Later authorities would find Melendi�s abandoned vehicle at the convenience store with her keys inside, but Shannon was no where to be found. By all accounts, Shannon Melendi had vanished without a trace.
Shortly after Melendi�s disappearance, suspicion would fall on none other than the last person to see her alive, Colvin "Butch" Hinton. Hinton was an umpire that was the ball field where Shannon was keeping score. Shannon�s family would soon learn that Butch Hinton had somewhat of a checkered past. Hinton had already served a two year sentence for his role in a kidnapping and molestation of a 14 year old girl. With all these facts known, the family knew who was responsible, but being able to arrest him would take quite some time. Ten years to be exact.
Shortly after Melendi�s disappearance in 1994, Hinton would be charged again for setting his own home on fire to collect insurance money. Some believe it was to destroy any evidence linking him to Shannon Melendi, however that theory was never proven.
Authorities would later dig up the property owned by Hinton and they would find several items buried in his yard. So much so, that the Dekalb County police felt they had enough evidence to file murder charges against Butch Hinton, for the murder of Shannon, whose body is still missing.
On Monday, September 19, 2005, a jury convicted Hinton of Shannon's murder and he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Hinton is the first person in Georgia to be convicted of murder without a body. As the jury read the verdict, there was no emotion whatsoever in Hinton's face.
If you or someone you know may have the information to give the location of Shannon�s remains, you are asked to please call the (404) 298-8145. You may also send an anonymous email to [email protected]
