I noticed that the Feb 13 Ozark Edition of the Dothan Eagle had the front page headline: "Four Murders in Dale County still unsolved", the writer, Ebony Horton went on to indicate three unsolved murders but no mention of JB and Tracie. This was information from the Dale County Sheriff Department's Chief Deputy, Tim McDonald. I can't believe that those two murders were omitted! It is, in my opinion, especially hurtful to us at this forum who at one time made this the top topic for many months. Does this indicate that the Sheriff's Dept does not recognize the JB and Tracie case still open and worthy of mention or was it an honest omission by the Eagle writer and/or Editor?

What were the unsolved murders??? I went back to find the article you mentioned but only saw one that said that court tv was coming to bring psychics in to work on the case....is Angelas murder one of those that were mentioned? and Yes I said MURDER because I TRULY believe it was murder.

I am so glad to see that JB and Tracie are not forgotten. I think of them everyday. I would like to let the public know that it is my belief that Ozark has not investigated this case to the fullest. Since the murders were near me and there was someone I knew that I suspected I finally was able to get Henderson to give me his time to tell him what I knew. He had just got back from an extended vacation is why I had to wait in the first place. After talking with him for a short while I could tell that he did not take me serious. I tried to follow up with the ABI and they were not interested either. Now whether my information was the key or was not I think I should have been taken more serious. In the beginning I spoke with Ben Key he is the one that said that I should definately talk with an investigator. Now I can say that I did what I had to do. So I live with the fact that my information was not valid enough to be explored by Ozark but I am still haunted by it, and wonder did they handle the whole investigation like this.

Check today's Eagle. They're bringing in psychics (court tv) to further explore the case. Sounds like good news.

Click here.


Court TV series to feature murdered Ozark teens
Ebony Horton
ehorton@dothaneagle.com
Thursday, February 15, 2007

OZARK - An editorial titled, "The Tragedy Remains," is between several plaques of achievements hanging neatly on the wall of Police Chief Tony Spivey’s office.

The editorial was about the only arrest the Ozark Police Department has made for the murders of Dothan teenagers Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley, who were found dead in the trunk of Beasley’s vehicle, abandoned on an Ozark street on Aug. 1, 1999.

The suspect was later released based on a grand jury citing lack of evidence. The killer or killers of the two Northview High School seniors have never been found.

The teenagers’ story has aired on America’s Most Wanted and been printed in several national publications.

And with another ray of national spotlight, Spivey hopes more information will surface that could give both the families - and the police department - closure.

Paranormal experts starring in "Haunting Evidence" on Court TV will come to Ozark at the end of February and the beginning of March to investigate the murders, Spivey said.

The episode is expected to air on the show next fall. The experts are often called "psychics."

"We want this to be at the forefront of everyone’s mind. There is someone, somewhere - may not be in the Wiregrass, may be out of state or close by - that has some valuable information," Spivey said.

"Somebody has the key to the answers we need … and they can’t come fast enough. We’ve not had a homicide case go this long without being solved."

Spivey said Court TV contacted him six to eight months ago for a brief overview of the cases. Station representatives then discussed the information with the Haunting Evidence production staff, which agreed to film in Ozark.

The department has used psychics before, Spivey said, but he was willing to do whatever necessary as many times as possible to get the case solved.

Investigators have revisited the case at least once a day to either comb through evidence, decipher rumors from actual leads, or follow similar cases throughout the country in hopes of a link. Their prayers are that they and the families could get closer to an answer of not only who, but why.

"This case is very solvable. I have no doubt in my mind that it’s going to be solved," Spivey said.

"Anytime you get a fresh set of eyes to look at any type of homicide, you’re making progress."

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Hello All,
I posted the same thing in topic on here,sorry,didnt see this post.
I havent ever forgot these two young victims,think of them like Rose does.
Rose,I too believe something just wasnt right in the investigation.Rose,if you believe in your heart you have any information,and you feel it was overlooked,tell some other law inforcement,
tell someone that will listen and look into it.Go public,news,tv shows,national.
I know how you must feel.
I miss Pats web page with all the info on JB and Tracy.He kept it on the front page till the end.
Rose,theres alot of people that wont forget these young girls.
I do hope with all my heart that Wally Olson will reopen the case of JB and Tracie.

I can not believe they are going to bring psychic's in! When I think about psychics, I remember what happened to Saul in the Old Testament. I haven't forgot about the two girls and I hope and pray that their murderer (s) will be captured and punished.

I think of these girls often too.  I still believe it is or was someone with big connections.   Also, about the sherrif's dept. role.  I may be wrong, but I believe this is a city investigation and they do not appreciate much help from the county.  Like I said this is my understanding from other sources, so please don't bash my post. 

at this point the city needs all the help they can get on this case....S.O., ABI, psychics, whatever. Whoever killed these girls- be they dead or alive- needs to own what they did and be punished if they are still alive. i know some people don't believe in psychics but a lot of people do and there has been lots of cases that psychics have assisted in and helped. so whatever it takes.....i'm all for it!!

Alabama Girl you are right, that murder was and still is a city investigation. The bodies were found inside the city limits. I am not sure if the murder scene was as I do not really believe they truly know where the scene was. The county would only get involved at the request of the city.

That's right Caroleena, everyone in any law enforcement office or job always needs a little extra "help" from everyone. Still taking calls on any leads that ANYONE may have, no matter how small or large a detail or information is we need to hear it. I don't know everyone is getting the idea that the SO isn't or hasn't worked this case. They have a file just as OPD does. As some people prefer to call the SO sometimes and sometimes the OPD with info..........Thanks Caroleena.

Many private investigators have worked this case over the years. This case is a cover up. Evidence has been destroyed and surpressed. Johnny Barrentine was arrested because he gave facts that only known to someone who was involved with the crime. He was used as a pawn by two others, one dead and the other still living.

You are on the right track. One involved DID have family connections. Three are still alive. The OPD, DCSO and API know who did it. I'm writting a book based on the murders, but have to modify some things to make it fiction to avoid lawsuits. I have an attorney assisting with what I need to do. It will be close enough to what happened for everyone familiar with the case to figure out the truth.

What about criminal profilers? Have they brought any of those in?

Did anyone notice the Dothan Eagle today. On the Opinion page is an article. I thought I read somewhere that one of the girls parents have hired a private investigator. Has anyone else heard about this and would anyone know who it is.

I believe that if and when this case is solved there will be a LOT more than meets the eye. i'd heard through the grapevine that there was a soil/ sand sample found on the girls that pointed to the actualy place of the crime which was around an area called sandy creek. we hear so much but let me assure you that there have been lots of leaks from officials that are likely pieces of the truth. can't wait for that episode of haunting evidence

Unsolved Ozark Murders Remembered

Aug 23, 2005 10:37 PM CDT


A friend brought a drawing of Tracie and J.B. to Sunday's memorial.



The two girls were found in the trunk of a car in August, 1999.





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"For seventeen years, I had a beautiful, lovely daughter that God gave me and, then, in one night somebody decided they had the right to take her away from me."

Six years to the day, the mystery lingers on the edge of Herring Avenue: Who killed Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley?

Tracie Hawlett's stepfather, Mike Roberts, says, "Unless somebody has [gone] through this themselves, they'll never know what it's like to lose a child."

August 1, 1999, investigators found Beasley's car parked on the side of this road and later discovered the two girls bodies in the trunk. Both were killed execution style.

The secret of what really happened that night has eluded all who want closure. Tracie's mother, Carol Roberts, still recalls the last words she shared with her daughter.

Carol Roberts says, "[Tracie] called me about 11:35 and said, 'Mom, we're lost. We've got directions and we're on our way home.' Nothing was wrong. We always told each other, 'I love you.' At the end of the conversation, she said, 'Mom, I love you,' and she never came home."

Today, many in this group would be celebrating J.B.'s twenty-third birthday. Instead, a memorial. It's an irony not lost on those who remember the two friends and light candles so others too will not forget.

"I promised Tracie when she was laying in that casket that if it took my last breath, I'm going to do all I can to find who did it. That was my promise to her and i aim to keep that promise."

In just the past few weeks, family members say they've gotten several new leads in the case and they're optimistic that, even after six years, it can still be solved.

Tracie's parents have hired a retired police chief who has experience dealing with cold cases. He's already identified three possible suspects.

The victim's families are asking Ozark police and the Dale County Sheriff's Office to cooperate with the private investigation.

Reporter: Theo Travers

This for PointnLaugh. I would kike very much to ask you this question. How do you know that the OPD,DCSO,and API,know who killed JB. and Tracie?Did someone tell you this?Also,you say "One involved did have family connections,three are still alive" If the OPD,DCSO,and API do know who killed JB and Tracie,why hasnt there been an arrest?Do you feel its a coverup? What I would ask you too do,if you have any information that this is true,and you dont trust local or state law inforcement,you need to contact the Justice Dept,The FBI in Washington.You can tell them what you know,and if you have a lawyer,he himself should know what too do.If what you have said is true,but if its just rumors you have heard,hearsay,it would get very far,but if you have enough to raise eyebrows,it will work,then write your book.I too feel that something isnt right with this horrible crime,have always felt that way,and think that the person or persons that did this are still in Ozark,no proff,just a feeling,and that comes from one main thing that happened after the girls were murdered,and thats where their car was found,they say that they werent killed there.One killer drove the girls car too where it was found,and another person drove that person away.I hope someone that knows anything will please call the FBI.

i don't know that i've heard one hard fact from any official with law enforcement but i have heard some absolutely astounding gossip- i imagine EVEryone has.

I've been a reader here for years but had nothing to say before today. Reading about the psychics coming in leads me to one burning question: Unless I've been grossly misinformed around my town, why have not the issues with the officer one of the girls was allegedly dating and who subsequently killed himself because he "couldn't live with the guilt anymore" been delved into further?