Connected by Fate

LaDonna Humphrey: Author, Filmmaker and Investigative Journalist

LaDonna Humphrey is an award-winning writer, documentarian, investigative journalist, executive director and an advocate for victims of crime. Her passions include advocating for missing adults, crime victims, children in foster care, and for women in recovery. LaDonna is the co-founder of All the Lost Girls and True Crime Fest NWA, as well as the co-host of the Deep Dark Secrets Podcast and the Legends in Blue Podcast.Notably, LaDonna was shortlisted by the 2023 True Crime Awards in two categories: Best New True Crime Writer and Best Indie Podcast. She released her indie documentary, Uneven Ground: The Melissa Witt Story in May of 2023. To date, the film has been selected by dozens of Film Festivals, and has earned over 25 awards. Additionally, Humphrey was awarded the title of Best Female Feature Film Director by the South Film and Arts Academy Festival. Her documetnary is available on several streaming platforms, including Amazon, Tubi and Epoch.

LaDonna Humphrey: Books

The Girl I Never Knew - Who Killed Melissa Witt by LaDonna Humphrey

Justice for Melissa Witt

For over two decades, the identity of Melissa Witt's killer has been hidden among the dense trees and thorny undergrowth rooted deeply in the uneven ground of a remote mountaintop in the Ozark National Forest.

Determined to find answers, LaDonna Humphrey has spent the past seven years hunting for Melissa's killer. Her investigation, both thrilling and unpredictable, has led her on a journey like no other.

The Girl I Never Knew is an edge-of-your-seat account of LaDonna Humphrey's passionate fight for justice in the decades-old murder case of a girl she never knew. Her unstoppable quest for the truth has gained the attention of some incredibly dangerous people, some of whom would like to keep Melissa's murder a mystery forever.

Connected by Fate

Connected by Fate unfolds against the haunting backdrop of the Ozark National Forest, where the unresolved murder of Melissa Witt has cast a long shadow over the dense woodlands for almost three decades. The mystery, woven into the fabric of the remote mountaintop, has become a part of the lore of the land, with the true identity of the murderer eluding capture, concealed by the forest's imposing presence.

Enter LaDonna Humphrey, driven by a profound sense of justice and a personal commitment to uncovering the truth, despite never having met Melissa Witt. LaDonna's connection to the case transcends the ordinary, fueling her with a relentless determination that has defined her life for almost a decade.

LaDonna's investigation is a riveting narrative of courage, resilience, and an unwavering pursuit of truth in the face of overwhelming odds. Each breakthrough and setback, each clue unearthed and lead followed, draws her deeper into a web of intrigue that extends far beyond the initial crime.

Connected by Fate is more than a true crime story; it's a testament to the power of the human spirit and determination fueled by the knowledge that solving Melissa's murder is not just about bringing a killer to justice—it's about restoring dignity to a life cut tragically short, and offering closure to a community haunted by the specter of an unsolved crime.