During the 1990’s, the murder of James Dickey sent shockwaves through the peaceful town of Bellingham, Washington State.
The vanishing of Kristy Ohnstad first sparked optimism for her safe return. However, that hope was quickly shattered when her lifeless and disfigured body was found near the tranquil Lake Samish.
The ensuing investigation was characterized by relentless resolve as law enforcement agencies sought answers and pursued justice.
The case garnered national attention, gripping the nation as the search for the perpetrator intensified.
In the end, the hard work of the investigative team paid off, leading them to James Dickey, a man linked to the atrocious crime.
The ensuing trial was closely monitored by the media and the public, seeking closure for the devastated family and a sense of justice for Kristy.
The James Dickey murder case gained significant interest in the captivating true crime series, “Evil Lives Here: Shadows of Death: The Evil Twin.”
This episode showcased the ghastly details of the murder and meticulously documented the subsequent investigation that ultimately led to the capture and prosecution of the offender.
Let’s explore the spine-chilling chronicle of the murder.
The Disappearance of Kristy Ohnstad
Kristy Ohnstad, a 14-year-old girl from Bellingham, Washington State, suffered a tragic fate that shook the community to its core.
Recognized for her cheerful disposition and popularity among friends, Kristy was just like any other teenager, envisioning a bright future.
Regrettably, her life took a horrifying turn when her stepfather, Clark Elmore, who had been residing under the false identity of James Dickey, unleashed his fury upon her.
It all commenced on a fateful Monday morning in 1995 when Kristy missed her school bus. Frustrated, she argued with her Dickey, unveiling a dark secret from her past – he had molested her when she was only five years old.
Threatening to expose him, Kristy found herself confined in a van with her stepfather on a secluded dirt road near Lake Samish.
What ensued was a chilling act of violence. Dickey subjected Kristy to unspeakable horrors, s*xually assaulting her against her pleas and tears.
Consumed by his rage, he strangled her until she lost consciousness. However, the brutality did not cease there.
Dickey took a metal skewer, driving it into her skull. He then utilized her belt and a plastic bag to further extinguish her life, ensuring she would never divulge his crimes.
Eventually, he heartlessly discarded her battered body in the woods, snatching a young life in the cruelest of fashions.
Hours later, when Kristy failed to return home from school, her mother, Sue Ohnstad, hastily reported her daughter missing to the police, instigating a frantic search effort.
As days elapsed, there was no trace of Kristy; thus the community rallied in hopes of a miracle.
However, the truth began to surface when a man named Willie Golightly discovered Kristy’s backpack carelessly discarded into a ditch. Inside was a sweatshirt and a phone number belonging to Sue Ohnstad.
The grim reality took hold as authorities intensified their investigation, interviewing friends and acquaintances in pursuit of leads.
The harrowing discovery occurred on April 21 when law enforcement located a lifeless, partially undressed body close to Lake Samish.
The initial medical examination revealed the savage nature of the crime – Kristy had been brutally struck, her head shattered by a sledgehammer-like object.
DNA evidence confirmed her identity, while an autopsy exposed the harrowing details of her final moments, including rape and strangulation.
Most disturbingly, a metal spike was found protruding from her ear, indicating that her brain was targeted in a twisted act of violence.
Was James Dickey the Murderer of Kristy?
When Kristy Ohnstad went missing, and her body was discovered, suspicion fell on James Dickey, also known as Clark Elmore, who was romantically involved with her mother, Sue Ohnstad, at the time.
It was revealed that he had allegedly abused Kristy since her childhood, and she had intentions of reporting him to the authorities.
Although he initially appeared concerned about Kristy’s disappearance, the police grew suspicious when James visited a citizen named Willie Golightly to retrieve Kristy’s backpack and repeatedly requested it until the police arrived.
Despite searching his van, no evidence linking him to Kristy was found. However, when the police discovered paint specks on Kristy’s body matching the color of one of James’ toolboxes, they issued an arrest warrant, initiating a nationwide manhunt.
Surprisingly, he fled to Oregon after informing Sue that he had errands to run.
During his absence, the police continued their investigation and obtained direct evidence connecting Elmore to the crime.
About six days later, he experienced a change of heart and returned to Bellingham, surrendering to the police. He was subsequently apprehended and charged with Kristy’s murder.
What was Clark Elmore, alias James Dickey accused of?
Throughout the appeals process spanning over two decades, James has never contested his guilt. In a recorded confession, he furnished a detailed account of the killing and subsequent cover-up.
He admitted that he contemplated killing Kristy whenever she reminded him of the s*xual abuse, expressing regret that she had not reported him before the murder.
He was charged with first-degree aggravated murder, a crime carrying the possibility of either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole.
Initially expressing remorse in the media, Elmore opted not to subject Kristy’s family to a trial. He pleaded guilty as charged, knowing that the prosecution would seek the death penalty.
During the James Dickey murder case trial, his defense team, headed by Public Defender Jon Komorowski, presented witnesses, including a defense investigator and three judges who had presided over Elmore’s earlier hearings.
They testified about Elmore’s demeanor in court, describing him as upset and dejected. The prosecution played Elmore’s confession to the jury and presented evidence, such as Elmore’s prior felony record and images of Kristy’s brutally bludgeoned skull during the autopsy.
On May 3, 1996, the jury delivered a verdict, finding no reason to show Elmore leniency. As a result, Elmore became the only person ever sentenced to death in Whatcom County, Washington.
He has since been on death row for an extended period, ranking as the second-longest serving Washingtonian on death row.
The Conviction of James Dickey Murder Case
James Dickey, born as Clark Elmore, entered a guilty plea for aggravated first-degree murder in court, resulting in his death sentence in May 1996.
In spite of his efforts to have his conviction overturned, the majority of his petitions were denied. Elmore exhausted all available legal avenues, leaving him with no recourse but to await his execution.
However, in a turn of events, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee intervened in 2014, issuing a stay on all death sentences in the state.
Governor Inslee cited concerns about the inconsistency of death penalties and the financial burden they placed on states.
As a result, in 2018, Clark Elmore was removed from death row. He remains incarcerated at the Washington State Penitentiary located in Walla Walla, Washington.
