66. The Unsolved Murder of Nona Dirksmeyer - And Still, He Walks Free

In this week's episode, we are headed to Arkansas! In 2005, in the quiet college town of Russellville, AR, 19-year-old Nona Dirksmeyer was found brutally murdered inside her off-campus apartment. A student at Arkansas Tech University, Nona was known for her easygoing nature and close relationships— a talented woman who was crowned beauty pageant queen at Miss Jean Petit. In the earliest moments of the investigation, attention turned quickly to someone close to her—her boyfriend, Kevin Jones. He had been one of the last known people to see her, and his account of what happened raised questions for investigators. After discovering Nona, Kevin’s behavior—emotional, frantic, and, at times, inconsistent—drew intense scrutiny. He was brought in for questioning and interrogated for hours, as investigators worked to reconcile his version of events with the physical scene they were trying to understand. Early on, it seemed as though the case might center around him. But as the investigation continued, what initially appeared straightforward began to fracture. Evidence didn’t align as cleanly as expected. Certain assumptions were challenged. And questions started to surface—not just about what happened inside that apartment, but about whether the investigation itself was heading in the right direction. Kevin may have literal blood on his hand from rushing to Nona's side, but did he really do it? Over time, the case would shift in unexpected ways—introducing new angles, new individuals, and growing controversy over how key pieces of evidence were handled. Years later, the story of Nona Dirksmeyer remains one that lingers—not just because of the violence of that day, but because of everything that followed—and everything that still doesn’t quite fit. And there may be a person currently walking free, that many expect did this, but they can't quite prove it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices