The door was locked. Wide open space so the woods wouldnt catch on fire," Duke said while trying to find the location. The jury saw pictures from Fitzgerald Farms, where agents searched for Grinstead's remains in 2017. His lawyers demanded the case be thrown out as the statute of limitations had already passed before asking for the trial to be moved to another venue in Irwin County. At his sentencing hearing, Tara's stepmother, Connie, expressed how Tara's family felt about Ryan Duke. Now, it was Brooke's turn to be tormented by a terrible secret. LAWYER: It sounds like you're saying you assumed it was handled properly? She was a member of Millbrook Baptist Church. OCILLA, Ga. Editor's Note: The video in this story is archive footage from our coverage of the case in the mid-2010s. Peter Van Sant: How many times did you call the GBI over what period of time and you still didn't get any . Jannis Paulk, who knows the family, paints a different picture of Bo. It was very hard to grasp. GARLAN LOTT: I assumed it was handled by law enforcement, yes. Brooke Sheridan: We actually met on Tinder. Ryan is the one talking about 411 getting connected to Taras house.". The state went through photos and evidence, including a glove found at the home with the DNA of Grinstead and a man. Maria Woods Harber: This is where Tara Grinstead lived in 2005. Bens account could not be taken as hed passed before Ryan and Bo were arrested. I didn't know who he was. Celebrate the life of Ryan Drakes, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information. He testified he could tell the body was a woman's, wearing a t-shirt and some type of jogging pants. And Bo spent more than two years in federal prison. Jannis, who ran a local web design company, became an expert on the case keeping a close watch since Tara was reported missing. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. ", 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 . But when questioned about her disappearance, he had an alibi and was never charged. Ryan Duke testified he saw Tara. It was now time at the trial for Bo's one-time Army buddy, John McCullough, to finally tell his story of Bo's confession. Ryan Duke came into the picture of the Tara Grinstead case when he was charged with her murder in 2017, twelve years after her sudden disappearance. After the defense rested their case, the state got the last opportunity to present witnesses as a rebuttal. The couple broke things off but stayed in touch. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. last opportunity to present witnesses as a rebuttal. We are not authorized to file an initial application for Veterans' Aid and Attendance benefits on your behalf, or to represent you before the Board of Veterans' Appeals within the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in any proceeding on any matter, including an application for that benefits. He later not only confided his secret to Bo but also asked for help to burn the body. His hope for mercy was dashed. Ryan Duke took the stand Tuesday and immediately denied murdering Grinstead, claiming he didn't know how she died. Jannis Paulk: There were people who believed she ran away. Dukes is in prison for concealing Grinstead's death. Send Flowers. TROY - Penny A. Ryan, 64 . AGENT GARY ROTHWELL: We thought that that lead had been addressed by local law enforcement as unfounded and did not follow up. Sign the Guest Book. He testified calmly, but inside was still seething at Bo. BO DUKES [GBI interview]: Again, I didn't believe him he asked me to come with him out to to the pecan orchard. Aiken, SC RYAN DUKES OBITUARY Ryan Dukes Aiken, - MICHAEL RYAN DUKES, 43, died April 26, 2018. AIKEN, SC MICHAEL RYAN DUKES, 43, died April 26, 2018. Bo says Ryan then repeated that a couple of days later. She and her older sister Anita grew up in the Georgia town of Hawkinsville. BRAD RIGBY | PROSECUTOR: This case is about Bo's lies, lies that lasted from 2005 to 2016. Need help? was dedicated to making her students feel wonderful. At his sentencing, Tara Grinstead's stepmother Connie addressed the court: CONNIE GRINSTEAD: He knew she wasn't ever coming back. | All testimonials are written by persons unlicensed and not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm or conduct a funeral. Garlan says after he reported this to Jannis Paulk, he was never formally interviewed by anyone from law enforcement. A native of Concord, NC, Vicki was a daughter of the late David Leon and Mamie Rae. He was a family friend married, with kids who would later testify that he and Tara were having an affair. 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. Brown & Co. Mortuary. I know who killed Tara Grinstead or had a part of it. Ryan Duke said he didn't know what he was talking about or believe him at first. Brooke Sheridan: He has a beautiful mind. In total, there were more than 40 witnesses and 300 pieces of evidence presented in the case. A native and lifelong resident of Aiken, Ryan was a son of the late Kenneth Michael Dukes and Vicki Heilig Dukes. Maria Woods Harper: They've had a really hard time. They said in court filings that Duke was asleep at home when Grinstead was killed. "It should be an opening when we cremated her. Neighbors knocked on her door but got no response. "There was a profile that matched a toothbrush of Tara Grinstead and there was an unknown male profile," Hinkle said. Funeral homes; Help and advice. John McCullough: I can't explain it [emotional]. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. I built a message board because I thought that there was a good chance that whoever knew what had happened to her would potentially come and say something. Ryan said he was afraid Bo would hurt him or his family. AIKEN, SC - Kenneth Michael Dukes, 66, died Thursday, March 30, 2017 at his residence. GBI agents have also said DNA matching both Duke and Grinstead was found on a latex glove discovered in her yard. Not a one. Jannis Paulk also spoke to the GBI in 2008 as the agency was reviewing the case. Sign up for service and obituary updates. In addition to his parents, Ryan was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Jason Dukes, paternal grandfather, E. Kenneth Dukes; maternal grandparents, David Leon and Mamie Rae Lundsford Heilig and an aunt, Cindy Dukes Darr. He's the uncle of Bo Dukes. 5260 Daniel J. Enea, Manager. Defense attorneys began to call witnesses of their own Monday when the state prosecutors rested their case after over a week of arguments. Blogs; Online will; Shop. Bo told her they moved Tara's body to a pit, where it took two days to burn, destroying all evidence. Gary Rothwell [2008]: It is one of the most extensive investigations undertaken by the GBI. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. Maria Woods Harber: So, when I came back out of the house, I saw right out from the front door, there was a latex glove. The two then went to a party. Ryan Duke is standing trial for Grinsteads murder. Produced by Alec Sirken and Lauren Clark. Both men are awaiting trial in a neighboring county on charges related to burning Tara's body. All rights reserved. Jannis Paulk [emotional]: It just brings up a lot. "Any reason to continue this?" "Ryan Duke, the man in that chair, confessed to the murder of Tara Grinstead," prosecutor Brad Rigby said. Search by Name. Bo began with what he says Ryan told him the day after Tara disappeared. Vicki Heilig Dukes AIKEN, SC - Vicki Heilig Dukes, 65, died Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. For those who loved Tara Grinstead, Bo Dukes' 25-year sentence for covering up her death was only partial justice. "Mr. Dukes, do you plan to invoke your 5th amendment right to every question?" There was a 34-hour gap between when someone last saw her and when officers performed that welfare check on Monday morning. Marcus was often overseas, and though they had broken up by the fall of 2005, friends say Tara was distraught about the relationship ending. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. John McCullough: I have no idea. Brooke Sheridan: I had to tell some I had to tell. Maria Woods Harber: She was such a good person She just didn't deserve it. Ryan Duke said Bo Dukes had a wallet with Grinstead's driver's license. In 2017, more than 11 years after Tara vanished, Brooke Sheridan came forward with a potential answer. There were billboards. Down to about 20 fragments of bone. Maria says Tara was determined to live her dreams from a young age, competing in beauty pageants to help earn scholarship money for college. Find an Obituary. And she told them about her employee's tip three years earlier regarding Bo Dukes and Ryan Duke. Ryan William Drakes Obituary. A full skeleton. Investigators said Grinsteads car was in the driveway when police arrived at the home. Grinstead, an Irwin County High School teacher, went missing in October 2005. Neptune Society is the largest provider of affordable cremation services in the nation. My truck was Luminoled photographs were taken. A native and lifelong resident of Aiken, Ryan was a son of the late Kenneth Michael Dukes and Vicki Heilig Dukes. she snuck up on me and I hit her. And everybody has to live with that," Superior Court Judge Bill Reinhardt said before giving out his sentence. Ryan was born April 23, 1981. What to do during a tornado: Where is your safe spot. It was told to me when I was in Georgia. I don't know. My condolences to the family. Years passed, and the GBI said Tara Grinsteads case never "turned cold." "It was built out in the area where there just should not have been a fire," Hudson said. John McCullough maintains he tried to get investigators a key tip in 2007 that could have cracked the case. The defense questioned Duke about his life and relationship with Bo Dukes. Gooding testified her team found finger, teeth and cranium bones in the area. Bo confessed all of this to Brooke, who stuck with him. Over the past 47+ years, our experienced team has assisted families, their loved ones, and caregivers in carrying out final wishes more affordably, with dignity and respect. Tara didn't bring home the Miss Georgia crown, but just competing was a huge achievement says Dana Wilder, who grew up in Ocilla. I'm so sick of this stealing from her purse. In March 2019, Dukes was convicted of helping conceal Grinsteads death andsentenced to 25 years in prison. BO DUKES: As far as I know, he didn't know her. "I know they are disappointed in the verdict today like we are.". Tara's family could do little but pray for a breakthrough. Grief Support. BO DUKES [GBI interview]: We drove back into the back, and he showed me where her body was. Find the obituary of Sandra Lee Dukes (1958 - 2021) from Clayton, DE. Since then, Duke's trial has been moved back several times. Brooke Sheridan: He said, "You've heard of the Tara Grinstead case?" He went looking for her the night she disappeared and sparked the search for the woman when he alerted authorities the next day. . The state and defense attorneys wrapped up their closing arguments earlier in the day. In addition to his parents, Ryan was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Jason Dukes, paternal grandfather, E. Kenneth Dukes; maternal grandparents, David Leon and Mamie Rae Lundsford Heilig and an aunt, Cindy Dukes Darr. It was updated on August 20, 2022.]. For all that has transpired, there's one question that troubles Maria Woods Harber: what really happened to Tara on the night she disappeared? Marcus Harper: She obviously wanted to get married. See the viral video from Bo Dukes' sentencing below: Georgia Supreme Court rules Ryan Duke can use state funds for defense in Grinstead case, Tara Grinstead case: Bo Dukes reports to prison for 25-year sentence, The trial was scheduled for October, but lawyers met this week and agreed to delay the case to spring 2022, Lent List: What is most often given up, and how you can find substitutes, Major water leak keeps Dublin City Hall closed, March kicks off by continuing the warm stretch, small rain chance. Witness Randy Hudson owned the pecan orchard where Grinstead's body was allegedly disposed. 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." The funeral will follow at 11 oclock in the chapel with The Rev. We know who did," defense attorney John Merchant said. Peter Van Sant: One said she had clothes on, the other said she did not. The defense argued that Ryan's former best friend, Bo Dukes, was the man responsible for Grinstead's death throughout the trial. He said he lied to the GBI agent that interviewed him about breaking into Grinstead's house and fatal striking and choking her. Marcus Harper: I was swabbed for DNA. Ricou Browning, the stunt man who played the title character in underwater sequences of the 1954 classic "Creature from the Black Lagoon," died Monday at 93. A jury found Ryan Duke not guilty of murder but guilty of concealing her body. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. 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