Missing Since: 1994-11-03 Location: Peoria, Illinois
Tinkham was last seen in Peoria, Illinois on November 3, 1994. She has never been heard from again. Tinkham is one of several missing women from the Peoria area; others include Stephanie Gibson and Cheryl Murray. Another woman, Sheryl Murwin, vanished from Peoria in 1994; her skull was found in 2001 and identified in 2003. Arie Ray Davis was convicted of the murder of an Illinois woman in the late 1990s and was sentenced to death. sex workers working in the Peoria area reported that Davis enjoyed strangling and beating them in the early 1990s. Investigators said that he suffered from a sexual dysfunction and felt inferior towards women. Authorities do not know if the cases are related, but it is possible that the women came into contact with Davis. He died after suffering a heart attack on death row in October 2002. Davis consistently maintained his innocence in the disappearances. Several unidentified female bodies have been located in the Peoria area in recent years, but the victims are not believed to be related to the missing women’s cases. Investigating Agency Peoria Police Department 309-494-8277 Illinois State Police 309-692-2100 Source Information Illinois State Police The Peoria Star-Journal NamUs Updated 2 times since October 12, 2004. Last updated February 23, 2011; picture added, distinguishing characteristics updated.