Dana Stidham: Documentary, Car, Age
The name Dana Stidham is etched into the history of true crime in America—an innocent life taken far too soon under circumstances that remain painful and unsettling even decades later. Dana Stidham was a bright, kind, and popular 18-year-old girl from Bella Vista, Arkansas, whose 1989 disappearance and murder sent shockwaves through her quiet community and beyond. Her case remained cold for many years, spawning public speculation, intense investigative efforts, and even a documentary that sought to bring light to the tragedy.
While Dana’s life was tragically brief, her story has endured because of the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement, her family, and true crime advocates. The investigation into her murder has taken many twists and turns, including the eventual arrest of a suspect years later. But for those who knew her, Dana remains more than just a case file—she was a beloved daughter, a friend, and a young woman with dreams that were cruelly cut short.
Net Worth
Dana Stidham was only 18 years old at the time of her death and did not have a professional career or income. As such, she did not have a recorded net worth. She was a high school graduate preparing to begin the next chapter of her life—likely involving college or career exploration—but her future was tragically stolen.
Any monetary discussions connected to her name are more closely related to the cost of the investigation, legal proceedings, and public media coverage, rather than personal wealth. The emphasis around Dana has always been centered on her memory, the tragedy of her death, and the ongoing efforts to keep her story alive in the public consciousness.
Quick Bio
| Full Name | Dana Stidham |
|---|---|
| Birth Year | 1971 |
| Age at Death | 18 years old |
| Date of Disappearance | July 25, 1989 |
| Date of Death | Believed July 25–26, 1989 |
| Hometown | Bella Vista, Arkansas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Victim in a high-profile murder case |
| Education | High school graduate |
| Marital Status | Single (unmarried) |
| Children | None |
Early Life and Background Education
Dana Stidham was born in 1971 and grew up in Bella Vista, Arkansas, a peaceful suburban community in the northwest part of the state. Dana was raised in a loving home and was known for her friendly, helpful, and outgoing personality. Friends and family described her as cheerful, dependable, and deeply caring toward others.
She had just graduated from Gravette High School in 1989 and was preparing for adulthood. Dana was interested in pursuing a career in the medical or social services fields. Her academic performance was strong, and she was considered responsible and mature for her age. She also worked a part-time job at a local Walmart, like many teenagers looking to gain work experience.
Her life seemed full of promise. Those close to Dana describe her as the kind of person who would light up a room and go out of her way to help someone in need. The tragedy that befell her devastated a community that loved her and continues to mourn her decades later.
Age and Physical Appearance
Dana Stidham was 18 years old when she disappeared and was later found murdered. She had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a bright, friendly face. She stood approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and had a slim build.
Photographs from the time show a typical American teenager—youthful, vibrant, and full of life. She was often seen wearing casual 1980s-style clothes and had a style that reflected her generation. Her appearance contributed to the public’s emotional response to her disappearance; she was someone viewers could easily relate to as a daughter, a sister, a classmate.
Her youth and innocence became focal points of the media coverage and community outcry following her disappearance. Dana’s physical description was widely circulated during the initial search efforts and remains embedded in the public’s memory as part of her enduring legacy.
His Father
Dana Stidham’s father was Dennis Stidham, a man who became a central figure in the search for his daughter and the fight for justice afterward. After Dana’s disappearance, Dennis became a vocal and proactive advocate in the investigation, working closely with police and local authorities to find answers.
Dennis’s heartbreak was evident in interviews and public appearances. He participated in numerous media campaigns and memorial events for his daughter. Though devastated, he carried himself with quiet strength and dignity, becoming a symbol of the many parents who live through unimaginable tragedies.
Dennis Stidham passed away in later years, but his dedication to Dana’s memory helped keep her case in the public eye. His commitment remains deeply respected by both the community and true crime researchers.
His Mother
Dana’s mother, Carol Stidham, also played a significant role in keeping her daughter’s memory alive. Like Dennis, Carol endured unimaginable pain but worked hard to keep Dana’s name in conversations around unsolved crimes and justice reform.
Carol has attended memorial services and participated in efforts to support families of other victims of unsolved or long-cold cases. Over the years, she became an advocate not just for Dana but for other young women taken too soon.
Though she kept much of her personal grief private, Carol’s resilience and dignity remain a quiet reminder of a mother’s unbreakable love.
Children
Dana Stidham was only 18 years old at the time of her death and did not have children. Her life was cut short before she could pursue adult goals such as building a family or career. That loss is one of the most tragic aspects of her story—not just the life that was taken, but the life that could have been.
Who Is Dana Stidham?
Dana Stidham is remembered today as a young woman whose life was tragically ended by a brutal and senseless crime. She is one of many cold case victims whose stories have helped bring attention to the need for justice reform, investigative diligence, and public awareness in missing persons cases.
On July 25, 1989, Dana left home to run a quick errand to pick up medication for her father from a local store. She was driving her father’s car—a light blue Dodge Omni. It was the last time she was seen alive. The car was later found abandoned in the woods near Bella Vista, with her personal belongings still inside.
A two-month search ensued until her remains were found on September 16, 1989, in a remote wooded area of the Ozarks. Her body was badly decomposed, but signs of foul play were evident. Despite years of investigation, her case remained cold until a break in 2006.
That year, a suspect named William Lee B.J. McCulloch, a former acquaintance and fellow Arkansas resident, was arrested and charged with Dana’s murder. McCulloch had been a former police dispatcher and had a checkered history. Though the evidence was largely circumstantial, he was eventually brought to trial.
The trial ended in a hung jury in 2010, and the case remains unresolved. McCulloch maintained his innocence, and the prosecution did not move forward with a retrial. As of 2025, Dana’s murder remains technically unsolved, leaving a haunting gap in the quest for full justice.
Current Life
Because Dana Stidham’s life was tragically taken in 1989, there is no current life to discuss in the traditional sense. However, her presence remains strong through ongoing discussions in true crime forums, documentaries, and community efforts in Bella Vista.
Her memory is kept alive by her surviving family, friends, and those who continue to investigate and tell her story. A number of true crime podcasts and YouTube documentaries have revisited Dana’s case, including features on Cold Case Files, Unsolved Mysteries-style online programs, and independent journalists seeking to bring closure.
Local communities continue to honor her with annual memorials and awareness events, often aimed at helping other families affected by violence or unsolved crimes.
Conclusion
Dana Stidham’s life was brief, but her impact endures. She is not just a name in a criminal file—she was a daughter, a friend, and a young woman with aspirations and kindness that touched those around her. The mystery surrounding her death continues to grip the public and stands as a powerful reminder of how quickly innocence can be shattered by violence.
While the investigation into her murder has seen progress, it remains a deeply frustrating example of how the justice system sometimes falls short. Despite the identification and trial of a suspect, there has never been a conviction, leaving many questions unanswered.
Her family has shown incredible strength over the years, pushing for resolution while preserving Dana’s memory in the most respectful and loving way possible. True crime enthusiasts, investigators, and advocates continue to revisit her story, hoping that with modern forensic advances or new witness testimony, a final resolution may still come.
Until that day, Dana Stidham’s story remains not just a mystery—but a call for justice, awareness, and remembrance.
FAQ
1. Who was Dana Stidham?
Dana Stidham was an 18-year-old from Bella Vista, Arkansas, who was murdered in 1989. Her case remains one of Arkansas’s most haunting unsolved crimes.
2. How old was Dana Stidham when she died?
She was 18 years old at the time of her death.
3. What happened to Dana Stidham’s car?
Her car, a light blue Dodge Omni, was found abandoned in a wooded area shortly after her disappearance.
4. Has Dana Stidham’s killer been caught?
A suspect was arrested in 2006, but a 2010 trial ended in a hung jury. The case remains technically unsolved.
