Murder of Barbara Barnes
| Barbara Barnes | |
|---|---|
 School portrait of Barbara Barnes | |
| Born |
Barbara Ann Barnes August 12, 1982 Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio |
| Disappeared |
December 7, 1995 (aged 13) Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio |
| Cause of death | Homicide by strangulation |
| Body discovered | February 22, 1996 |
| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Occupation | Student |
| Known for | Murder victim |
Barbara Ann Barnes was an American thirteen-year-old schoolgirl who was murdered in December 1995. The case remains unsolved to this day. Many have speculated that her grandfather may have been responsible for her death, but others believe that the crime was committed by someone local to the area.[1][2] Journalist James Renner has published his theory that the case may be connected to the murders of Tina Harmon, Krista Harrison, Deborah Smith and Amy Mihaljevic.[3]
Background
Barnes was described as having been a soft-spoken girl who did well in school. She was in eighth grade and attended the nearby Harding Middle School. Because of the short distance between her home and her school, she walked to and from it every day, along with many other students.[2] Her father had been shot to death in 1989, which had affected her to the point where her personality had changed.[4]
Disappearance and murder
It was reported that Barnes was seen walking to school in her hometown of Steubenville, Ohio when she was believed to have been kidnapped on December 7, 1995, by a classmate who was reportedly walking behind her prior to the beginning of the school day. After she failed to return home, an investigation began, including statewide searches.[5] On February 22, 1996, her remains were discovered by surveyors in a riverbed and the cause of death was determined by examiners to have been by strangulation and she had also been raped.[2][6]
Investigation
Although her body was discovered on the property of her uncle, Louis Boyce, he has yet to be charged with her murder. Boyce has remained under suspicion due to the fact that he reportedly did not pass a polygraph test regarding the murder of Barbara. He is also believed by Barnes' family as well as members of the city to have been partially responsible for the murder of Barbara's father, although one man is currently serving life in prison for his death.[2]
A friend of Boyce expressed that it was unlikely that her grandfather had anything to do with the murder, stating that it was not likely for him to have harmed any of his grandchildren. Other leads include a Florida man convicted of abducting children who had been present in Steubenville when Barbara Barnes was abducted, although some members of the police department are skeptical, supporting the theory that she may have been murdered by someone native to the area.[2][5]
References
- ↑ "Barbara Ann Barnes". Find A Grave.com. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Swaint, Jack (10 July 2007). "Who Killed 13-Year-Old Barbara Ann Barnes?". Who killed--? Pittsburgh, PA. Bloomington, IN: Rooftop Pub. ISBN 1600080405. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ↑ Renner, James. "The Serial Killer's Desciple". Retrieved 22 May 2012.
- ↑ Goddard, Alexandria. "Who Killed Barbara?". Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- 1 2 Connors, Fred (11 June 2011). "All Cases Summary". Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ↑ Swaint, Jack. "Unsolved Murders In The Mountain State". westvirginianews.blogspot.com. Retrieved 18 January 2015.