https://www.reddit.com/r/RBI/comments/1ieop6r/my_cousins_cold_case/
created by Tabberdan on 31/01/2025 at 20:39 UTC
111 upvotes, 4 top-level comments (showing 4)
If this is allowed, any assistance is appreciated. Maybe someone will see this and remember something about that day. It’s been 26 years and she deserves justice. TYIA.
“Destin, Florida Laurie Kimberlyn Clements Ball "Kim", 28 yo, was reported missing on June 10, 1999. Laurie had her own cleaning business and disappeared from the home of one of her clients on Oseola Drive in the Holiday Isle area of Destin, Florida. Her car and belongings remained at that home. 2 days later Laurie's body was found in a drainage ditch off County Road 393, near the south shore of Choctawhatchee Bay. Laurie had full custody of her 6 year old son, who turned 7 only two days after her body was discovered. Laurie's divorce had just been finalized days before she went missing. Laurie and her ex husband, Todd Ball, were involved in a custody battle over their young son. estranged Neighbors recalled seeing a green truck sitting outside of the home on Oseola Drive the day Laurie went missing.”
Comment by martlet1 at 31/01/2025 at 20:44 UTC
30 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I remember this when we lived at sandpiper cove in Destin.
Did he have an alibi? I mean they did arrest him right but couldn’t make it stick?
Comment by TimeKeeper575 at 01/02/2025 at 00:13 UTC
17 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I don't have anything to contribute, just wanted to say I'm sorry for your loss and I hope that kid is okay.
Comment by oliphantPanama at 01/02/2025 at 12:08 UTC
18 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Wait what, as of 2019 the Clement’s had been unable to locate their grandson[1]! Has your family been able to locate “A” since then? Did Todd ever give an explanation about the child’s whereabouts, did LE ever confirm his well-being?
In 2009 a grand jury[2] returned a true bill on April 13th, finding probable cause for Ball’s arrest. But the charges were dropped in 2011 after the video evidence was resubmitted to the FBI and determined insufficient to stand up in court.
2: https://www.sheriff-okaloosa.org/wp-content/pdfs/newsreleases/2009/NR04162009B.htm
I’m reading that the video evidence was last enhanced by the FDLE in 2011? As of 2024 there has been major advances in technology. Has the video been resubmitted more recently to the FBI for additional testing?
I don’t think Kim’s case is cold, I think it’s considered “solved”, although unprovable. Most likely LE understands Todd did this but the lack of evidence is making them hesitant to take to it a jury. What about the two eyewitness accounts of Todd’s very unique vehicle being seen in front of the home Kim was cleaning on the day she was murdered? This is outrageous.
If you can get a digital copy of the footage captured by the “Happy Store” you may want to consider asking independent Forensic Imaging technologists to have a go with the data that’s available. You can actually find people on Reddit who are pretty skilled at this work. I would share this information on multiple crime subreddits in hopes of finding freelance resources.
I’m sorry I don’t have more to add. I’m local to the area where this happened, and this is the first time I’ve ever read anything about Kim’s case.
Comment by Independent_Yak_8897 at 31/01/2025 at 20:47 UTC
28 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Sounds like the baby daddy did it