“Footprints in the Snow”: Dateline Reports on Jonelle Matthews Homicide May 23 2025

On Friday, May 23, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET, Dateline NBC presents a compelling new episode titled “Footprints in the Snow.” This episode explores the chilling disappearance and murder of Jonelle Matthews, a 12-year-old girl from Greeley, Colorado, whose case remained unsolved for 35 years. Featuring exclusive interviews, archival footage, and detailed insights, the broadcast sheds light on how a cold case finally led to justice through decades of persistence, unexpected clues, and the shocking behavior of a man who would eventually stand trial for her murder.

A Vanishing on a Winter Night

Jonelle Matthews disappeared on the night of December 20, 1984, shortly after returning home from a Christmas concert with her school choir. Her father and sister returned later that evening to find her missing, with her shoes left near a heater and the television still on. Snow covered the ground outside, revealing footprints near the windows but no sign of forced entry or struggle.

The mystery quickly attracted national attention. Jonelle became one of the first missing children to have her photo printed on milk cartons, a campaign that gained momentum after President Ronald Reagan cited her case in a 1985 speech. Despite the national outcry, the trail went cold for decades, leaving the Matthews family without answers.

A Break in the Case After 34 Years

The breakthrough came in July 2019 when workers installing a pipeline uncovered human remains southeast of Greeley. Forensic analysis confirmed the remains were Jonelle’s. The cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the head. Her recovery transformed the cold case into a renewed investigation, with investigators focusing on a man who had long inserted himself into the case — Steven Pankey.

Pankey, a former Greeley resident who had since moved to Idaho, had made numerous unsolicited statements about Jonelle’s case over the years. He was known for his bizarre and self-incriminating behavior, including offering information to police in exchange for immunity and referencing details that had never been made public. His strange fixation on the case prompted authorities to investigate more closely.

Steven Pankey: A History of Suspicion and Obsession

Steven Pankey’s behavior raised suspicions almost from the start. Though he claimed to have no personal connection to Jonelle or her family, he had lived near the Matthews home in 1984 and briefly attended their church. According to court testimony, Pankey forced his then-wife, Angela Hicks, to follow news reports about Jonelle obsessively. She later told investigators that he had taken the family on a sudden and unplanned trip shortly after the disappearance — behavior she later realized was deeply suspicious.

Over the years, Pankey’s fixation deepened. He referenced a rake being used to cover footprints — a detail never released to the public — and at his own son’s funeral in 2008, he made a cryptic statement suggesting divine punishment linked to Jonelle’s case. His writings and court statements frequently alluded to the case, and a search of his home revealed internet searches and materials related to Jonelle.

Trial and Conviction After a Mistrial

In 2020, a grand jury indicted Steven Pankey for kidnapping and murdering Jonelle Matthews. He was extradited to Colorado and stood trial in 2021. That trial ended in a mistrial, with jurors unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the murder and kidnapping charges, though Pankey was convicted of making false statements to police.

A retrial in 2022 brought a different result. A Weld County jury found Pankey guilty of second-degree kidnapping with use of a deadly weapon and first-degree felony murder. He was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. While no physical evidence directly tied Pankey to the crime, his repeated claims, contradictions, and behavior over decades persuaded jurors of his guilt.

The Family’s Long-Awaited Justice

For Jonelle’s family, the conviction of Steven Pankey marked a long-delayed but significant moment of justice. Her father, Jim Matthews, delivered a poignant message to Pankey during the sentencing, urging him to confess. Jonelle’s mother, Gloria, expressed a more somber reflection, stating that only God could forgive the evil done to their daughter.

Jonelle’s sister, Jennifer, now known as Jennifer Mogensen, spoke about the emotional burden of her sister’s disappearance and the relief that justice had finally been served. The Matthews family, who had moved abroad for missionary work and then retired in Costa Rica, could now close one of the most painful chapters of their lives.

A Legacy and a Reminder

Jonelle Matthews’ case stands as a symbol of the long road to justice. Her face was one of the first used in the nationwide milk carton campaign, and her name became part of a national conversation about missing children. Decades later, forensic advancements and tenacious investigation brought her case to a close.

“Footprints in the Snow” offers an in-depth look at the relentless pursuit of truth and the impact that a single disappearance can have on a family, a community, and a nation. The episode airs on Dateline NBC on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET.