A Summer Day Turns Tragic

On June 13, 1996, 12-year-old Crystal Gayle Dittmeyer vanished from the Pick Wick Apartments in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was last seen around 5:30 PM near the complex's swimming pool, wearing a white t-shirt with a yin-yang design, blue jean shorts, and a yin-yang necklace. Her sudden disappearance sent shockwaves through the community and initiated a complex investigation that would span years. 

Immediate Suspicion Falls on Stepfather

From the outset, law enforcement focused on Crystal's stepfather, Benjamin Harry Crider Jr., as a primary suspect. The day after Crystal's disappearance, investigators noted human bite marks on Crider's arm and bruises on his shoulder. Crider claimed these injuries resulted from changing the brakes on his wife's car, but a mechanic found no evidence to support this explanation. 

A Child's Testimony Raises Alarms

Two weeks after Crystal went missing, her younger half-brother provided a chilling account. He reported hearing an argument between his mother, Tammi Jean Crider, and Benjamin. Upon entering their bedroom, he saw Crystal lying motionless with her eyes open. Tammi then took him shopping, and upon their return, Crystal was gone. Tammi denied this account, but the testimony added a disturbing layer to the investigation. 

Forensic Evidence Points to Foul Play

Investigators uncovered significant forensic evidence suggesting foul play. Blood stains matching Crystal's blood type were found on various items in the apartment, including a towel, carpet, table leg, jeans, a brassiere, and a bedspread. An empty bottle of hydrogen peroxide, possibly used to clean blood stains, was also discovered. Additionally, DNA evidence consistent with Crystal's blood type was found in Crider's state-issued vehicle. ...Read More