Post by Scumhunter on Sept 3, 2015 7:53:17 GMT -5
(Above photo credit: unsolvedmurdersqcarea.org)
The murder of 46-year old mother Jone Knapton was a web-exclusive case on AMW's old website. Below is the archived description of the case:
Woman Disappears, No Clues Left Behind
Jone Knapton went out to dinner with friends on the night of July 3, 2003. That is the last time her friends saw her alive.
The 46-year-old computer programmer and mother told her friends that she would be working all weekend on a big computer project at her home in East Moline, Illinois. But when a coworker stopped by Jone's house on July 5, Jone was nowhere to be found. Her laptop computer, purse and cell phone were missing from the house and there were no signs of foul play.
Jone was officially reported missing on July 6 and police began their search. Four days later, East Moline residents were shocked by a gruesome discovery.
Case Changes from Missing to Murder
On July 10, an investigator with the Illinois State Police was taking an unusual field trip with his teenage daughter. Because the young woman was interested in pursuing a career in forensic pathology, the father and daughter had gone to Rockford, Illinois to observe an autopsy. On the way home, the daughter was looking out the car window as her father crossed a bridge over the Green River. That's when she spotted a horrific sight and her father stopped the car.
The girl and her father spotted what appeared to be a human body floating down the river and immediately called for police assistance. Police used a helicopter to conduct an aerial search of the river and found a human torso near Geneseo, IL. Investigators continued to search the river and its banks, but did not find additional body parts.
After three weeks, DNA tests were finally complete. The coroner announced that the partial body found in the river was indeed Jone Knapton. Police were now investigating a murder.
Police Need Information From The Public
Jone's friends and family have rallied to raise $35,000 for information that leads to the arrest of Jone's killer. But police have had few leads and little evidence to help them solve the case.
Before I get to asking for thoughts a few more notes:
-In August of 2003, the daughter of Jone and Larry filed a restraining order against her father claiming he was a primary suspect in her mother’s death. Hartford Insurance Co. in 2006 filed a federal lawsuit naming Larry Knapton and the couple’s daughter as defendants. It asked the court to decide who should receive the life insurance benefits since Larry M. Knapton remained a suspect in the homicide of the decedent. Larry Knapton received the benefits because he has never been criminally charged. Family and friends of Jone’s worked to stymie Larry receiving Jone’s 401(k) until he was cleared as a suspect. Friends and family were still upset that that Larry had received $10,000 in burial fees that he never used to pay for his wife’s funeral arrangements. $40,000 has been raised for information that leads to an arrest.
-In 2005, Larry was arrested and charged with six counts of child pornography
-There was a small update in 2014 in which Illinois State Police announced they were renewing attention on Jone's case.
Anyway, what are everyone's thoughts? First off, I understand Larry is technically innocent and hasn't been charged in a crime, and just because someone is a horrible person doesn't mean they are guilty of a particular crime. However, I think it has been proven at the very least Larry Knapton, as the True Crime Diva blog put it, is capable of hideous illegal activities. I also find it incredibly suspicious he didn't use the $10,000 to pay for his wife's funeral expenses. Larry may be technically innocent, but I'm also allowed to state my opinion. And in my opinion, something seems fishy about him.
Admin Note #1: The following are numbers from online articles or websites that you are asked to call if you have information on this case: Illinois State Police M/Sgt. Chris Endress at (309) 752-4928; Quad Cities Crime Stoppers at (309)-762-9500 or Henry County Crime Stoppers at (800) 227-2324.
Admin Note #2: If you have any news-related updates, please contact us at the following link: amwfans.com/thread/1662/website-contact-form
web.archive.org/web/20060210135330/http://www.amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=33492
wqad.com/2014/02/26/state-gives-new-attention-to-two-henry-county-cold-cases/
unsolvedmurdersqcarea.org/id6.html (scroll down or hit control + f to search for Knapton case)
www.isp.state.il.us/crime/unsolveddetails.cfm?ID=50
truecrimediva.com/who-killed-jone-knapton-in-2003/