Shannon Denise Melendi

Melendi was a sophomore at Emory University and was employed at the now-defunct Softball Country Club on north Decatur Road in Atlanta, Georgia in 1994. She was employed as a scorekeeper and sports equipment salesperson. She arrived for her shift at approximately 8:40 a.m. on March 26, 1994. Melendi agreed to keep score during a game at Field Number One after her employer mistakenly slated her for a shift after a scheduling conflict. Melendi worked until approximately 12:40 p.m. that day. She was seen shortly thereafter across the street from the club at the Citgo gas station, where she purchased a soft drink. She took a lunch break and was never seen again. Police found her car parked at a nearby Citgo gas station unlocked, with the keys in the ignition. In August 2004, Colvin "Butch" Hinton was charged with Melendi's abduction and murder. He was convicted in September 2005. Hinton stated he had lured Melendi into his car, then forced her to drive to his home and raped her at knifepoint before strangling her. He stated he burned her body and discarded the ashes. In light of Hinton's confession, authorities are renewing the search for Melendi's remains.

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