Investigators say only one tip has been received in the week since a new documentary shined a spotlight on one of Butler County’s biggest mysteries.
After the premiere of "Taken Too Soon: The Katelyn Markham Story," Fairfield Police received a tip in the case, according to Officer Doug Day. Unfortunately, it was not a new one.
“There was one (tip) called in after the movie (premiere), but it was one we had already looked into,” Day told the Journal-News.
The documentary was shown Aug. 16 to a packed theater in Springdale.
It gave viewers a look at the 22-year-old art student's life before she went missing from her Fairfield home in 2011. Markham's remains were found three years later in rural Indiana, but her disappearance and death remain unsolved.
Most in attendance told the Journal-News they hoped the film would shake up some tips about the case, something a $100,000 reward has been unable to do.
Butler County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Mike Craft said detectives are “shocked” they have not received more calls or tips since the documentary’s premiere.
“Usually when there is an article or any media about the case, we get calls,” Craft said.
The sheriff's office joined the investigation in December at the request of Markham's father, Dave Markham, who said he was frustrated at the lack of progress in the case by Fairfield police and the Indiana State Police.
Indiana State Police Detective Vance Patton also said his agency has not received any new tips since the documentary’s screening.
“Unfortunately the people who watched were the people involved in the case,” Patton said. “It is going to have to get a larger airing or audience. That is when tips come in.”
Fairfield Police Chief Mike Dickey and Patton were both interviewed for the documentary. All three police agencies said Wednesday they had not yet seen the film.
The film’s producer, Michael Crisp, said he intends to put it on YouTube in the near future so it can reach a larger audience.
