Need to Know: Jonelle Matthews Case
- Jonelle Matthews disappeared on December 20, 1984, from her home in Greeley, Colorado.
- Oil workers discovered her remains in 2019.
- In 2020, Steven Pankey, a former youth pastor, was charged with her murder.
For more than three decades, the mystery of Jonelle Matthews’ disappearance puzzled many. The 12-year-old went missing from her home in Greeley and was not found until her remains were uncovered during a pipeline installation in 2019.
Steven Pankey, a local man with connections to her church, had long been a person of interest in Jonelle’s case, but he was only arrested in 2020. After two trials, he was found guilty of felony murder and kidnapping, receiving a life sentence in prison.
The Greeley Police Department noted that many officers had not forgotten Jonelle over the years, continuing to search for answers about what happened on that tragic evening in 1984. They also launched a renewed investigation into her case in 2015.
Pankey had a strange involvement with the case and displayed suspicious behavior. His ex-wife mentioned in a docuseries that she began gathering evidence against him long before he was arrested.
Who Was Jonelle Matthews?
Jonelle was a vibrant 12-year-old who lived with her family in Greeley. Known for her athletic talents and love of singing, she was adopted at a young age. Her family described her as a caring person who enjoyed creating gifts for friends.
What Happened to Jonelle?
On December 20, 1984, Jonelle vanished after returning home from a school concert. She was alone for just over an hour before her father discovered she was missing. He called the police, who found footprints in the snow that seemed to have been tampered with.
Jonelle’s case gained national attention as one of the first to be featured in a missing children’s campaign. Sadly, ten years later, she was officially declared dead. Her remains were located in 2019, and an autopsy revealed she had been murdered.
Who Is Steven Pankey?
Steven Pankey lived nearby and worked as a youth minister at Jonelle’s church. Before Jonelle’s disappearance, he had faced accusations of sexual assault, and his reputation was questioned. After she went missing, he acted in ways that raised suspicions.
His ex-wife described how Pankey behaved oddly, digging in their yard and being overly interested in the media coverage of Jonelle’s case. Despite these actions, Pankey maintained that he knew nothing about Jonelle until days after her disappearance.
Pankey later moved to Idaho and ran for governor but faced a search warrant at his home after Jonelle’s remains were found.
Charges Against Pankey
In October 2020, Pankey was charged with murder, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. He was accused of taking Jonelle from her home and was aware of the footprints being altered. His first trial resulted in a mistrial, but a second trial led to his conviction.
Where Is Steven Pankey Now?
Currently, Pankey is serving his sentence at the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility in Colorado. He is eligible for parole in 2040. Jonelle’s family continues to speak out against him, emphasizing the impact of his actions on their lives.
