Levi Frady was an 11-year-old boy who disappeared on his way home from a friend’s house in Forsyth County, Georgia, on October 22, 1997. His body was found the next day in a wooded area in Dawson County, Georgia, with three gunshot wounds. His killer has never been identified or arrested, and his case remains one of the most baffling and heartbreaking unsolved murders in the state’s history.
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The Last Moments of Levi Frady
Levi was a sixth-grade student at North Forsyth Middle School, who loved sports, music, and animals. He lived with his mother, Marilyn Parkman, and his twin sister, Laci, in Dawsonville, Georgia. On the afternoon of his disappearance, he called his mother from his home and asked her if he could go to a friend’s house, less than a mile away. She agreed, but told him to be back by 6:30 p.m.
Levi rode his red bicycle to his friend’s house, where he played video games and watched TV. At around 6:38 p.m., he called his mother again from another friend’s house, but she was in the bathtub and did not answer. His sister picked up the phone and told him to come home. Levi was reluctant to leave, as it was getting dark and he was afraid of some dogs on his usual route. He decided to take a different road, Little Mill Road, to avoid the dogs.
At around 6:45 p.m., he left his friend’s house and got on his bike, followed by a small black dog. A resident on Little Mill Road saw him riding his bike, but he was the last person to see him alive.
The Discovery of Levi Frady’s Body
When Levi did not return home by 7 p.m., his mother became worried and called his friend’s house, but there was no answer. She and her daughter drove around the neighborhood, looking for him. They found his bike abandoned on the side of the road, about a mile from their home. They called the police and reported him missing.
The next morning, on October 23, 1997, the police launched a massive search for Levi, involving helicopters, dogs, and volunteers. They searched the surrounding areas of Little Mill Road, but found no trace of him. At around 2 p.m., they received a shocking news: Levi’s body had been found by some hunters in a ditch in the Dawson Forest Game Management Area, about 20 miles from where he was last seen. He had been shot three times: once in the chest and twice in the head. He was not sexually assaulted or robbed. His backpack was found nearby, with his school books and papers inside.
The police were baffled by the crime scene. They could not find any evidence of a struggle, a vehicle, or a weapon. They could not determine the motive, the time, or the location of the shooting. They could not identify any suspects or witnesses. They could not explain how Levi ended up in the remote area, or why he was killed so brutally.
The Mystery of Levi Frady’s Death
Levi’s death sparked a massive investigation that involved the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Over the years, they followed hundreds of leads, interviewed thousands of people, conducted dozens of polygraph tests, and offered rewards of up to $100,000. However, none of these efforts led to a breakthrough or an arrest.
Levi’s case remains unsolved, and his killer remains at large. The police have not ruled out any possibilities, such as a random act of violence, a serial killer, a drug-related crime, or a personal vendetta. They have also not given up hope of finding justice for Levi and his family.
Levi’s case also inspired the creation of Levi’s Call, Georgia’s version of the Amber Alert system, which alerts the public of missing or abducted children. Levi’s Call was established in 2002, and has helped recover hundreds of children since then.
The Legacy of Levi Frady
Levi’s death was a tragedy that shattered his family, friends, and community. He was remembered as a bright, cheerful, and loving boy, who had a promising future ahead of him. He was also a brave and loyal boy, who faced his fears and tried to do the right thing. He left behind a mother, a sister, and a dog, who miss him dearly.
Levi’s case also touched the hearts of many people across the state and the nation, who prayed for him, searched for him, and mourned for him. His case also raised awareness of the dangers and challenges of finding missing children, and the need for more resources and cooperation among law enforcement agencies and the public.
Levi’s case is not forgotten, and his memory lives on. His family and friends still hope that one day, they will find out what happened to him, and who took his life. They also hope that his case will help prevent other children from suffering the same fate, and that his legacy will make the world a safer and better place.
