
Carter Elliott

Carter Elliott
"On a daily basis I think of him," says Trey Elliott.
Crestlawn Memorial Park is a peaceful place, especially in the spring. Flowers of hope lay at Carter Elliott's grave. They're a reminder of a strong man and a caring father.
"We talk about him all the time. All the time," says his daughter, Ashley Waldron.
The cemetery is also where Waldron and Trey Elliott find comfort. Their words are etched on his grave, "We love you Dad. See you in Heaven."
Waldron says, "He enriched my life and I think the lives of the people around him. And my children are missing out on that."
Trey Elliott says of his father, "Never met a stranger. Helped anybody out."
It's trait even expressed in Carter Elliott's final hours. It was May 19, 2002. Carter Elliott's friend, 26-year-old Timothy Robertson needed a place to spend the night. So without hesitation, Elliott offered his home. The night though would end in great heartache.
Conway Police Sgt. Jim Barrett said the pair appeared to have died from gunshot wounds. It was Conway's first double murder.
Barrett adds, "This is probably been the most extensive investigation that we've ever done."
Barrett believes 49-year-old Elliott was the intended target and that Robertson was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"Completely senseless for no reason and no answers and no justice," says Trey Elliott.
For weeks, police were unable to uncover few clues. There were dozens of interviews and tips. Then there was a break.
One month after the murders, Dr. Richard Conte kidnapped his own ex-wife in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was also Elliott's ex-wife. Police arrested Conte and Conway police flew west to search his house.
In 2003, Maj. Mark Elsinger told Today's THV, "Part of what we recovered out of his residence on his computer - he had downloaded a map of the city of Conway. A locator map kind of thing. How to go to Conway."
There are several other pieces of evidence against Conte. Detectives say it's all circumstantial, but do believe it's enough for him to be charged with murder. As for a motive, they aren't saying what it is. Police gave the case to the prosecutor in 2007.
Barrett says, "If we did not feel that we had not identified the person responsible for these horrendous crimes we would not have sent it over."
Conte is currently in prison for the kidnapping, but he could be released next year. It's something that scares Carter Elliott's son and daughter.
Trey Elliott says, "I don't want him to get out - he is dangerous."
Today's THV contacted Prosecuting Attorney Marcus Vaden. He is still reviewing the case, but says at this time, he doesn't feel there's enough evidence to go to trial.
Waldron says, "My dad deserves a lot more than he's received."
"I miss him a lot and love him and just pray that the prosecutor will do his very best to bring to justice the person that committed these crimes," says Trey Elliott.
So the daughter and son will keep waiting for closure and peace as they remember the dad they long to see again.
Trey Elliott says, "I focus on the good things and tell my children about how good my father was."
He says, "I miss him a lot and love him and just pray that the prosecutor will do his very best to bring to justice the person that committed these crimes."
If you have any information on this double murder, you are asked to call the Conway Police Department.
More details on the kidnapping:
Investigators said Conte ambushed his ex-wife at her Salt Lake City home. He admitted drugging her with a sedative, handcuffing and chaining her in the back of his pickup truck and driving her to Nevada, court documents show.
Conte is a former emergency room doctor.
Our Arkansas cold case series airs every Wednesday night on the "THV 10:00 Difference." If you know of an unsolved murder or missing persons case that you would like us to look into, e-mail us at news@todaysthv.com.