Connected By Fate

by LaDonna Humphrey

We Know Who Did it.
We Know His Name. Connected by Fate unfolds against the haunting backdrop of the Ozark National Forest, where the unresolved murder of Melissa Witt has cast a long shadow over the dense woodlands for almost three decades. The mystery, woven into the fabric of the remote mountaintop, has become a part of the lore of the land, with the true identity of the murderer eluding capture, concealed by the forest's imposing presence.

Enter LaDonna Humphrey, driven by a profound sense of justice and a personal commitment to uncovering the truth, despite never having met Melissa Witt. LaDonna's connection to the case transcends the ordinary, fueling her with a relentless determination that has defined her life for almost a decade.

LaDonna's investigation is a riveting narrative of courage, resilience, and an unwavering pursuit of truth in the face of overwhelming odds. Each breakthrough and setback, each clue unearthed and lead followed, draws her deeper into a web of intrigue that extends far beyond the initial crime.

Connected by Fate is more than a true crime story; it's a testament to the power of human spirit and determination fueled by the knowledge that solving Melissa's murder is not just about bringing a killer to justice—it's about restoring dignity to a life cut tragically short, and offering closure to a community haunted by the specter of an unsolved crime.

Genres: Crime, True Crime

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2024

About the author

LaDonna Humphrey is an award-winning writer, podcaster, documentarian, investigative journalist, and an advocate for victims of crime.

Her passions include advocating for missing adults, crime victims, children in foster care, and for women in recovery.

LaDonna is the Executive Director of Oasis of Northwest Arkansas, the co-founder of All the Lost Girls and True Crime Fest, and the co-host of the Deep Dark Secrets Podcast and the Extinguished Podcast.

LaDonna and her husband Danny live in Northwest Arkansas.

Reviews

[Paige · Rating 2 out of 5]

While certainly interesting and engaging, this fell too much into the true crime brain trap for me. The book becomes much more about the author than Melissa, or her family, or even details of the case. There's a fine line between a noble fight for justice and inserting yourself to the point of being intrusive and I think this crosses it, unfortunately. There are whole chapters that are not particularly related to the case. It's like it starts off very focused on Melissa's murder but then starts to wander off after a few chapters. There's something uncomfortable about how the author describes young female murder victims, emphasizing their potential and "innocence." It just plays into narratives around who deserves sympathy or not. There is a moment where the author is criticized by someone from the wider circle of friends and family of Melissa, who accuses her of making the case a "circus," and the author basically dismisses this immediately without any introspection. The afterword is bizarre, and while I don't doubt the events Humphrey describes happened, it's kind of shocking she thinks a private YouTube link is a secure way to control access to video footage. I don't know why she would write and admit that out loud and think it's vindicating. Finally, what irritated me the most was the use of pseudoscience that so much true crime often references as evidence. She literally uses hypnosis as a proof point. She mentions that people who undergo hypnosis can insert false memories as a "downside" to the process. That's not a "downside," that's completely disqualifying and makes it not credible! Plus, from what I could tell, the hypnosis didn't provide new information. The witness came forward and said the attacker's name started with a "D." She undergoes hypnosis and... confirms she heard a name that started with a "D." This is somehow presented as a breakthrough.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

This actually is No. 3 in LaDonna Humphrey's attempt to solve the almost 30 year old murder of Melissa Witt. Strangled, the second in the series apparently now has been pulled by the publisher with no explanation. That book was bizarre, and really didn't have a Melissa Witt connection, what with Humphrey and her co-author going off on a tangent involving the Dark Web and videos shot to order for a variety of fetishes and re-enactments supposedly of unsolved crimes, including the Mickey Mouse watch never recovered in the Witt investigation.
In Connected By Fate, LaDonna Humphrey focuses on who she believes is the actual killer - a man she only identifies as D. Anyone who has a connection to this case can figure out she's talking about a Russellville, Arkansas, college student who was dating Melissa Witt at the time. Investigators have proved D has a solid alibi for the night Missy Witt was abducted from Bowling World in Fort Smith - what with being in Russellville, Arkansas, for a parade and some 90 miles away from Fort Smith. Plus, Melissa Witt was abducted on December 1, 1994, and her lifeless body found 44 days later a county away. Investigators believe she was killed in the national forest so how could a college student keep her hostage without others wondering where he was? Yet, LaDonna Humphrey is convinced he's the guy. "We are very confident that we know who killed Melissa, which is a huge place to be," Humphrey recently told The U.S. Sun, the U.S. edition of the British tabloid.
LaDonna Humphrey also seems to be building her own alibi against solid proof that she took case materials from the file when she was given access to the Melissa Witt investigation. Chief among these is the VHS tape documenting the Franklin County, Arkansas, death scene. LaDonna Humphrey took this tape, had it digitized and posted it on YouTube. Why she did it is beyond understanding, but the Fort Smith Police were alerted and moved to recover it from the World Wide Web. Now, LaDonna Humphrey says the lies about her taking stuff from the criminal investigation file have been perpetuated by a former colleague who is out to get her. She claims in an afterward to having the approval of the "highest echelon" of the Fort Smith Police Department to try new techniques - i.e. having a digital version available for investigators to review in the comfort of their homes.
All of these actions, should they come to light, may in fact do the opposite of what LaDonna Humphrey claims to want - solve the case after all these years.

I bought my own copy of this book and the two previous books. My review reflects my views and my opinions and not any other individual, nonprofit organization or private business.

[Andy Allord · Rating 4 out of 5]

LaDonna Humphrey delivers the third installment of her efforts to find and bring to justice those guilty of the murder of Melissa Witt.

What started with The Girl I Never Knew, moved to Strangled and now Connected by Fate shows growth as a writer and one investigating this horrific crime that remains unsolved today.

LaDonna gives more story to those who aided and guided her on her journey.

Connected by Fate seems more of an unfinished conclusion than the end. Conclusion appears to be for LaDonna as she and her team move to work another unsolved murder, leaving the Melissa Witt story with we know who you are, we know your name. Personally that did not sit quite right for me. Yes, they have a major suspect, they have some back history pointing to this person and they know his name; but if they had evidence, they would have the crime solved.

The story is kind of a bitter sweet ending, changing course to another unsolved murder of a teenage girl. I felt LaDonna feels unresolved in the Melissa Witt case. Resolved enough only time will bring evidence to charge and convict, a time there is not a lot more anyone can do on the investigation other than wait for evidence.

Both the book and LaDonna's other things she created along the Melissa Witt story is a testament to dedication and a desire to aid those who's stories are long forgotten.

I highly suggest Connected by Fate and even more highly suggest reading all of them in order, starting with The Girl I Never Knew, then Strangled and concluding with this book. Combined they not only accomplish a great feat in taking the Melissa Witt case to this point, you will be left with a lasting story of not only Melissa Witt, but that of LaDonna and her team; and that in any situation of those forgotten is priceless.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Betsy Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all 3 books in this series about the Melissa Witt case and this one is my favorite. Ladonna finally is able to start giving an identity to the killer. In fact she contacts this person who decides she has started getting too close to proving that he’s the one. She has dedicated many years of her life to getting justice for Melissa and through her work on this case, she has found a true passion for justice for other cases as well. She mentions other cases that she has researched, some which are also unsolved. I am looking forward to seeing this evil monster caught and finally getting what he deserves, it’s just a matter of time.

[Barb Hegreberg · Rating 1 out of 5]

True crime is one of my favorite genres. Sadly, this book just didn't hold my interest.

[Kathleen Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Investigative Journalism, Memoir, And Biography at Its Best
Connected By Fate by LaDonna Humphrey, is the unresolved murder of Melissa Witt which has cast a long shadow over the dense woodlands in the Ozark National Forest for almost three decades. Melisa was on her way to visit her mum at a bowling alley in 1995 when she was brutely attacked in the car park abducted and murdered. Melissa was only 19 years old when her life was taken.
This book is a true crime book at its best, with investigative journalism, memoir, and biography all rolled into one. LaDonna writing is clear and methodically as she lays out the facts, and her writing makes you feel like you are working the case with her.
The commitment and dedication shown through this book as LaDonna Humphrey works so hard to inform every one of the countless people who have spent time tracking leads and thousands of interviews which have been done or followed up on to try to find Melissa's killer.
LaDonna Humphrey’s has dedicated her life to finding the killer of Melissa Witt and this is an update on what has been happening since her last book Strangled and the determination fuelled by the knowledge that solving Melissa's murder will not only restore dignity to a life cut tragically short but offer closure to a community haunted by this case.
It was remarkably interesting reading about the suspects, the confessions and people who were and are a part of the investigation. You Know Who Did it. You Know His Name. I truly hope Melissas killer is caught, and justice is served very soon. I am sure one day that this case will finally be solved, and we will know his name as well. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Madalyn Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 ⭐️ with an overwhelming amount of first hand accounts and shocking evidence, I believe the author accomplished her goal of introducing the number one suspect whom we’ve all been waiting for.

Although the book was very captivating for the majority of the read, I think it was drawn out towards the end. Some of the content wasn’t necessary, such as, past and current detectives received their own chapters. The author provided a very lengthy bio in each of these chapters. I honestly skimmed over the majority of this info.

Overall, great and informative read covering the Witt case. I truly hope she receives justice!

[k mandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far, far too much about the author, not enough about the event(s). The writing jumped back and forth and this detracted from the timeline. I love the true crime genre but this book was not enjoyable. I ended up skimming a lot just to get through it. The formatting was quite difficult because the font was extremely small and there was no adjustment function with this format. Now this was certainly not a content issue but it added to the struggle in reading.

[Carolyn Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal book - my favorite in the series. I was lucky enough to receive an Advanced Reader's Copy and I am blown away! Fantastic writing and a spell-binding story. I absolutely loved this book and the passion LaDonna has to find justice for Melissa. This is a great true crime read!

[DIANE CRUZ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't even finish it! It seemed like a concept of a plan to write a book. Sorry, published before it was fully developed. I learned very little about the victim or her family and friends. They seemed to know who the killer is but won't tell anything about this death. They won't tell his name so all we got were his bad acts previously. Maybe others got something out of this book but, I sure didn't.

[Kelly Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done

This book was both well written and well edited. An easy read but not much new information. I think it was written to keep Melissa's name out in the world. I hope that some day her murder solved.

[Margaret Crampton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book interesting to start with as it described the crime of Melissa Witt’s abduction and murder, but the second half I found repetitive and a bit tedious I’m afraid. Hence 3 stars

[Kori Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a chilling true crime book. It is very well written and hard to put down. I didn’t realize it was book two, so I’m eagerly awaiting on book one to arrive.