice. Please give this missing woman a voice, so that justice may be served.
11:56 am on September 26th, 2008
Just got off the phone with Rhonda. We shared a short cry over the fact that you people care enough to help and actually care what happened and you are complete strangers. Thank you so much!
She’ll be on shortly and may post. She’ll correct any misinformation for you that I have here. If there is any, it was an accident and I’ll apologize in advance.
The sheriff is up for re-election this year. Good information to have. She thinks the place where Kelli’s stuff was found is called Walker Ridge, but that may not be the official name. There aren’t any no trespassing signs or anything and it does have hiking trails.
12:03 pm on September 26th, 2008
Thank you for answering my questions so quickly. I wonder how the re-election plays into the LE reaction to Kelli’s disappearance…….It sounds to me like we could possibly be talking about a public park. If that’s the case I don’t see how LE had any right to tell you to leave, unless it was after the posted closing hours. I would suggest trying to get some volunteers from local churches (not the sheriff’s church) and searching the area once again. I wish you all the luck in the world! That little boy needs his Mommy!
12:11 pm on September 26th, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. I can’t imagine having something as horrible as this happen – then having LE turn their heads.
How about sending this story on to Fox News, 20/20, Discovery (they have a lot of true-crime stories), etc?
Since the sheriff is up for re-election, I think I’d start raising a stink about how he doesn’t deserve to be elected if he can ignore something like this! Make it personal for him, too.
I’m in Washington State so I can’t get out there and search personally, but I’d love to help with a letter-writing campaign and getting the word out! Just say the word….
12:23 pm on September 26th, 2008
Chrissey…………..I think you have some ideas that would be very helpful. Go for it!!!! I also believe that it will be more effective if these media outlets receive a lot of emails, etc. Power in numbers!
12:39 pm on September 26th, 2008
I will be doing just that! Every missing person case deserves as much attention as the next!
12:44 pm on September 26th, 2008
Sintax, I happened to be on the phone with Rhonda when your email came through, so I asked her. Great note to the paper!
Ruby, WOW, what an eloquent letter to the editor! I hope they print it. Maybe we’ll get something moving in Logan County after all.
Chrissey, more great ideas! I’ll try to work on all of the ideas you guys have come up with.
Still wondering, how can I get the police reports and such?
1:01 pm on September 26th, 2008
I’m not sure…If the media gets involved, I would think they could help. I’m not sure if that is something you might find on the internet.
1:05 pm on September 26th, 2008
Helpful missing persons guide. Its a .pdf file. You need to have adobe.
http://www.carolesundfoundation.com/files/MissingPersonGuide_111306%282%29.pdf
1:06 pm on September 26th, 2008
They also have some really great ideas here.
http://helpfindthemissing.org/forum/showthread.php?t=23
1:30 pm on September 26th, 2008
Thanks, Lynn!
After reading the first one, I just spent 20 minutes of being passed around and on hold with the FBI to ask if she was on the NCIC for missing persons.
The answer was… contact your local law enforcement, they will tell you.
But, they don’t answer or return our calls anymore.
I’m sorry ma’am, I can’t help you. You need to contact your local law enforcement.
Productive. Not. I’ll continue down this list.
1:39 pm on September 26th, 2008
I cannot tell you how much this pisses me off!!!!!! Those assholes are paid by the taxpayers!! We are their bosses! They should not be allowed to ignore whomever they please. Who is above the sheriff? The state atty. general? Hell!!! Let’s get Bill Clinton involved!! Get ahold of state congressmen/ladies. Write to the governor. What about Mike Huckabee? Isn’t he still around? Keep up the pressure on this county sheriff. Make him understand his behavior is unacceptable.
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