Ten Years Later Arkansas Still Seeks Answers in the Disappearance of Ebby Steppach

It has been ten years since Ebby Steppach, a teenager from Little Rock, was last seen alive. In all this time, the truth about what happened to her has remained a painful mystery. Her remains were eventually found and confirmed to be the victim of a homicide. Yet no answers have emerged about who is responsible.

Over the years, the investigation has faced missed opportunities and unanswered questions, while her family has refused to stop seeking justice. Her story continues to weigh heavily on the community. As the ten year mark passes, the case is drawing renewed attention and the same haunting questions remain. What happened to Ebby? How did her life end? And why, after all this time, are so many crucial details still unknown?

A Beloved Teenager Whose Life Changed Overnight

Across the capital city, many people remember Ebby from the missing posters and widespread news coverage that followed her disappearance. But to those who knew her personally, she was a loved and cherished part of their lives.

In the days leading up to her disappearance, Ebby reported that she had been gang raped at a party by four men. On October 25, 2015, the high school senior, who had just turned 18, made a distressed phone call to her brother, Trevor, telling him about the assault. That call was the last known contact anyone had with her.

Ebby was last seen near 53rd Street and University Avenue sometime between the night of Saturday, October 24, and the early hours of October 25, 2015. Two days later, her car was discovered abandoned at Chalamont Park in West Little Rock. The keys were still in the ignition, the battery had died, the gas tank was empty, and her belongings were left inside. But Ebby herself was nowhere to be found.

Her case remained a missing person investigation until May 2018, when police discovered human remains inside a drainage pipe at the park. The Arkansas State Crime Lab confirmed the remains were Ebby’s, and her death was ruled a homicide. Yet to this day, no one has been charged.

Now, at the ten year mark, investigators and the community agree that something terrible happened to Ebby. Still, the most important questions remain unanswered.

Questions and Concerns About the Investigation

Many believe the case was mishandled from the beginning. Critics point to missed evidence, slow response times, and previous searches that failed to uncover her remains even though they were later found in the same location.

“Of course, there were some issues between the family and law enforcement early on,” an investigator acknowledged in 2017.

During one private search at Chalamont Park, Margie Foley, a family friend, told police she detected the smell of decomposition and immediately reported it. However, she said officers dismissed her concerns, insisting the park had already been searched with trained canines and suggesting the odor must have come from an animal.

For many, this moment reflects a troubling pattern of overlooked clues and missed opportunities. It continues to fuel criticism and raises serious questions about how such a high profile case could go unsolved for so long.

A Renewed Push for Answers

Nearly ten years after Ebby Steppach disappeared, there is a renewed push for answers. Since Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office joined the investigation, the Little Rock Police Department and the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office have been working together to move the case forward. Their partnership began in 2024 when the state launched a cold case unit.

The goal is to strengthen the investigation by combining resources and applying a fresh perspective. Detectives are thoroughly reviewing the case file, conducting new interviews, and reevaluating earlier statements. Advancements in DNA testing have also created new opportunities to uncover critical evidence.

Attorney General Griffin said his office is just as determined as the family to find the truth.

“I cannot share all the details,” Griffin said. “But we are looking at this case with fresh eyes and re interviewing witnesses who were previously involved.”

He stressed how important it is for families to feel supported during long investigations.

“When a loved one goes missing, it matters to the family that law enforcement and the community have not forgotten them,” he said. “We want them to know we are still committed.”

Ebby Needs Justice, and Arkansas Needs Answers

Ebby’s mother, Laurie Jernigan, leads the fight for justice. She said Ebby always stood up for what was right, and now she is doing the same on her daughter’s behalf.

“I believe there is a hero out there. We may never know who they are, or they may never want anyone to know. But someone will step up. I truly believe more than one person knows what happened,” Jernigan said.

Jernigan remains confident that justice will come, and she says she now feels renewed hope. The family recently launched a social media campaign to raise awareness and correct misinformation. Working with true crime producer Michael Mazzella, they created new pages on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok to provide accurate updates about the case.

Their page, “Justice for Ebby Jane,” already has hundreds of followers and continues to grow.

Arkansas still wants answers.

Anyone with information is urged to send anonymous tips or helpful details to ebbytips@gmail.com.