Maria Woods Harber: She was absolutely elegant onstage. Peter Van Sant: Was it an emotional moment for you to realize someone had been arrested after all that time? BRAD RIGBY | PROSECUTOR: This case is about Bo's lies, lies that lasted from 2005 to 2016. Marcus Harper: I received a phone call And the voice on the other end of the phone said, you know, "Brother, your 12 years of hell is over. He went looking for her the night she disappeared and sparked the search for the woman when he alerted authorities the next day. The defense said Ryan was under the influence of painkillers at the time, and only took the blame because he was afraid of Bo. Peter Van Sant: What did you see when you walked into her house? The state says DNA later showed the glove did have his DNA on it. He was the talk of Ocilla, Georgia, and none of it was good. In 1999, Tara Grinstead won the Miss Tifton pageant, which landed her a spot at the 1999 Miss Georgia competition. Browse Troy local obituaries on Legacy.com. Find service information, send flowers, and leave memories and thoughts in the Guestbook for your loved one. He returned to the trailer, according to testimony, where Bo Dukes said he'd show him where Tara Grinstead's body was. It's kind of odd, isn't it? Ryan then allegedly went back to her house to move her remains to the orchard using Bos truck. . Sandra Lee Dukes Sandra Lee "flicka" Dukes passed away at home on January 27th 2019 under the care of Hospice and her loving family. Sending condolences & deepest condolences to the Dukes Family. Jannis Paulk: So, I sat down with an agent and we just went through everything. At the time, Ryan Duke and Bo Dukes were 21 years old. Cind I didn't mean to.". He said, "My roommate killed her.". Tuesday, the witness list focused on the investigators who have worked the case over the years. According to the court, Ryan Duke became ineligible for state funds when he chose to go with private attorneys rather than a public defender. But after he broke down to Brooke, she told Bo it was time to tell the truth. As such, in the State of Oregon Preneed Crematory Sales and Services are conducted under the trade name Neptune Cremation Service. To the Dukes family, please know I am praying for you. Maria Woods Harber: She would never do that. Tara's cell phone was charging inside the house. You have funeral questions, we have answers. Searching obituaries is a great place to start your family tree research. John McCullough: I mean, nobody ever called me back, ever, even whenever I reached out to the GBI, which is the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. A full skeleton. Greg Kaplan, Phillip J. Tangel and Marcus Balsam are the editors. The state and defense attorneys wrapped up their closing arguments earlier in the day. Peter Van Sant: What would anyone's motive be to kill Tara Grinstead? so, I talk to him, tell him everything I know. He denied that, but when asked why he lied to the GBI about killing Grinstead, Duke said, "I'm trying to make that right.". we have made an arrest.". Peter Van Sant: And what is it about him that you love? We know who did," defense attorney John Merchant said. Defense attorneys began to call witnesses of their own Monday when the state prosecutors rested their case after over a week of arguments. Investigators chased down dozens of leads across the country, but tips emerged that led right back to the high school where Tara was a teacher and perhaps someone who had sat in her classroom. Zion Baptist Church, 1012 Adams St. View the obituary at www.BEBrownCo.com. Dukes invited McCullough to Ocilla to spend Christmas with his family. I told him, you know, leave me alone . SHELLHOUSE RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC. Need help? GBI AGENT: So, by Friday, there's nothing left? It turned out that he had completed his education from the Irwin County High School, which is where Tara used to work, three years before she went missing, and they might have come in contact there. Therefore, on May 20, 2022, the jury only found him guilty of concealing a death he was acquitted of every other count. Another video shown shows Duke leading investigators to where he says he dumped and burned her body. Shaheen Tokhi and David Dow are the associate producers. Ryan Duke has been sentenced to spend the next five years in prison for his part in concealing the death of Georgia teacher and former beauty queen Tara Grinstead. The 2005 disappearance of Tara Grinstead beloved teacher and local beauty queen mystified the people of Ocilla, Georgia, like Jannis Paulk, who lived just around the corner from Tara. This DNA test was taken two years before defendant Ryan Dukes recorded confession. You need to own what you've done and confess," Sheridan told "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant in 2017. He called the state's top law enforcement agency heading the investigation, the GBI. Investigators say Ryan confessed to killing Grinstead. Both men were surprising suspects to the cops, who claimed that theyd never came up on the radar. Bo told them that he and Ryan had burned Taras body at the Hudson Pecan Company pecan orchard, and when the area was searched, some human bone fragments were found. Brooke says she kept encouraging Bo to open up to talk about this dark subject that was destroying him. CONNIE GRINSTEAD [Reading family impact statement]: His confession in 2017 seemed genuine and sincere, and he looked remorseful. First published on January 2, 2021 / 11:05 PM. Jannis Paulk even created a website to help authorities collect information. He pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. And I was like, "Yeah." And I was like, "yeah." Maria Woods Harber: She's been an inspiration. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. Police found her car seat in position for someone taller, and police said they found an envelope with $100 in cash on the dashboard. In Ryan's interview with the GBI, he said he had hit Tara, but Bo said Ryan told him otherwise: BO DUKES [GBI interview]: He jumped on her, while he was she was in bed and strangled her right there in her bed. For years, Marcus Harper lived under a cloud some might say a thunderstorm of suspicion. More than an hour into his testimony, Ryan Duke described the moment Bo Dukes led him to Grinstead's body. She wasn't wearing shoes. BO DUKES [GBI interview]: He told me that he had killed Tara Grinstead. In total, there were more than 40 witnesses and 300 pieces of evidence presented in the case. That tip went nowhere. Send Flowers. ", GBI AGENT to BO DUKES: I'm gonna just kinda leave it open the floor to you, and just tell me about you knowing about Tara . An Irwin County Probate judge declared Grinstead dead in absentia in December 2010. Prosecutors called friends and acquaintances of the Georgia teacher and beauty queen. Ryan Duke alibi: Tara Grinstead murder suspect now says he was asleep Caption Continuing Coverage By Alexis Stevens, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution March 14, 2019 The man accused of killing a. ". Brooke Sheridan: That family's peace to me was more important than his freedom. A unique and . View Obituaries Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home, Inc. and Shellhouse-Rivers Crematory Ryan Dukes August 23, 1974 - April 26, 2018. Of the six charges, Duke was found guilty of one count of concealing Grinstead's death. And why the f- would you do it here on my family's pecan orchard? Dana Wilder: As little girls, we looked up to her she was famous. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.nationalcremation.com/location/irving- for the Drakes family. Marcus Harper: She obviously wanted to get married. The defense also called neighbors who provided testimony that supported a theory that Grinstead may have voluntarily left the home. The Ocilla police were called and entered Tara's home, and right behind them was Maria. He said he lied to the GBI agent that interviewed him about breaking into Grinstead's house and fatal striking and choking her. Alfred A. Dukes NORTH AUGUSTA, SC - Memorial Services for Mr. Alfred A. Dukes, 75, who entered into rest January 4, 2015, will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock in the Posey Funeral Chape BO DUKES [GBI interview]: Again, I didn't believe him he asked me to come with him out to to the pecan orchard. LAWYER: Any doubt in your mind, however, that you heard these two people laughing about killing and burning Tara Grinstead's body? It just wasn't what I wanted. Let others know about your loved one's death. Mike Dukes. State and defense teams made their pitches to jurors, pretrial hearing that Duke "spontaneously and unsolicited" confessed, Boy, 16, found shot dead in Lawrenceville backyard, New charges complicate Jalen Carters 'character' question, UGA football star Jalen Carter facing charges in fatal crash: What we know, Sheriff's office fires deputy seen on video body-slamming man to ground during arrest, Delta pilots approve contract to raise pay by more than 30%, Prominent Roswell restaurant owner charged with sexual crimes involving 2 minors, Cheerleader competes alone at state champs after squad quits: It felt amazing, Georgia elementary school principal charged with child cruelty, false imprisonment, Clayton County twin sisters make history rising the ranks in Georgia UPS facility, I didnt realize: Woman mistakenly eats heart-shaped chip that could have won her 100K. Rothwell took the blame for the GBI assuming local law enforcement determined information indicating Ryan Duke and Bo Dukes as persons of interest were "unfounded." I know who killed Tara Grinstead or had a part of it. He lit her on fire. Marcus Harper: I was swabbed for DNA. Hudson said at the time he thought the burn site was an innocent bonfire. But there was more Brooke says Bo then admitted his own involvement in the crime, saying: Brooke Sheridan: "And I helped him burn her body.". And she told them about her employee's tip three years earlier regarding Bo Dukes and Ryan Duke. Rothwell said the GBI never followed up after their names appeared in an investigative summary. But McCullough wasn't the only witness who gave details about Tara's death. Create an obituary. The funeral will follow at 11 oclock in the chapel with The Rev. And wish I could have been there whenever it happened so that way, I could do something [emotional]. was dedicated to making her students feel wonderful. And he said he threw his arms up just like this [shrugs her shoulders], "What are you gonna do?". So, it's kind of crappy right now. Ryan Duke said he wouldn't have recognized who it was if Bo Dukes hadn't told him. Tara's car was parked in the driveway. Ryan Duke said he helped Bo Dukes load Grinstead's body onto a pile of wood, covered her with more wood and lit the pile on fire. And he asked me to help him get rid of her body. Ryan Duke said he didn't know what he was talking about or believe him at first. Vicki Heilig Dukes. The defense called a psychologist, Dr. Christopher Tillitski, who evaluated Ryan Duke in 2019. GBI AGENT: So, you immediately see this and you're like "what in the hell did you do? But back in 2005, authorities either missed or ignored a tip that may have solved the case. Grief Support. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Pallbearers will be Ryan Dukes, Jeffery Dukes, Evan Darr, Zac Buckner, Chris McGee, Chad Polatty and James Whittle. The state's witness called Grinstead's 79-year-old father, Billy Grinstead, to the stand, who broke down. Jannis Paulk also spoke to the GBI in 2008 as the agency was reviewing the case. Friday, a jury found Ryan Duke not guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and burglary connected to the death of Georgia beauty queen and teacher Tara Grinstead. John McCullough: I have no idea. The jury was left to decide if they believed what Ryan said in 2017, or his new version of events. Leave a memory or share a photo below to show your support. The state focused on Ryan Duke's 2017 recorded confession to GBI agents. Ryan Duke Trial Day 7 Recap. Interment will follow in Southlawn Cemetery. He testified calmly, but inside was still seething at Bo. She brought great things to Irwin County High School And I would hope that eventually the word Tara Grinstead will be a bright spot because she did bring a lot of good things to Ocilla. A "panicked" Bo Dukes woke him up the following morning, Ryan Duke testified. Bens account could not be taken as hed passed before Ryan and Bo were arrested. All rights reserved. Brooke Sheridan says she encouraged Bo Dukes to tell his story to investigators. Maria Woods Harber: Tara had a boyfriend for a long time And during the summer of 2005, they broke up. Dukes attorneys have said he made a false confession under the influence of drugs. Ryan Duke was sentenced to 10 years in prison for concealing the death of Tara Grinstead. Your family's land." Brooke Sheridan: I said, "You have to talk to me. Ryan's lawyers argued that gave Bo plenty of time to plant it. Maria Woods Harber: Well, it's very emotional. Peter Van Sant: The kind of guy you want to share a foxhole with, right? Not a one. Ryan was thus sentenced to 10 years behind bars, which he currently seems to be serving. Nearly 12 years after Tara's disappearance, on February 23, 2017, Ryan Duke appeared in court, charged with Tara's murder. A devoted husband and grandfather, Duane was born on May 1, 1950, in South Gate, California, the son of Edwin and Florann (Boisseau) Dukes. At one. Who is he and where is he now? April 26, 2018 Aiken, South Carolina Set a Reminder for the Anniversary of Ryan's Passing. She was radiant. On Sunday, Tara's mom called her several times, but Tara didn't answer. GBI agents have also said DNA matching both Duke and Grinstead was found on a latex glove discovered in her yard. A wonderful man to know and to work with ,he told me about a month ago that he was enjoying taking care of his grand children God Bless. 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