The Mysterious Disappearance of Leigh Marine Occhi – Part IV

July 30, 2009

Part four of a four-part series - click here to read part III

Today I wrap up the four-part series that began earlier this week on the case of Leigh Marine Occhi, a 13-year-old girl from Tupelo, Miss., who mysteriously disappeared on Aug. 27, 1992. Part one of the series covered Leigh's disappearance and left off with authorities launching a large-scale search to find her. Part two provided information on who Leigh was and her relationship with her father. Part three delved into the police investigation and where it stands today. Now, in part four, we hear from Leigh's mother, boyfriend, and the diligent crime reporter who first covered the case.

According to Leigh's mother, Vickie Felton, formerly Yarborough, the most important thing is that people don't forget about her daughter.

"That is the biggest thing. That's all," she said. "Not to forget about her."

Despite the police department's belief that Leigh was murdered, Vickie said that she is unwilling to give up the hope that her daughter is still alive.

"I am not going to accept anything for sure. I am not going to do that … I have to keep focused on factual things, logical things, not emotional things, or I wouldn't be able to cope very well. I just don't want to do that again."

Vickie said she is well aware of the rumors and speculation regarding her possible involvement in the case; however, she does not let that bother her.

"That has never been a bother to me," she said. "It's never been about me. It's about finding Leigh, and I didn't care and I [still] don't care what anyone says about any of it … I have never not cooperated with anybody because I am not going to not cooperate with anyone because of what they might think. I don't care about that. I want to find my daughter. I am not fazed by what they say. I have thicker skin than that. I am more reasonable than that. If that bothered me, I would not have been able to cope, but that is not the focus and that is not a problem."

According to Vickie, she has her own idea of who is responsible for her daughter's disappearance.

"There is an individual that is currently incarcerated in prison, and he is linked to two missing people in Tupelo," Vickie said. "[It] is quite a coincidence that one person would be linked to two cases … I believe he is the one responsible. I don't have any proof; I just have my feelings."

Vickie said that both she and Leigh knew the individual and that after Leigh went missing, he began acting strange whenever he was around Vickie.

"Things that he did after the disappearance were strange to me, and when I looked him straight in the eye, his avoidance of eye contact was very awkward," she said. "He had never been over to my house [before that], but then he stopped over to bring me a picture of her. When he first did it, I didn't think anything of it. I thought he was just concerned, but then after that, when I found out some of the things that he did to another young girl … it all fit in place pretty much in my mind that he had to have been the one responsible. He has horses, and Leigh had commented that he had asked her when she would want to go riding. She would have jumped at the chance for that. She would never ever open my door to a stranger, and she had to have opened the door. I am 100 percent sure of that."

When asked for her opinion on the investigation into her daughter's disappearance, Vickie had this to say:

"I want to believe that they did everything the best they could. I want to think that. I want to have faith in them … I know they were very diligent. I am trying to believe that everything they did was in the best interest of finding Leigh."

As for the future, Vickie hopes that the person responsible will someday step forward and reveal what happened.

"Hopefully, people will perk up and maybe if <redacted> wasn't involved - if it was someone else - maybe they are older now and maybe they have a conscience now."

Vickie's hope for a resolution is shared by Leigh's former boyfriend, Jordan Morse.

Jordan and Leigh met roughly two years before her disappearance. The time they knew each other might be considered short by some standards; however, according to Jordan, the time they spent together was priceless. The last time Jordan saw Leigh was at her 13th birthday party, which was held at an arcade inside the Tupelo mall.

"She seemed happier at that birthday party than she had on any other day that I knew her," Jordan said. "She looked like she was having a good time; she looked like she was happy, and that is a good memory for me to have. I could tell you exactly what she was wearing – that is how vividly I remember it."

Jordan says that he and Leigh attended different schools. As a result, school started for him one week before her's would go into session. The timing hindered their ability to see each other, so he would call her when he got home to chat about the day's events. August 27, 1992 would prove to be the last time Jordan would call the Yarborough residence.

"I called her house, and her mom picked up the phone," Jordan said. "I asked to speak with Leigh, and she said, 'Sorry Hon. Leigh is missing.' I thought 'missing,' what is 'missing'? I mean, at that point in time, I didn't compute missing. I had never been exposed to anything like it before. Vickie started to cry, and then my mom took the phone. [She and Vickie] spoke for a few minutes, and then my mom tried to explain it, but I didn't quite get it until I saw the news that night, and they talked about blood in the house. That is when I understood something really bad had happened."

Despite the passing of nearly two decades, Jordan says that he still remembers the pain and heartache that he felt back then. Those are emotions that he says he continues to carry with him to this day.

"My world fell apart. My childhood ended," he said. "… a couple days [don't] go by that I don't pass something and it makes me think about her. And there is still no answer. That's the worst of it."

Rick Hammond, a former crime reporter for the Daily Journal, also continues to wonder what happened to Leigh.

"I lived only a few blocks from Leigh's house, and when it came across the scanner that there was a call for a missing person at her house, I beat some of the police there. Gosh, it seems like I wrote about it every day for months. I, frankly, always suspected 10 years later or something that a body would be found and they would figure out it was her. There were a couple of false alarms in the few years after that. They would find a body, and people would wonder if it was her, and it wasn't her. I think she is still out there in the country somewhere in some grave waiting to be found."

Leigh Occhi touched a lot of people in her short life and she continues to do so today. There are a number of possibilities in the case – plenty of maybes and what ifs – but the complete portrait of the crime remains blurred. A lot of blank canvas remains, but with it there is also the hope that the final brush strokes will someday appear so that Leigh Occhi can finally be put to rest.

Leigh Marine Occhi is described as a Caucasian female, 4'10" and 95 lbs. She has blonde hair and hazel eyes. Click here to view an age progressed photo. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tupelo Police Department at 662-841-6491.

Photo Credits: Clippings: Daily Journal; Leigh Occhi (2): Contributed; Tupelo Mall Arcade: Carla Lohr; Daily Journal: Carla Lohr

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission from Discovery Communications. All quotes must include a link back.

Comments

[RJ the Fiction Writer]

I wish you were able to name the individual the mother suspected... but I respect your choice not to. At the very least I was hoping for a hint of your instinct on the subject... but your darn journalistic integrity got in the way of dishing salacious gossip. I'd curse you, but I guess I'll have to settle for respecting you.

As always, my heart goes out to the family. I couldn't imagine living with that kind of loss and heartache.

[michellle]

1st of all what in the world is she doing with a boyfriend @ 13yrs old and i think that her mom still right today had something to do with it because its strange she felled the poly. test 3 times. and her father passed

[lisafer]

About one-third of people in my school & neighborhood had boyfriends/girlfriends in some form or fashion by the age of 13. And that was over 30 years ago! Lighten up, Michelle!

Jordan's story is so sad and touching. Indeed, his childhood died with little Leigh.

[Dean]

strange. What was her mother doing talking to a person who was connected to two other missing persons anyway? Her mother may not have that great of an involvement in the case, but even the slightest bit of information that she's too scared to tell could be very important. Think. What if she had DATED that individual. It could have happened. If she had dated him, Leigh would have also have known them. "...things he had done to another girl...". And if she had not had the individual over before the disapperance of Leigh, he could have stalked Vickie, found out where she lived and knew when she was going to work to invite Leigh to "ride on his horses". She let him in, then it goes downhill from there. And if they WERE dating at the time, the first time the individual may have met Leigh was on her birthday. Gives him a few weeks to find out Vickie and Leigh's schedual and then comes one day. One random day that none of us could have predited

I apologize if there are errors. For it is 2:25 a.m. and im a bit drowsy and its pretty hard to revise my post

[j.stephen.h]

True RJ, a name and Offender Typology would definitely help with assessment, but I see Mr. Lohrs point. I think the mother is full of (censored) myself though. her comment "i am 100 percent certain she opened the door"? Yet before in part 1 she stated that she couldn't remember if the garage door had been left open. This case looks like a Staged domestic Homicide. Probably spontaneous at first, with attempted organized concealment afterward.IF there was an accomplice involved its possible that he/she lives in the area the glasses were mailed from, or very near it. Yet the cleaning up afterwards could be an Undoing thing, where the offender feels guilty afterward and tries to psychologically "undo" the crime by cleaning up. Often they wrap the bodies in towels/sheets/blankets very lovingly and are known to even sometimes bury them with pictures or other personal artifacts. The burial site (if chosen by the mother) would be a place of special significance to her, possibly a place visited in youth, or somewhere she felt safe. Really more information is required for anything solid to manifest, i'd like to see pictures of the area surrounding the house, and have a list of attendees at the birthday party. ALso I'm curious as to how mr. yarborough the stepfather died, and if the mother had any boyfriends/paramours during the time of the disappearance.

[shelby]

I know the family. -REDACTED- admitted to molesting her. He said that he did NOT kill her.

[exigent_circumstances]

shelby did (redacted) kill any of the other victims? was he a violent type or the classic Power reassurance type?

[Robynn]

Today is my birthday, hers would have been next week and she was a year older than me. I can't help remember how my summer before my 13th birthday was, and think she was doing almost the exact same things. How sad something like that could have easily happened to any naive 13yr old girl, and it happened to her. I wonder what she'd be today celebrating her 30th bday

[Michelle]

I am from Tupelo. This case has haunted everyone in this community for 20 years. I have one sister that was a year behind her in school and one a year ahead. When this happened to Leigh everyone was terrified. The person that did this took the trust out of everyone in our town. We, as children, were scared that someone was going to do something awful to us! And our parents were more terrified at the fact that there was some monster out there capable of doing such a thing. They all held on a little tighter to us and we were not able to play outside or ride our bikes around the block for a while. Eventually they loosened their grasp and things kindof got back to normal. We are the All-American City and murders/kidnappings whatever just did not happen here everyday. I have often hoped and prayed that they would find out what happened to her. She has been the subject at many family dinners, holidays etc. We all want to know what happened to Leigh Occhi! It is good to know that she has not been forgotten.....

[Paul]

Great reporting as usual, Mr. Lohr. I too find, as others here have, the time line and the mother's failing the polygraph 3 separate times to be a bit curious. 1.5 hours isn't a lot of time for this to have happened, yet the blood was fresh so it had to have happened, seemingly, while the mother was at work. Too bad there wasn't a way to determine from the blood how long it had been there (like they can with body temperature) to determine a time of dispersal or loss. My heart goes out to her father. It broke while reading the portion devoted to him.

[TJanes]

If the mom's main suspect is incarcerated, and linked to crimes against other children, why aren't authorities testing his DNA against that on the bloodstained nightgown?

[Myshel]

four failed lie detector test. GO FIGURE!!!!

[jle]

Does anyone know truly how many lie detector tests were given?? Not one person on this page is right. Maybe everyone should get the real info before making any judgements. The mother was NOT dating this "person". I do NOT agree that this was good reporting on Mr. Lohr's behalf. None of you know the family and to make assumations is wrong. My heart breaks for this family and so should yours.

--
Edited by David Lohr to add: Sorry you disagree, but my information came from the authorities. Might I ask where you got yours?

[Elise]

Was the mother referring to the guy who raped and murdered a teenaged girl in Itawamba County in the late '90s/early '00s? He was also military, if I'm not mistaken...

[j.s.h.]

I think Mr. Lohr did more to capture the specifics of the crime than others attempted....and If she only failed ONE that makes her logically suspect.

[j.s.h.]

I think also that Everyone will be surprised at the conclusion of this case. (and it will be concluded) There are too many odd and bizarre factors working against a "random" crime perpetrated by a stranger...this is a crime committed by someone or ones, who 1)knew the schedule 2) knew the area 3) knew the poor girl and there are both elements of Organization and disorganization present and I wouldnt doubt that the scene was Staged.

[pwells]

I know the family too - and the mother was a devoted, loving mother that put her daughter before anyone or anything else. The "father" was never there with Leigh Leigh when she was growing up - didn't remember her birthday, or holidays. It amazes me that he can put on that devoted father act now and anyone would believe him!!!!! Perhaps he is trying to ease his feelings of guilt for not being the kind of father that a sweet, loving little girl like Leigh deserved. And boyfriend, girlfriend at the age of 13 is simple and sweet and perfectly normal. Vickie put up with all kinds of gossip, ridicule, accusations and constant questioning from investigators. She was followed everywhere - until they finally realized they were looking in the wrong direction. And even today - she will not belittle anyone for the way she was treated because she tells herself they were just trying to do their job. Well, I am not so "politically correct" and they were wrong and they know it. Shame on you!! Also - the mother didn't date the person that is believed to have done this terrible thing - it was a man that they knew as an acquaintance through their church that had horses. Leigh loved horses and collected statues like most girls collect dolls. It has come to light that he did this to another young girl with the same similar background a few years later. But since his parents have influence and money - they have gotten him out of trouble once again. The second time or third (according to what his ex-wife and son have said)he actually was put in prison with a plea bargain of three years. That time the girl didn't disappear - she was dropped off with a threat never to tell anyone. And as far as the polygraph goes - why Vickie failed it could have something to do with her military background in intelligence. I just have to say that I feel sorry for anyone small minded enough to believe what this reporter is implying, or the "free loading" (because he got all he could out of it)father put before you. If you don't know - you only show your ignorance when you make assumptions!

---
Edited by David Lohr to add: In regards to the dad, I am not going to argue his relationship with his daughter because it is not relevant.

There was more than one polly. Contact the investigators yourself.

As far as the person you are talking about, LE told me they ruled him out.

[j.s.h.]

A background in Military intelligence would have nothing to do with FAILING a Polygraph...if anything it would have assisted her in Deceiving it (not repeatedly failing)...ludicrous surmise really.
Military intelligence individuals and various special forces troops are taught to deceive polygraphs in situations where they are captured and interrogated by the enemy, in order to supress secrets they may have. LE did what was practical, they noticed various inconsistencies in the womans story, realized she failed MORE than ONE polygraph, and naturally pursued the matter. If LE ruled the suspect with the horses out it was likely for a GOOD REASON also, like an unbreakable alibi for one, several witnesses placing him elsewhere during the Crime, or possibly he passed polygraphs. As i've stated before in various other blogs and Posts on here...Its understandable to be emotional, and show empathy in such cases, But emotional deduction has NO ROOM in investigating. Often you start seeing the patterns you WANT to see and not the Cold Reality. (also mr. lohr is right in stating that the relationship between father and daughter is Irrelevant, because the Father was NOT PRESENT during the time of the Crime...He reports CRIME, not the absentee status of military fathers whos daughters were victims of a crime, and having a smear campaign is for the Tabloids)

[Kristie Clark Mullins]

What about the diary ? Nothing has ever been said about it and I know it was found .

[Kristie Clark Mullins]

What about the diary ? Nothing has ever been said about it and I know it was found .

[j.s.h.]

If a Diary was found that held anything relevant to the case I'm sure law enforcement is keeping it well supressed. This is the first I've heard of a Diary found, do you have a verifiable link-source describing the discovery? I don't think it sounds uncommon for a girl her age to keep one, but if she perhaps wrote things describing "creepy neighbors" or arguments with certain individuals, that might be helpful and add a new element to the Case.

Edited by David Lohr to add: I was told by the boyfriend that she kept a diary, but my understanding is that it was not located after she went missing.

[Kristie Clark Mullins]

David please email me at my address

[Kimber]

I agree with whoever that said that it was ludicrous that her failing polygraphs was because she had a "background in military intelligence". I would actually love to know specifically how that pertains to her mother, I can't seem to find anything on it.

I do find it very hard to believe her mother killed her, especially with no evidence of any kind of previous abuse and it seemed like they were pretty close.

It sounds like its just one of those random, crazy things that happen in this world. I feel terrible for her parents not knowing what happened to her, and I hope someday they find her.

[Joe Mullins]

I believe -redacted- had something to do with it.. Everyone in my family believes she did.. I was her step brother.. Living in Va with her true father..

Not to say I'm right.. but everyone I know has these feelings.. The glasses thing is weird.. It's also odd that nothing else was found.. I mean if you batter a girl all around a house.. you're going to leave a hair.. possibly saliva.. a fingerprint.. a weapon.. a foot print.. all of that chaos and not a single clue? really? I call BS..

We went to Tupelo and surrounding areas combing for her body or traces of her body.. nothing.. someone had time and ability.. someone had a motive.. A body was never found.. who's to say she didn't die a day prior?

another thing.. this was a neighborhood.. I know what my neighbors drive I know the vehicles frequented to those houses.. who wouldn't notice a different vehicle pulling up.. going in the garage with the light on and making that much noise spending that much time and leaving with a body for Christ's sake.. there was a detective living in the area.. I mean come on.. was a random criminal really that lucky? I doubt it.. but who knows.. I wish the sick person torture before death.. then torture while they rot in hell.. The slower and more painful the death.. the better.. sick P.O.S.

[caryn verell]

i remember this case and have always wondered..every now and then leigh occhi's name comes to my mind, and i offer up prayers for an answer someday. although this is a cold case, i hope and pray that someone will continue to look into it.

[hoping for the truth]

The police need to give Leigh the justice that she deserves and arrest the person responsible for her murder. I know they want to find the body but come on its been 17 yrs now. If they havent found her by now they aren't going to. Leigh deserves justice. I look forward to that day. Then her dad can stop looking for his thirteen yr old baby. Time stopped for him and he has never been the same since that day. And whoever wrote that he never sent her gifts for her birthday or any other time, couldn't be more wrong. Open your eyes to the truth.

[hoping for the truth]

Please Please police on this case, make an arrest already. Your not going to find Leigh. This has gone on long enough. Please do your job.

[Lance]

Personally, I think Mr. Lohr did a very thorough job of reporting on this case. I'm sure his sources are accurate, as the information seems to match what I've read elsewhere.

Three failed polygraph tests is a bit suspicious indeed. But what would be a motive for the mother killing her daughter? I fail to see one here.

The police noted the pool of blood lacked a "film" (maybe not his exact words), implying it was fairly fresh. IMO this rules out the possibility the mother killed the daughter and disposed of the body the day before. Plus, they didn't find any traces of blood in her car, right?

I would like to know her whereabouts on the previous day? Did anyone see her? See Leigh? Is there proof regarding what time she arrived at work? Called her mother? Called home?

I'd also like to know about the alleged "missing" diary. Strange that it was never found.

[Lance]

Mr. Mullins ~

I agree it is odd other evidence was never found. But ultimately, maybe there was evidence found and the police are remaining "tight lipped" about it to preserve the case / possible future conviction?

IF a family member is involved, the glasses could simply be a means of throwing police off her scent. If not, maybe the killer - motive unknown - was simply taunting the family by mailing them to the home?

[Herman]

This is just a legal matter of not having enough evidence to indict.

[Jordan M]

The journal was found, hidden behind some plates. Mr and Mrs Mullins if you could please reach me somehow, i would like to compare notes. - Jordan M

[Rick Brokaw]

I was a friend of Leigh's...we both attended MLK Middle School together and were often seen together at school. When I first heard of her disappearance I was devastated, you never think that something like this could happen to someone you know. Leigh was an intelligent and fun-loving girl who, unfortunately, was picked on alot at school. People will never understand what she meant to some of us...

[Lisa Dale]

I live in Tupelo and I remember something about Leigh being accidently locked outside the house the day before and waiting at a neighbors house for her mom to get home from work. The mother did not rush home to let her daughter in the house that day, so WHY would she be so concerned to call her the next morning???....Did I just dream that or was this anything anyone else remembers?

[aspiringloser]

Lisa, I'm not sure if these are different incidences but I heard she was intentionally locked out by her stepfather. From what I've read, he wasn't living with them at the time of disappearance so this isn't likely the same story.

[Mr. K]

I knew Leigh. I went to day camp with her. One day an adult was "touching" her under water at the pool. I was swimming with her and she asked me to come tell the counselors what happend. No one believed a word. Even more, the adults who ran the day camp were angry with her for "making trouble". Few years later in Middle School she showed up with two black eyes. She claimed a horse kicked her in the face. I always thought she was the focus of parental abuse. When I read that the "family friend" had horses, my heart sank. Theres no way a horse kicks you in the face and all you get are two black eyes. Something else happend. But the fact that she linked it to horses just makes me even more confused. Was she told by the "family friend" to lie? Who was beating her? I dont know the truth, but this mystery has haunted me since I was 14. I only hope one day we will all know what happend to this poor soul.

[Cassie]

I think about this case almost every single day. Over the past couple of years it has really bothered me and all I can pray and wish for is that someone will come forward with information to solve this mystery that has haunted so many in our town. I can't help but wonder though, why no one takes some of the tips seriously. So many people have said they have been told that she was buried under concrete in different areas. I realize that it would be costly and cause a lot of trouble, but if it got them closer to finding Leigh's body and possibly her killer, then why not? If it were my daughter I would be begging everyone to let me dig up their entire yard if I felt that it would allow me to finally lay my baby to rest and find out who did that to her. I just can't help but get frustrated with the efforts of everyone involved for not doing a better job investigating this matter.