The case of Jonelle Matthews, a 12-year-old girl from Greeley, Colorado, remained unsolved for over thirty years until a shocking discovery was made by construction workers.

Jonelle vanished just days before Christmas in 1984, becoming one of the first children whose face was featured on a milk carton—a method that became a staple in raising awareness about missing children in the U.S.

After nearly four decades of unanswered questions, her remains were uncovered in the summer of 2019, located just 15 miles from her home during a pipeline installation project.

Recently, a two-part Hayu series titled The Girl on the Milk Carton highlighted the courage of Angela Hicks, the ex-wife of Jonelle's murderer, who bravely shared her story of living in fear for two decades before finally reporting her former husband, Steve Pankey.

The tragic timeline began on December 20, 1984, the last confirmed sighting of Jonelle, who was attending a Christmas concert with friends. After being dropped off at home, Jonelle's father returned later that night, only to find his daughter missing.

Jim Matthews recounted that when he arrived home, Jonelle was nowhere to be found, despite clear signs she had been there—the television was on, and her clothing was scattered around.

As years passed without resolution, Angela Hicks eventually grew suspicious of her husband, Steve, who displayed odd behavior and had a peculiar obsession with true crime stories.

Angela recalled how Steve's reactions to news about Jonelle's disappearance raised red flags. One incident involved him standing by a burning car while acting strangely, which left her feeling uneasy.

Angela also described a moment in church when Steve angrily dismissed a pastor's hopeful message regarding Jonelle's return, a reaction that further alarmed her.

After years of silence and fear, Angela finally reported her suspicions about Steve's involvement in Jonelle's case, but her initial claims went unheard for decades.

It wasn't until a cold case detective took interest in Jonelle's disappearance that Angela’s previous warnings were revisited, leading to a renewed investigation that ultimately resulted in the shocking discovery of evidence against Steve Pankey.

In 2022, Pankey was convicted and received a life sentence for Jonelle's murder, nearly four decades after the crime occurred. His claims of innocence did little to sway the jury, particularly in light of the circumstantial evidence against him.

Despite a lack of DNA found on Jonelle, prosecutors pointed to Steve's obsessive behavior as a sign of his guilt. He maintained that he was not in the area at the time of her disappearance, but conflicting accounts from his ex-wife contradicted his story.

Jim Matthews expressed the weight of unresolved questions that had burdened his family for almost forty years, stating that Pankey's obsession with the case had effectively imprisoned him in his own mind.

The Matthews family continues to grapple with the pain of loss, with Gloria Matthews stating, "I cannot forgive him for how he killed Jonelle."

In a bizarre twist, Pankey had previously written a book where he depicted pastors committing heinous acts, leading many to wonder about his mindset and motivations.

Ultimately, the tragic tale of Jonelle Matthews serves as a haunting reminder of the long-lasting impact of unresolved crime, and the bravery of those who seek justice against all odds.

Written by Ellen Coughlan