Missing:Mother/Daughter-Kim Whitton & Haleigh Culwell--AL-- 06/21/07

[Linda]

[size=xx-small] http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=6867412[/size]


[size=xx-small]How Kim Whitton met Barry Whitton, and whether or not she knew his past
[/size]
[size=xx-small]July 31, 2007 [/size]


Barry Whitton has been indicted for being a convicted felon in possession of 5 firearms.

He's currently in federal custody and will be arraigned in U.S. District Court in about 2 weeks.
Whitton was arrested July 12th after his property was searched in connection with his wife and step-daughter's disappearance.
Kim Whitton and 11-year-old Haleigh Culwell were last seen June 21st at their home in Jackson County.

Barry Whitton has been named a suspect in their disappearance.
He was also a suspect in his first wife's murder.

Michelle Whitton was found beaten to death in a shallow grave in January of 1998.

To this day the murder is unsolved.

A little more than a year after Michelle was murdered, Barry Whitton remarried.

"His friends had put his name in one of those little buy/sell/trader like magazines telling him he needed to find somebody after Michelle's death. Kim was lonely and she just saw his name in there and she contacted him. And they met and they just hit it off. And they got along really well and Haleigh really liked him," said Kim's sister, Sherri Compton.

Compton says they married 4 to 6 months later in Gatlinburg, but there was one thing that personal ad didn't reveal.

Kim lived in Blount County, which is in the Birmingham viewing area.  Her family says they nor Kim knew about Michelle.

"No, not until after they were married," Compton said.   
Kim's family says she loved Barry, believed he was innocent and stayed with him.

But now after 8 years of marriage, Kim and her 11-year old daughter, Haleigh, are missing.

Barry has been called a suspect in their disappearance. That, combined with the fact he's not the one that reported them missing and his first wife was mysteriously murdered, has the family taking a close look at Barry.

"It makes you wonder if he did it the first time, did he do something with Kim and Haleigh? Does he know where Kim and Haleigh is? I personally am to the point that I just want their bodies back so we can bury them. It's just something in me that feels like I'm not ever going to see them again," said Compton.

Kim's sister says as far as they knew, Kim and Barry were happy.
She also says there were no outward signs she was abused.
Kim's co-workers and friends have started a purple ribbon campaign for Kim and Haleigh.

They're asking you to wear purple ribbons, put them on your home, car or business to remind people to pray for the missing mother and daughter.

There's also a candlelight prayer service this weekend.

It's Saturday, August 4th, at the Goosepond Colony Amphitheater in Scottsboro.

There'll be free food, singing and guest speakers starting at 6 o'clock. The candles will be lit at sundown.

[Linda]

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1186305330145160.xml&coll=1

Hundreds at service for missing mom, girl

August 05, 2007

'Hope still real,' crowd is toldin Scottsboro

SCOTTSBORO - Macedonia School Principal Steven Paradise urged everyone at a candlelight service in Scottsboro Saturday night to remain hopeful for Kim Whitton and her daughter, Haleigh Culwell, who disappeared six weeks ago.
"We're celebrating hope and that it exists," Paradise told more than 300 people who showed up for the service at the Goosepond Colony Amphitheather. "Hope is still real."

Jackson County Sheriff Dennis Miller and some of his investigators attended the event. They and local rescue squads and HEMSI's Search Dog Unit spent all day Saturday looking for the mother and daughter, but found no evidence of them, Miller said.

Whitton's mother, Mildred Compton, two sisters and a brother, all of Blount County, also attended the service, but did not talk to reporters.

Haleigh was a fifth grader last year at Macedonia School, which begins classes Wednesday. She and her mother have been missing since June 21. Whitton's husband, Barry Van Whitton, 38, of Section has been named by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a suspect in their disappearance.

FBI agents arrested Whitton on July 12 at his 40-acre farm on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was convicted of receiving stolen property in 1988 and 1991. He remains in the Cullman County Jail without bond.

Kim Whitton's co-workers at Cloverdale Manor nursing home in Scottsboro organized Saturday's candlelight service. At the service, area preachers offered prayers and local singing groups performed. About sunset, the crowd released several purple, helium-filled balloons with the missing mother's and daughter's photographs into the sky over Lake Guntersville.

Boaz Fire Chief Olen Morrison, whose daughter was 24 when she disappeared nine years ago, said he attended the event to support the missing couple's family. He is a member of Team Hope, the national center for missing children.

Morrison encouraged the family to trust in the Lord and to continue praying.

[Linda]

http://www.thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=0ec601c354f04efc

No new evidence found in case

August 7, 2007

A Saturday search for a missing mother and daughter in Jackson County didn't turn up any new evidence in the case but it was beneficial, according to Jackson County Sheriff Dennis Miller.

"It (the search) gave those of us involved in the investigation some peace of mind knowing that we covered an area of interest."

Miller said approximately 50 volunteers took part in the search for Kim Whitton, 37, and her daughter, Haleigh Culwell, 11. The mother and daughter have been missing since June 21.

The search, which was the result of numerous tips from the community, began at approximately 8:30 a.m. and continued to 4 p.m. along the banks of Kirby Creek to below Matheny's Bridge near Macedonia. The creek is near property owned by Barry Whitton, Mrs. Whitton's husband.

Mr. Whitton has been named as a suspect in the disappearance and in the murder of his previous wife, Michelle Townsend Whitton. Her body was found in rural DeKalb County almost 10 years ago approximately six weeks after she was first reported as missing.

Mr. Whitton was arrested by FBI agents on July 12 for being a felon in possession of a firearm during the first day of an exhaustive two-day search of his 40-acre property. He remains in the custody of U.S. Marshals without bond. If convicted on the count he faces a penalty of not more than 10 years imprisonment or a fine of not more than $250,000 or both.

"We had a lot of volunteers," Miller said of the most recent search, which he call "thorough. We didn't find anything of interest at all."

Volunteers from the Scottsboro-Jackson County Rescue Squad, Rosalie Rescue Squad, Bridgeport Fire and Rescue and Ider Rescue were among those taking part. Miller said five canine teams from Huntsville Emergency Medical Services, Inc. also took part.

Miller and some of the investigators involved in the case attended a candlelight service along with several hundred other people Saturday night in honor of Mrs. Whitton and Culwell at Goose Pond Amphitheatre.

The service was held to ensure that Mrs. Whitton and Culwell are not forgotten. It was designed to encourage family and friends that hope for finding the missing mother and daughter still remains.

Kristi Wright, a coworker of Mrs. Whitton, organized the event, which included a balloon release with cards containing Kim and Haleigh's pictures and the phone number for an FBI tip line. Singers, speakers and prayer were included as a part of the service.

“We’re ecstatic about the turnout,� Wright said Monday. “It was great.�

Wright and other friends of Mrs. Whitton have started a purple (Kim’s favorite color) ribbon campaign. The ribbons are to create awareness that Mrs. Whitton and Culwell are still missing and to keep it in the public’s mind, according to Wright.

"Tips keep trickling in," Miller confirmed Monday. "We're still encouraging that people with information about the case continue to call."

Miller believes someone in the community saw or heard something that could help break the case.

The FBI tip line number is 1-877-628-2533.

[Linda]

http://www.thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=cbb3931baac0d34a

School begins without Culwell

August 10, 2007

Macedonia School recognized and remembered one of its own on the first day of school Wednesday.

Students, teachers and staff were greeted by a number of purple bows scattered throughout the school grounds as a symbol of hope for 11 year-old Haleigh Culwell, a sixth grader who along with her mother, Kim Whitton, has been missing since June 21.

The mother and daughter have been the focus of an extensive investigation since they were first reported missing on June by Mrs. Whitton's coworkers at Cloverdale Manor Nursing Home in Scottsboro. Jackson County Sheriff's Department investigators, FBI agents and a number of other law enforcement personnel are actively working the case. An FBI tip line has been set up to take phone calls from private citizens with information about the disappearance. The number is 1-877-628-2533.

Barry Whitton, Mrs. Whitton's husband, has been named as a suspect in the disappearance. He remains in the custody of federal marshals after being arrested on weapons charges on July 12.

Mr. Whitton's previous wife, Michelle Townsend Whitton, was found dead and partially buried in a shallow grave in neighboring DeKalb County in Jan. 1998, some six weeks after she was initially reported as missing.

Teachers and staff at Macedonia School also wore purple ribbons. The color is Mrs. Whitton's favorite color and, according to reports, is among Culwell's favorites as well.

After a brief meeting where the situation was explained to students and a moment of silence was observed classes began at the school.

[Linda]

http://www.thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=ab753b291731259a


Whitton case not on back burner

September 7, 2007

Chief Deputy Doyle York of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department said Wednesday that authorities are still focused on the disappearance of Kim Whitton and her daughter, Haleigh Culwell.

The mother and daughter were last seen on June 21 and reported missing a week later by Kim Whitton's co-workers at Cloverdale Manor Nursing Home in Scottsboro.

"We still have something to work on," said York. "And I am pleased with that."

Kim Whitton's husband, Barry Whitton, who is a suspect in the disappearances, remains in the custody of U.S. Marshalls without bond.

Barry Whitton was arrested by FBI agents on July 12 and charged, then later indicted, as a convicted felon in possession of firearms after five weapons were found during a search of his 40-acre property near Macedonia.

Barry Whitton awaits trial on the charges, which carry a penalty of not more than 10 years imprisonment or a fine of not more than $250,000 or both.

York said authorities were still getting calls from people regarding the disappearance of Kim Whitton and Haleigh Culwell.

"We've got calls from other states," York said. "That tells us that people all over the country are aware that we have a missing persons case."

The FBI is still manning a tip line set up for the case. The toll free number is 1-877-628-2533.

York said all the forensic reports have not come back yet. He added that the sheriff's department would not rest until the case was completed.

[Linda]

http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=7094978&nav=0hBE

Blood drive scheduled in honor of missing mother and daughter

Sep 18, 2007

It's been nearly three months and there's still no word on the whereabouts of Kim Whitton and 11-year-old Haleigh Culwell.

The Jackson County mother and daughter were last seen June 21st.

"You just don't fall off the face of the earth. Certainly we try to maintain the hope, but three months have gone by," said Kristy Wright, Kim's co-worker.  

Kim's co-workers at Cloverdale Manor, a nursing home in Scottsboro, reported them missing.

"She's not there, she's irreplaceable. And of course something's missing because we're a team there. And our team member's missing," said Candice Culver, Kim's co-worker.

Through a purple ribbon campaign, a candlelight prayer service and months of waiting, Kim's co-workers have led the charge to keep Kim and Haleigh's names on the hearts and minds of the people.

And this time they're doing it by helping others along the way.

A blood drive will be held in Kim and Haleigh's honor on September 21st, three months to the day since Kim and Haleigh were last seen.

It'll be at the Wal-Mart in Scottsboro from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and from 3:20 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"It's going to help not only keep Kim and Haleigh's name out there, and keep everyone from forgetting about them. But it's also going to help save a lot of other people. We're nurses, we're out there to help people. So that's just another way of showing that we care," said Culver.

It just so happens, September 21st, the day of that blood drive, is also the day Barry Whitton is expected in federal court again.

The FBI has called Whitton a suspect in his wife and step-daughter's disappearance.

He was arrested July 12th after his property was searched.

He was arrested for being a convicted felon in possession of five firearms.

He was convicted for receiving stolen property in 1988 and 1991.

Whitton is expected to plead guilty on Friday to those weapons charges.

He faces up to 10 years in prison.

[Kelly]

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070922/NEWS02/709220357/1009

September 22, 2007  
 
Missing woman's husband guilty in weapons case

The Associated Press

HUNTSVILLE -- A Jackson County man who is a suspect in the disappearance of his wife and stepdaughter three months ago pleaded guilty Friday to federal weapons charges related to firearms found at his residence by authorities searching for the missing woman and girl.

Barry Whitton, 38, entered the guilty plea during a hearing Friday before U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn, U.S. Attorney Alice Martin said. Whitton had originally pleaded not guilty to the charges of being a convicted felon in possession of firearms.

Blackburn said Whitton would be sentenced in about three months. Whitton, who was previously convicted twice of receiving stolen property, could receive up to 10 years in prison on the firearms charges.

Attorneys have said Whitton's decision to change pleas was not related to the search for his wife, Kimberly Whitton, 36, and his stepdaughter, Haleigh Culwell, 11.

Whitton's attorney, Bruce Gardner of Huntsville, did not immediately return a message seeking comment Friday.

Federal and local authorities found the guns on July 12 while searching Whitton's home and rural property near Section in Jackson County for Whitton's wife and stepdaughter. Kimberly Whitton was last seen June 21 when she left her job at a Scottsboro nursing home.

Confiscated from Whitton's property were a shotgun, a M-1 carbine, a Winchester 30-30 lever action rifle and two .22 caliber rifles.

At a hearing in July, FBI Special Agent Curtis Parker testified that Whitton is a suspect in the disappearance of his wife and stepdaughter. He said Whitton is also a suspect in the death of his first wife, Michelle Whitton, whose body was found in January 1998 buried under sticks and rocks on a hillside in rural Jackson County. She died as a result of a blow to her head, the agent testified.

The missing woman's father, Jerry Compton, plans to make a second visit to Whitton in jail to ask him what happened to his daughter, said Pat Compton, who is Kimberly Whitton's stepmother. She said during an earlier visit to the jail, Whitton told Compton the last time he saw his wife and stepdaughter he gave them $20,000 and they left his house after loading their belongings in a white van.

Pat Compton said Friday that her stepdaughter did not own a white van and her truck was found on Whitton's property.

"Jerry is going to go back and talk to Barry again. He going to ask the same questions again and maybe something will happen," Compton said.

She said the family has received no new information on what happened to Kimberly Whitton and her daughter.

"We're hopeful, but we don't know what to do next," Compton said.

[Kelly]

http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=7394655&nav=0hBE

Search continues for missing mother and daughter

Updated: Nov 21, 2007 04:23 PM CST

 
It's been 5 months today since anyone has seen a missing Jackson County woman and her daughter.

Authorities say the number of tips coming in has decreased.

Kim Whitton and her 11-year-old daughter Haleigh Culwell were last seen on June 21st.

Her co-workers at Cloverdale Manor in Scottsboro reported her missing when she didn't show up for work for several days.

Kim's husband Barry Whitton has been named a suspect in their disappearance but has not been charged.

His sentencing hearing for weapons charges is set for January.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Kim and Haleigh, call the FBI tipline at 1-877-628- 2533.

[Linda]

http://www.amw.com/missing_children/brief.cfm?id=46621

Missing Girl's Stepfather Held Without Bail

Officals from the U.S. Attrorney's office (Ala.)  told "America's Most Wanted" that Barry Whitton appeared in front of a federal judge on Tuesday, July 17, 2007, on weapons charges and was denied bail. 

Jackson County (Ala.) Police say on Thursday, June 12, 2007,  Whitton -- whose wife and stepdaughter went missing on June 21st -- was arrested on a weapons charge when police conducted a search of his property.

Police  and members from the FBI say they found several weapons when they searched Whitton's property and home  looking for clues in the disappearance of  Whitton's wife, 36-year-old Kimberly Whitton and her 11-year-old daughter, Haleigh Culwell.

Police say Whitton was convicted in 1988 and 1991 on stolen property charges. Police say because of Whitton's previous conviction it makes it illegal for him to posses any kind of firearm.  Police say that his arrest had nothing to do with the disappearance of his wife and stepdaughter.

Jill Ellis, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's office, told  "America's Most Wanted"  that that a letter given to U.S. Magistreate Judge Harwell Davis  during Whitton's bond hearing, along with court testimony prompted the judge to deny bail.   

According to people who attended Whitton's bond hearing, testimony was given that Whitton had once described himself  to a federal probation officer as a "wolf that can live off the land and take what ever he wanted."  There was also testimony that Whitton had tourtured and killed a neighbor's dog. He allegedly was upset because theneighbor's dog kept jumping his fence so he hung the dog.

Law officals say based on Whttion's statements and a 1988 psychological report that was entered into evidence, Whitton is considered a flight risk and a danger to society.  Prosecutors now have 30 days to indict Whitton on the weapons charges.


Barry Whitton

She says that her 11-year-old neice, Haleigh, called Whitton daddy and he called her "baby girl".

Whitton Named A Suspect

Police say that the weapons charges aren't the only thing Whitton needs to worry about.   Police are now calling him a suspect in the dissapearnce of his wife Kimberly Whitton and her stepdaughter Haleigh Culwell.


Haleigh Culwell


Kimberly Whitton, Haleigh's mom

Jackson County Police say that 100 state, federal and local law officers searched Whitton's log home on Sand Mountain and the surrounding 40 acres for any sign of the mother and daughter.  Police say they did not find them, but did collect evidence that has been sent to the lab for further testing.  Police would not comment on what they found and do not even know if the evidence has anything to do with Kimberly or Haleigh, but  they are hoping that it will provide some answers as to what may have happened to them.

Police say they received a phone call from Kimberly's co-workers at Cloverdale Manor Nursing Home in Scottsboro on June 28, because they were concerned that no one had heard from her in a week. Co-workers told police that on June 21, Kimberly stopped by the nursing home to pick up some papers and then left.  Police say she phoned a friend on her way home, but had a bad connection and lost her.  According to police, Kimberly promised to call the friend back in five minutes, but she never did.

Chief Deputy Doyle York told America's Most Wanted that they went to Kimberly's home and spoke to her husband, Barry Whitton. He told police that his wife and step-daughter left their home on June 21,  shortly after Kim returned from the nursing home.  He told police he hasn't seen or heard from either of them since.

 Police tell "America's Most Wanted" that they are still treating Haleigh and Kimberly's disappearance as a missing person's case at this time, but are concerned  for their well being because there has been no activity on Kimberly's credit cards or cell phone.

Kim's sister, Sherri, is also very worried about her and Haleigh.  She says Kim and Haleigh would never have left town for an extended period of time without telling someone.  Sherri says that Kim has worked at Cloverdale Manor nursing home for seven years  and has only missed one day of work and that was to take Haleigh on a school trip.  "We are worried sick," says Sherri. "We are hoping and praying that they are okay."

Sherri says that Kim and Whitton  have been married for eight years and seemed happy. She says that her 11-year-old neice,  Haleigh, called Whitton daddy and he called her baby girl. Sherri says that if things were not going well between Kim and Whitton, she thought Haliegh would have told them.

A Ten Year Old Murder Case

People living in Jackson County are hoping that Kimberly and Haleigh did leave on their own, but their disappearance has opened up old wounds and a lot of unanswered questions.

Ironically, in 1998, Barry Whitton's first wife, Michelle Townsend Whitton, was found murdered in a shallow grave in DeKalb County.   Police say she was reported missing by Whitton on December 7, 1997.

Police conducted an investigation, but never named a suspect in Michelle's murder.  The case is still open.  Police say at this time they have nothing to connect Michelle's murder with Kimberly and Haleigh's disappearance.

Police tell "America's Most Wanted" that Whitton has been questioned and says he  has no idea where  Kimberly and Haliegh are. Police say they have nothing at this time to connect Whitton to Kimberly and Haleigh's dissappearance.  They are still working every lead and hope history does not repeat itself.


 

[Linda]

http://www.thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=44a06a7926a5cf52   

Miller reflects on first year in office

January 3, 2008

The past year had its ups and downs for the Jackson County Sheriff's Department. Overall, though, it was still a good year, according to Sheriff Dennis Miller.

"Our biggest frustration was obviously the Whitton case," said Miller, referring to the disappearances of Kimberly Whitton and her daughter, Haleigh Culwell, 11, back in July of 2007.

To date, the mother and daughter are still missing, while Barry Whitton, the husband of Kimberly Whitton, awaits sentencing on Jan. 15 for federal weapons charges.

[Linda]

http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=7891840

Man suspected in disappearance of his wife and daughter in court today

Feb 19, 2008

Barry Whitton could be sentenced on federal weapons charges today.

Whitton is a suspect in the disappearance of his wife, Kim Whitton, and her daughter Haleigh Culwell. 

They've been missing since last July. However, today's sentencing is not about that. 
Whitton has not yet been charged in his family's disappearance, although investigators have named him as a suspect.

Whitton was scheduled to be sentenced on federal firearms possession charges this morning at 9:00.

Federal agents say they uncovered the weapons last year while they were searching Whitton's property for clues into his family's disappearance.

They say because Whitton is a convicted felon, he is not allowed to own weapons.

Stay with waff 48 news and we'll bring you any developments on this story today.

[Linda]

http://www.thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=da4f5e1c878cf554

Delayed again

May 6, 2008

For the fourth time this year, the sentencing for Barry Whitton in federal court has been continued.

Whitton, convicted of possession of firearms as felon, was scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday morning before Chief United States District Judge Sharon L. Blackburn in the Federal Courthouse in Huntsville.

However, the sentencing has been continued until Tuesday, May 27 at 9 a.m., according to a spokesperson for United States Attorney Alice H. Martin of the Northern District of Alabama.

"I don't know why," the spokesperson said

Whitton was originally set to be sentenced in January.

Whitton, who remains a suspect in the disappearance of his wife, Kim Whitton, and step-daughter, Haliegh Culwell, has remained in the Cullman County Jail since being arrested last July.

Kim Whitton and her daughter, Haliegh, were last seen on June 21, 2007.

Barry Whitton pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of firearms last September after agents found guns on his property in Macedonia last July while searching for clues in the disappearance of his wife and step-daughter.

The federal firearms charges carry a penalty of not more than 10 years imprisonment and not more than three years supervision and a fine of not more than $250,000 or both.

[Linda]

http://times-journal.com/story.lasso?ewcd=14529231d881ee6c&-session=FPTJ:42F942ED0f1d428263WnM187FB9A

Disappearance hits one-year anniversary

June 19, 2008

Saturday marks the one-year anniversary of the disappearance of Kimberly Whitton and her 11-year-old daughter Haleigh Culwell.

Even though the Section mother and her child haven’t been seen or heard from since June 21, 2007, friends and family strive to continue to keep their memory alive in both their hearts and in the minds of others.

“We are still asking if anyone knows anything or has seen them, if they would please contact the local sheriff’s department or the FBI,� said Tonya Smith, a co-worker who worked with Kim Whitton as a nurse at Cloverdale Manor in Scottsboro.

Smith said in an effort to remember Whitton and her daughter, a local artist, Elliot Miller, had painted a portrait of them.

“We had a memorial in the front lobby [Wednesday] and invited Kim’s family to come. After the ceremony and prayer, we took them out to lunch,� Smith said.

She said the ceremony took place early because they wanted to display the paintings in the nursing home’s front lobby before Saturday, the day of the anniversary.

“We just wanted to do something to keep their memory alive, as this one-year anniversary of their disappearance approaches,� Smith said.

She said they also gave a portrait of the mother and daughter to the family.

Adorned in purple ribbons, a myspace page has been built in memory of the mother and daughter.

The site has messages from friends and family, as well as news updates concerning the disappearances.

Smith said the Web page was another way to make sure the missing mother and daughter don’t fade from their hearts and minds.

Calls to FBI spokesman Ray Zicarelli weren’t returned Thursday.

While the community continues to remember and search for mother and her daughter, Kim Whitton’s husband, a suspect in their disappearance, remains in Cullman County jail on federal weapons charges.

Barry Whitton’s sentencing on federal weapons charges has been moved seven times.

Whitton, 39 of Section, was to be sentenced in May in U.S. District Court in Huntsville. The new hearing date is July 11 at 9 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn.

According to U.S. Attorney Alice Martin, Whitton faces a statutory maximum of up to 10 years in prison and fine of $250,000. At a September hearing, Whitton waived his right to appeal his conviction and sentence. He will not be eligible for parole under federal law.

Whitton’s attorney Bruce Gardner said prosecutors filed a motion to sentence Whitton to more time than the maximum allowed. Gardner said the maximum range is 12 to 18 months, and his client has already served a year.

Whitton changed his not-guilty plea to guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of firearms on Sept. 21. Whitton was convicted of receiving stolen property in May 1991 and March 1998 — convictions Martin said prohibit Whitton from possessing a firearm.

Local, state and federal law enforcement have led several high-profile exhaustive searches for Whitton’s missing wife and stepdaughter.

FBI agents have said Whitton is also a suspect in the disappearance of his first wife, who was found beaten to death in a shallow grave near the DeKalb-Jackson county line more than 10 years ago.

Authorities searched Whitton’s property July 12, 2007 near Section looking for his wife and stepdaughter and found five weapons, including a loaded rifle and shotgun.

[Linda]

http://www.newschannel9.com/news/whitton_970074___article.html/wife_sentenced.html

Missing Woman's Husband Sentenced on Gun Charges

July 11, 2008


The cellmate of a north Alabama man suspected in the disappearance of his stepdaughter and wife, says the man admitted killing three people, without getting caught. The testimony came during a sentencing hearing for Barry Whitton, who pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms.

Whitton was sentenced to 10 years in prison, and was also fined $3,000.

Kimberly Whitton and 11-year-old Haleigh Culwell have not been seen since last June. Barry Whitton is also a suspect in the death of his first wife..

[LoriDavis]

http://www.weis990am.com/np76032.htm

DEKALB COUNTY MAN RECEIVES TEN YEAR SENTENCE
Marc Summers
07-14-2008

A Dekalb County man who was a suspect in the death of his first wife, and also in the disappearance of his second wife and her eleven year old daughter, has been sentenced to a prison term of 10 years on a weapons charge. U.S. District Judge Sharon Blackburn handed down the maximum prison term possible after hearing testimony that 39 year old Barry Whitton told a fellow jail inmate that he'd killed three people in the past, and threatened to kill many more. Whitton pleaded guilty last September to a federal charge of being a Felon in Possession of Firearms, but he hasnt been charged in his first wife`s death, or with the disappearance of his second wife and step-daughter. Investigators found a total of five firearms while searching Whitton's home in connection with those disappearances. Whitton was a suspect in the death of his first wife, Michelle, and in the disappearance of his second wife, Kimberly Whitton, and step-daughter, Haleigh Culwell, who have been missing since June 21st of 2007.