Katelyn Markham was reported missing Sunday, August 14, 2011, by her fiancé, John Carter. Markham was a 21-year-old art student who lived in Fairfield, Ohio, and also worked two jobs in addition to her studies. Carter reported he last saw Katelyn around 11:00 p.m. the night of August 13 and that he received a text from her later on, at 1:00 a.m.
The next day, a seemingly concerned John Carter called his future father-in-law, David Markham, and told him he couldn’t find his fiancé. Mr. Markham quickly sprang into action, and was met by Fairfield Police Detective Rebecca Irvin at Katelyn’s Dorshire Drive apartment.
Once at the home, authorities discovered no evidence whatsoever of forced entry. Katelyn’s purse still sat undisturbed in her bedroom and curiously, her car was still parked just outside, but no Katelyn. They then deduced there was something missing: her cell phone and her dog.
Over the next few weeks, multiple volunteer groups mounted searches in several areas looking for Katelyn, but with no results. Mr. Carter reportedly passed a polygraph exam.
Carter was asked during the 911 call if he had recently argued with Katelyn. He indicated that he had not. Katelyn’s best friend, Michelle Fiest, however, insists that Katelyn and John had an extremely heated disagreement just two days earlier. She said the argument was so upsetting that it caused Katelyn to leave a church event early.
Almost two years later, on April 10, 2013, skeletal remains were found in rural Indiana, over 30 miles from Katelyn’s Fairfield home. A local resident found the remains while sifting through garbage at a nearby dumpsite. To the dismay of family and friends, the remains were identified as Markham’s. Due to the advanced deterioration of her body, a cause of death could not be determined.
Her family, as well as police, are still seeking information. A reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Markham’s killer has grown to $100,000. Any individual with information related to Katelyn’s disappearance should contact the Fairfield Police Department at 513-829-8201.
[Feature Photo by Fairfield Police Department]
