FFK Blog Fehmeeda Farid Khan Blog for Unsolved Miseries
Kelle Ann Workman disappeared in the afternoon of Friday, June 30, 1989 while mowing the cemetery at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Dogwood, Missouri. Her body was discovered about 10 miles from the cemetery, and her death was ruled as a homicide. Here is an excellent writeup from this sub in 2021 for more details.
Today Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase announced the arrest of three suspects on charges of forcible rape, kidnapping and first-degree murder: Bobby Lee Banks, Leonard Banks, and Wiley Belt. They have been suspects since Kelle’s death.
Text of article for those who might not be able to read it:
AVA, Mo. (KY3) – Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase announced the arrests of three men in the death of a woman in 1989.
Authorities say Kelle Ann Workman was abducted in Douglas County. The body was later found in Christian County. She was 25-years-old.
Bobby Lee Banks, Leonard Banks, and Wiley Belt face charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and forcible rape. Deputies arrested all three of the men. Investigators say all have been suspects in the case since Workman’s death.
Investigators say an eyewitness came forward, giving them the evidence needed to take this case to a grand jury. Prosecutors say they have numerous witnesses who will also testify once the trials begin.
Investigators say Workman disappeared while mowing the grounds of a cemetery in Dogwood on State Route 14 in Douglas County. Her parents discovered the mower abandoned in a church parking lot. She had left her keys in the ignition of her car. Authorities found her decomposed body eight days later, ten miles away from the church.
The family told Sheriff Degase they never expected this day to come. They told him they were relieved regarding the outcome and closure. The family released this statement to KY3 News.
“At this time, the family would like to extend its profound thanks to all who played a part in the investigation, location, and ultimate apprehension of these suspects. They include the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, which were at the heart of the location, surveillance, and timely apprehension of the three in question. To any and all other law enforcement who had a hand in or supported these efforts, you also have the family’s gratitude. Also, a heartfelt and profound thanks go out to the two cold case investigators, Leslie Albrecht and Chris Holland, who were able to find embers under a cold pile of ashes and them to glow again in a way that ultimately led to the results we have today. The two years’ worth of dogged and unrelated digging on their part are most appreciated. We cannot overstate how much we owe all of you, not only for the results that are heading toward the application for justice for Kelle but also for providing a salve for an emotional wound that has been festering for the better part of 35 years. JUSTICE FOR KELLE.”
I hope that Kelle will finally get some justice, and her family can have some measure of peace. Thanks for reading!
Kelle Ann Workman disappeared in the afternoon of Friday, June 30, 1989 while mowing the cemetery at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Dogwood, Missouri. Her body was discovered about 10 miles from the cemetery, and her death was ruled as a homicide. Here is an excellent writeup from this sub in 2021 for more details.
Today Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase announced the arrest of three suspects on charges of forcible rape, kidnapping and first-degree murder: Bobby Lee Banks, Leonard Banks, and Wiley Belt. They have been suspects since Kelle’s death.
Text of article for those who might not be able to read it:
AVA, Mo. (KY3) – Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase announced the arrests of three men in the death of a woman in 1989.
Authorities say Kelle Ann Workman was abducted in Douglas County. The body was later found in Christian County. She was 25-years-old.
Bobby Lee Banks, Leonard Banks, and Wiley Belt face charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and forcible rape. Deputies arrested all three of the men. Investigators say all have been suspects in the case since Workman’s death.
Investigators say an eyewitness came forward, giving them the evidence needed to take this case to a grand jury. Prosecutors say they have numerous witnesses who will also testify once the trials begin.
Investigators say Workman disappeared while mowing the grounds of a cemetery in Dogwood on State Route 14 in Douglas County. Her parents discovered the mower abandoned in a church parking lot. She had left her keys in the ignition of her car. Authorities found her decomposed body eight days later, ten miles away from the church.
The family told Sheriff Degase they never expected this day to come. They told him they were relieved regarding the outcome and closure. The family released this statement to KY3 News.
“At this time, the family would like to extend its profound thanks to all who played a part in the investigation, location, and ultimate apprehension of these suspects. They include the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, which were at the heart of the location, surveillance, and timely apprehension of the three in question. To any and all other law enforcement who had a hand in or supported these efforts, you also have the family’s gratitude. Also, a heartfelt and profound thanks go out to the two cold case investigators, Leslie Albrecht and Chris Holland, who were able to find embers under a cold pile of ashes and them to glow again in a way that ultimately led to the results we have today. The two years’ worth of dogged and unrelated digging on their part are most appreciated. We cannot overstate how much we owe all of you, not only for the results that are heading toward the application for justice for Kelle but also for providing a salve for an emotional wound that has been festering for the better part of 35 years. JUSTICE FOR KELLE.”
I hope that Kelle will finally get some justice, and her family can have some measure of peace. Thanks for reading!Kelle Ann Workman disappeared in the afternoon of Friday, June 30, 1989 while mowing the cemetery at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Dogwood, Missouri. Her body was discovered about 10 miles from the cemetery, and her death was ruled as a homicide. Here is an excellent writeup from this sub in 2021 for more details.
Today Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase announced the arrest of three suspects on charges of forcible rape, kidnapping and first-degree murder: Bobby Lee Banks, Leonard Banks, and Wiley Belt. They have been suspects since Kelle’s death.
Text of article for those who might not be able to read it:
AVA, Mo. (KY3) – Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase announced the arrests of three men in the death of a woman in 1989.Authorities say Kelle Ann Workman was abducted in Douglas County. The body was later found in Christian County. She was 25-years-old.Bobby Lee Banks, Leonard Banks, and Wiley Belt face charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and forcible rape. Deputies arrested all three of the men. Investigators say all have been suspects in the case since Workman’s death.Investigators say an eyewitness came forward, giving them the evidence needed to take this case to a grand jury. Prosecutors say they have numerous witnesses who will also testify once the trials begin.Investigators say Workman disappeared while mowing the grounds of a cemetery in Dogwood on State Route 14 in Douglas County. Her parents discovered the mower abandoned in a church parking lot. She had left her keys in the ignition of her car. Authorities found her decomposed body eight days later, ten miles away from the church.The family told Sheriff Degase they never expected this day to come. They told him they were relieved regarding the outcome and closure. The family released this statement to KY3 News.“At this time, the family would like to extend its profound thanks to all who played a part in the investigation, location, and ultimate apprehension of these suspects. They include the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office, which were at the heart of the location, surveillance, and timely apprehension of the three in question. To any and all other law enforcement who had a hand in or supported these efforts, you also have the family’s gratitude. Also, a heartfelt and profound thanks go out to the two cold case investigators, Leslie Albrecht and Chris Holland, who were able to find embers under a cold pile of ashes and them to glow again in a way that ultimately led to the results we have today. The two years’ worth of dogged and unrelated digging on their part are most appreciated. We cannot overstate how much we owe all of you, not only for the results that are heading toward the application for justice for Kelle but also for providing a salve for an emotional wound that has been festering for the better part of 35 years. JUSTICE FOR KELLE.”
I hope that Kelle will finally get some justice, and her family can have some measure of peace. Thanks for reading!
