Timeline of events on Markham’s disappearance
Aug. 13, between 11 and 11:30 p.m.: Carter leaves Markham’s Dorshire Drive townhouse
Aug. 14, 12:45 a.m.: Markham’s cell phone turned off
Aug. 14, 12:52 a.m.: Carter received photo text message from Markham
Aug. 14, 7:59 p.m.: Missing Person’s police report filed
Aug. 25: Carter appears on CNN’s Nancy Grace
Aug. 29: Carter appears second time on CNN’s Nancy Grace
Sept. 1: Texas EquuSearch begins searching for Markham
FAIRFIELD — The fiance of a local woman who has been missing since Aug. 14 has changed his story about taking and passing a polygraph test.
When John Carter appeared on Nancy Grace’s CNN show Aug. 25, he said he took and passed a polygraph test concerning the disappearance of Katelyn Markham.
But when Carter appeared again on the show Wednesday evening, he said he had not taken one, but he would if he was asked.
Police have declined to comment, saying they aren’t discussing details of the investigation. Carter did not return a call for comment Thursday.
The cell phone tower that Markham’s phone last “pinged,” or received a signal from, has also been determined, said Fairfield police Lt. Kevin Haddix.
He said police aren’t discussing the location of that tower. Markham’s cell phone was turned off at 12:45 a.m. the day she was reported missing.
Investigators have said they don’t know of another case as baffling as this one.
On Thursday, more than 140 volunteers were at 40 sites throughout the area, looking for any evidence that might give a clue as to what happened to Markham.
“I’m grateful,” said Dave Markham, Katelyn’s father.
Texas EquuSearch, the search and recovery non-profit, traveled to Fairfield on Tuesday, scouted the area Wednesday and organized the search for Thursday. Around noon, 142 people had signed in to help with the search, said founder and director Tim Miller.
Thursday’s search was “a process of elimination,” Miller said. Although Markham was not located, he said it’s important for volunteers to know their efforts weren’t without success.
“At the end of the day, if we don’t have her located, then we know where she’s not at,” he said.
Miller said searches were conducted within a six-mile-plus radius of Markham’s Dorshire Drive townhouse. Searchers found a few “things of interest” that will need to be researched, but Miller declined to say what those items were.
Want to help?
The next big search is scheduled for Saturday. Volunteers must be at least 18 and have a photo identification.
They are asked to check in at the Texas EquuSearch’s local headquarters at Fairfield West Baptist Church, 5345 Muskopf Road. Long pants and good walking shoes are recommended.
Miller wouldn’t comment on what areas would be searched Saturday, saying if a radius is published and if Markham isn’t alive, a possible perpetrator may move her body outside of that radius.
A smaller search will be conducted today, where some areas will be looked at again, he said, but Thursday’s volunteer turnout isn’t needed.
With the required resources and volunteers, he said all that’s needed to find Katelyn Markham “is a little bit of luck.”
For Dave Markham, some days are better than others, but he said he’s happy with the efforts of the police department, and especially thankful for the community’s response.
“The community is concerned. The community is just rallying behind it. It’s comforting, soothing.”
Markham was reported missing Aug. 14 by Carter and her father. Police say there are no signs of foul play, but no reasonable explanation as to what could have led to her disappearance.
Reward offered
A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Markham. Call Fairfield police at (513) 829-8201 or CrimeStoppers at (513) 352-3040.
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