If you’ve followed true crime for any length of time, the name Jonelle Matthews probably rings a bell. It’s one of those cases that haunted Colorado—and the rest of the country—for decades. A 12-year-old girl disappears from her home in 1984 after a Christmas concert, her picture ends up on milk cartons, and then... nothing. For thirty-five years. Then, in 2019, pipeline workers found her remains in a rural field, and suddenly the spotlight turned toward a man who had been shouting from the rooftops for years, practically begging to be noticed. That man was Steven Dana Pankey.
Honestly, the question of where is Steve Pankey now is pretty straightforward, but the road to get there was anything but simple.
As of early 2026, Steven Pankey is incarcerated at the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility in Ordway, Colorado. He's not just a person of interest anymore. He’s a convicted murderer serving a life sentence.
The Verdict That Changed Everything
Getting to this point took two separate trials. The first one in 2021 was a mess. The jury couldn't agree on the big stuff—murder and kidnapping—though they did convict him of a misdemeanor for lying to the cops. It looked like the case might slip through the cracks again. But prosecutors didn't give up. In October 2022, a second jury saw things differently. They found Pankey guilty of felony murder, second-degree kidnapping, and false reporting.
The judge didn't hold back. He sentenced Pankey to life in prison.
Because the crime happened back in 1984, the sentencing laws of that era actually apply. This means he has the possibility of parole after serving 20 years. Don't go thinking he's getting out anytime soon, though. He was 71 when he was sentenced. By the time he's even eligible to ask for parole in 2040 or 2042 (depending on credits and specific legal interpretations), he’ll be roughly 91 years old.
Basically, he's likely going to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Life Inside Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility
So, what does life look like for him these days? Arkansas Valley is a level III (medium custody) facility. It’s located in the high plains of southeastern Colorado, about 50 miles east of Pueblo. It's a far cry from the political stage he once tried to occupy. Remember, this is the same guy who ran for Governor of Idaho multiple times. He loved the attention then, but he probably isn't enjoying the kind he gets in Ordway.
Reports from within the legal system and various documentaries, like The Girl on the Milk Carton, paint a picture of a man who still hasn't changed his tune. Even as he was being led away in handcuffs, he was claiming his innocence. He told the court he was a "Christian" and would be in "heaven," insisting the verdict wasn't justice.
His daily routine now involves the standard rigors of the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC).
- Roll calls and cell counts throughout the day.
- Regulated meal times in a communal cafeteria.
- Limited recreation in the yard.
- Access to a law library, where he likely spends time obsessing over his appeals.
He’s an old man in a place that isn't kind to the elderly.
Why Did It Take 35 Years?
The weirdest part of this whole saga is how Pankey basically talked himself into a prison cell. He wasn't even a primary suspect for a long time. But he kept inserting himself into the investigation. He’d call the police and tell them he had information. He’d ask for immunity. He’d write letters.
He claimed a rake was used to cover up tracks in the snow. He mentioned details about the house that only someone who was there would know. For years, police thought he was just a "true crime groupie" or someone with a mental health issue. His defense even tried to argue that his obsessive behavior was a result of Asperger syndrome.
But when Jonelle’s body was finally found in 2019, those "superfluous details" he’d been rambling about for thirty years suddenly looked a lot like a confession.
His ex-wife, Angela Hicks, finally broke her silence too. She testified about his bizarre behavior the night Jonelle vanished. He’d made her pack the car for an "unexpected" trip, he was obsessed with the news, and he even made her read the newspaper accounts of the disappearance out loud to him.
The Current Legal Status and Appeals
Is it over? Legally, it's mostly settled, but Pankey hasn't stopped fighting. He and his attorneys have looked into every possible avenue for appeal. They’ve questioned everything from the change of venue (they wanted it moved out of Weld County) to the evidence used in the second trial.
However, the reality is that overturning a murder conviction in a case this high-profile is incredibly difficult. The evidence of his own words—thousands of pages of letters and hours of interviews—is a mountain that’s hard to climb over.
Key Dates for Steve Pankey
- December 20, 1984: Jonelle Matthews disappears.
- July 2019: Jonelle’s remains are discovered.
- October 2020: Pankey is indicted in Idaho and extradited to Colorado.
- October 31, 2022: Convicted of felony murder and kidnapping.
- Early 2040s: Earliest possible parole eligibility.
Dealing with the Legacy of the Case
For the Matthews family, knowing where is Steve Pankey now provides a bit of peace, but it doesn't bring Jonelle back. Her father, Jim Matthews, has been vocal about the "closure" the verdict brought, even if it took half a lifetime. They spent decades wondering. Now they know.
If you’re looking to follow the case further, you can check the Colorado Department of Corrections inmate locator. He is listed under his full name, Steven Dana Pankey. It’s public record.
The case serves as a massive reminder of how cold case technology and persistent detective work can eventually catch up with someone, even if they think they've buried their secrets in a remote field.
Actionable Next Steps
- Verify Inmate Status: You can check the Colorado Department of Corrections website periodically if you want to see if his facility location changes.
- Watch the Documentaries: For a deeper look at the psychological side of Pankey, The Girl on the Milk Carton (2024) is the most recent and detailed account.
- Support Cold Case Initiatives: This conviction only happened because the Greeley Police Department reopened the case in 2015. Support local and national organizations that fund DNA testing for cold cases.
The saga of Steve Pankey is essentially a warning about the longevity of justice. He spent decades as a free man, even running for high office, while the family of a 12-year-old girl suffered. Now, the roles have reversed. He is the one waiting, confined to a cell in Ordway, while the truth remains right where he left it.