Gooding testified her team found finger, teeth and cranium bones in the area. Zion Baptist Church, 1012 Adams St. View the obituary at www.BEBrownCo.com. 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. Maybe because I'm a nobody. After a few drinks, McCullough says Bo began talking about Tara. Sandra Lee Dukes Sandra Lee "flicka" Dukes passed away at home on January 27th 2019 under the care of Hospice and her loving family. She did not want to end it. McCullough, now a manager at a water company in Texas, had met Bo Dukes at Army boot camp in 2006. Jannis Paulk: We shared that tip with the local sheriff's department. He recalled that moment. Marcus Harper: I was swabbed for DNA. Send a Card. Neptune Society is the largest provider of affordable cremation services in the nation. But McCullough wasn't the only witness who gave details about Tara's death. New Jersey Residents: N.J. Lic. And remember that latex glove found at the crime scene? My condolences to the family. Born in Columbia, SC, Mike was a son of Vera Ballentine Dukes and the late Ernest Kenneth Dukes. The funeral will follow at 11 oclock in the chapel with The Rev. Ryan Duke testified he "passed out" after a night of drinking before Tara Grinstead allegedly died. It was reactionary. Peter Van Sant: Why would Ryan Duke have murdered Tara Grinstead? After college, Tara got a job at Ocilla's Irwin County high school, teaching 11th grade history. The jury was left to decide if they believed what Ryan said in 2017, or his new version of events. Several agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation also took the stand. Vicki Heilig Dukes AIKEN, SC - Vicki Heilig Dukes, 65, died Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. Prosecutors do not expect to file murder charges against Bo Dukes. 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. The defense called a psychologist, Dr. Christopher Tillitski, who evaluated Ryan Duke in 2019. Not a one. Marcus Harper: It was like a calling. Ryan William Drakes Obituary. As Jannis recalls, early on, suspicion focused on the men in Tara's life. Searching obituaries is a great place to start your family tree research. He pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. He was a . 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. It was somethin' I felt like, you know, I had to do. Funeral Home Services for Ray are being provided by Alexander Funeral Home, Inc. - Charlotte. In 2017, more than 11 years after Tara vanished, Brooke Sheridan came forward with a potential answer. OCILLA, Ga. Editor's Note: The video in this story is archive footage from our coverage of the case in the mid-2010s. Maria Woods Harper: They've had a really hard time. Combined services will be held at Antioch M.B.C., 2033 W. Congress Ave. on Saturday March. He said, "My roommate killed her.". Duke also admitted to taking her purse and keys and leaving a glove at the residence. Blogs; Online will; Shop. A man named Ryan Duke was accused of the crime. The state and defense attorneys wrapped up their closing arguments earlier in the day. I was high. And she was very distraught. Brooke Sheridan: That family's peace to me was more important than his freedom. "I have talked to other agents and reviewed the documents and come to a recollection of what happened, and that is not an excuse for what happened.". Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 18th from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral hour at Mt. So that gave us a stronger indication that something bad had happened. There was no other option. Pallbearers will be Ryan Dukes, Jeffery Dukes, Evan Darr, Zac Buckner, Chris McGee, Chad Polatty and James Whittle. Texas FD #3523, #5075, #3185, #3349, #3705 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. Brooke Sheridan: It was love at first sight. Ryan's lawyers argued that gave Bo plenty of time to plant it. It was part of town gossip that they had gotten into an argument after Marcus had come back to town earlier than expected that October. Ryan Duke testified he drove from Fitzgerald to Ocilla in an unsuccessful attempt to return Grinstead's wallet, and he left Bo Dukes in the trailer. Anthony Batson is the senior broadcast producer. Dana Wilder: I never thought it was somebody from our community. Both men are awaiting trial in a neighboring county on charges related to burning Tara's body. John McCullough: And it had this very, you know, attractive woman on it. Ryan Dukes Aiken, - MICHAEL RYAN DUKES, 43, died April 26, 2018.A native and lifelong resident of Aiken, Ryan was a son of the late Kenneth Michael Dukes and Vicki Heilig Dukes. Let others know about your loved one's death. There was a 34-hour gap between when someone last saw her and when officers performed that welfare check on Monday morning. I can still see her standing at the door. I ran. Another main focus on Tuesday was the glove found just outside Grinsteads home. Another video shown shows Duke leading investigators to where he says he dumped and burned her body. I know who killed Tara Grinstead or had a part of it. Ryan Duke said he was afraid of Bo Dukes, who repeatedly told him not to talk about Tara Grinstead. The talented signer was named Miss Tifton and competed in the Miss Georgia beauty pageant. I am so sorry. But back in 2005, authorities either missed or ignored a tip that may have solved the case. For years, Marcus Harper lived under a cloud some might say a thunderstorm of suspicion. A native and lifelong resident of Aiken, Ryan was a son of the late Kenneth Michael Dukes and Vicki Heilig Dukes. Authorities couldn't explain either, and collected them as evidence the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, known as the GBI, was called in. He was there with his brother, Stephen, and their friends, Bo Dukes and Ben McMahan. 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. They argued Duke was not responsible for her death but solely helped Bo Dukes dispose of the body, alleging that Bo Dukes was the mastermind behind the crime. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Aiken SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare (www.letlovelive.org) or the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org). Maria Woods Harber: She's been an inspiration. And she snuck up on me and I hit her. And this time, the whole world seemed to be listening. Jannis Paulk: She was dating, I think, more than people realized that she was dating. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. She would never leave her kids. 2023 FOX Television Stations, jury found Ryan Duke not guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and burglary, state and defense attorneys wrapped up their closing arguments. At the time, Ryan Duke and Bo Dukes were 21 years old. Ryan Duke took the stand Tuesday and immediately denied murdering Grinstead, claiming he didn't know how she died. None of the insurance products promoted at this sales event are endorsed by those organizations, all of which offer free advice to veterans about how to qualify and apply for benefits. I can't imagine the loss of a child. The family of Tara Grinstead got a chance to address the jury before the judge gave Ryan Duke a maximum sentence after he was found guilty of concealing the body of Tara Grinstead. "That was a presumption that we should have never, ever made, but it happened, and it's my fault," Rothwell said. "(Bo Dukes) reaches down, he grabs her arm and flips her over," Ryan Duke said. Looking at Ryans life, there isnt much of criminal history. Ryan Duke testified he saw Tara. He pleaded not guilty. As their relationship evolved, Brooke sensed that something seemed to be eating away at Bo. we have made an arrest.". Visitation: Friday, Feb. 17th from 4 - 8 p.m. at B.E. They wanted the state to fund the expenses for people like private investigators and expert witnesses for Ryan. An Irwin County jury found Ryan Duke not guilty of murdering Georgia teacher and beauty queen Tara Grinstead. A native and lifelong resident of Aiken County, Cindy was a daughter of Vera Ballentine Dukes and the late Ernest Kenneth Dukes. The defense also called neighbors who provided testimony that supported a theory that Grinstead may have voluntarily left the home. 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. AIKEN, SC MICHAEL RYAN DUKES, 43, died April 26, 2018. Tara Grinstead's father was in the courtroom on Tuesday while Ryan Duke was questioned. TROY - Penny A. Ryan, 64 . Roland & Karol Kay Hoffman. A native of Concord, NC, Vicki was a daughter of the late David Leon and Mamie Rae. A native and lifelong resident of Aiken, Ryan was a son of the late Kenneth Michael Dukes and Vicki Heilig Dukes. That was after investigators finally reached out to John McCullough. Eventually, a breakthrough tip came around, and two men were arrested in relation to the Tara case. But when he took the witness stand during his trial, he insisted he was innocent. Prosecutors said Duke took law enforcement to the pecan orchard where he confessed to burning and dumping Grinstead's body. View The Guestbook For Ryan Dukes of Aiken, South Carolina. Brown & Co. Mortuary. Marcus Harper: What they're sayin' at the local grocery store, and at the local restaurants They don't think that it's gettin' to someone who's my family or my friend? So, he went to trial hoping jurors might show mercy for a man who had already confessed to his role in the crime. Published by Mobile Register and Baldwin County from Feb. 15 to Feb. 17, 2023. AIKEN, SC - MICHAEL RYAN DUKES, 43, died April 26, 2018. IRWIN COUNTY, Ga. - An emotionaltrial in Irwin Countyconcluded Monday with a judge sentencing Ryan Duke to the maximum sentence of 10 years in prison - with five years already served. Jannis Paulk [emotional]: It just brings up a lot. Yet both these demands were denied by the court. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Ryan Dukes Obituary Remember Ryan Dukes. John McCullough: He was like, "yeah, do you remember that bulletin that you had asked me about with that girl on it?" It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. Then, there was Tara's ex-boyfriend, Marcus Harper. It was very hard to grasp. her main goal was to win Miss Georgia or at least to get to Miss Georgia, and she did. However, we had a glove, a latex glove that we couldn't explain. Peter Van Sant: And what is it about him that you love? Ryan worked at a plastics manufacturing plant, while Bo would occasionally work at his family's pecan farm. 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.". But back then, Bo denied everything. Ryan testified he had never even gone to Tara's house, and the glove was only discovered there on Monday by Tara's neighbors over a day after she went missing. Unless you are experienced as an estate executor, you probably should hire an attorney. It's kind of odd, isn't it? Ryan William Drakes, age 40, of DeSoto passed away on Wednesday, August 4, 2021. BO DUKES [GBI interview]: We drove back into the back, and he showed me where her body was. "We will always hate what this defendant did to Tara and to the people who loved her," she said. Rumors swirled about that cop whose card was found at Tara's house. Ryan Duke took the stand Tuesday and immediately denied murdering Grinstead, claiming he didn't know how she died. But the prosecution said they hard evidence: audio and video of Ryan confessing to killing Tara, when he spoke to the GBI back in 2017. Praying for your family have strength. Outside, in front of Tara's house, authorities found something that didn't seem to belong a latex glove. An Irwin County Probate judge declared Grinstead dead in absentia in December 2010. The state's witness called Grinstead's 79-year-old father, Billy Grinstead, to the stand, who broke down. And he said he threw his arms up just like this [shrugs her shoulders], "What are you gonna do?". But what about that latex glove with Ryan's DNA on it found in Tara's front yard? This is your truck, and this is your family's land," basically that was interpreted by Bo as a threat that we're partners now in this? He lived most his life in Aiken and worked as a procedures writer at the Savannah River Site. He was a graduate of Aiken High School and received his bachelor's degree from USC Aiken. Its a piece from the side here," Good said. A DNA sample from Ryan Duke was a perfect match. Mr. Dukes online guest book may be signed at www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Tuesday evening at SHELLHOUSE-RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 715 E. PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC Sign Guestbook Name: He was a classic muscle car enthusiast with a passion for Chevy Impalas. GBI AGENT: So, you immediately see this and you're like "what in the hell did you do? Now, it was Brooke's turn to be tormented by a terrible secret. "You should be punished according - not for murder, not for burglary, not for aggravated assault, because that's the way the system works. Then, in 2017, a woman came forward with a remarkable story about her boyfriend but could it be trusted? "It should be an opening when we cremated her. At his sentencing, Tara Grinstead's stepmother Connie addressed the court: CONNIE GRINSTEAD: He knew she wasn't ever coming back. He was the owner operator of Dukes Tax Service and Taxxman Payroll Solutions. Bo Dukes is serving 25 years for concealing her death, hindering the apprehension of a criminal, and lying to investigators. On March 1, 1969, he met Sandra Hageman on a . Please join us in Loving, Sharing and Memorializing Ryan Dukes on this permanent online memorial. Ohio Residents: Neptune Society is affiliated with Okerwall Funeral Home. Defense attorneys began to call witnesses of their own Monday when the state prosecutors rested their case after over a week of arguments. She says the lawyers discussed pushing the trial into next March, but Judge Reinhardt hasn't signed an order confirming that. Ryan was thus sentenced to 10 years behind bars, which he currently seems to be serving. the judge said. The state focused on Ryan Duke's 2017 recorded confession to GBI agents. Zion Baptist Church, 1012 Adams St. View the obituary at www.BEBrownCo.com. Marcus was often overseas, and though they had broken up by the fall of 2005, friends say Tara was distraught about the relationship ending. He was a graduate of A Brooke Sheridan says she encouraged Bo Dukes to tell his story to investigators. John 3:16 Sending love and prayers for the Duke family! I thought he was out of his mind. Ashley Hinkle, a forensic biologist with the State Crime Lab testified she swabbed the glove in June 2015. Jannis Paulk: There were people who believed she ran away. Ryan Duke's attorneys believe their client's testimony was key in this case. Your family's land." PROSECUTION: The man in THAT chair, confessed to the murder of Tara Grinstead. Peter Van Sant: One said she had clothes on, the other said she did not. A jury found Ryan Duke not guilty of murder but guilty of concealing her body. 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. He testified he could tell the body was a woman's, wearing a t-shirt and some type of jogging pants. I didn't mean to.". Not guilty of malice murder and he was acquitted of all charges relating to Tara's murder convicted only of concealing her death. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. I didn't believe him. Call Call. Gary Rothwell [2008]: It is one of the most extensive investigations undertaken by the GBI. Send simple, comforting meals with Home Chef. Tara's cell phone was charging inside the house. I'm not gonna shy away to the fact that I was I was bitter. Duke said he was on drugs at the time he broke into Grinstead's Ocilla home and doesnt remember how exactly he killed her. ", 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 . The defense argued Duke was on pain pills and not in his right mind when he made the confession. Jannis, who ran a local web design company, became an expert on the case keeping a close watch since Tara was reported missing. John McCullough says he is still haunted by painful memories of being ignored by investigators. Bo Dukes comes from a prominent family that owned a huge pecan orchard in the Ocilla area. Back in 2008 Van Sant spoke with Special Agent Gary Rothwell. Bo told Brooke that Ryan stole his pickup truck that night and used it to transport Tara's body to a remote part of a pecan orchard farmed by Bo's family. The agent asks Bo his first reaction when he went to the orchard with Ryan. "There was a profile that matched a toothbrush of Tara Grinstead and there was an unknown male profile," Hinkle said. "As hes doing that he started getting emotional and said, She was so small, referring to the size of her in his arms,". The alleged drug addict was arrested once for a DUI in 2010 but was released on bond. The trial of the man accused of killing Tara Grinstead 16 years ago has been pushed back into 2022. Jannis Paulk: there were several people, several men, who got a lot of scrutiny for a long time . She had a lot of life ahead of her. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.nationalcremation.com/location/irving- for the Drakes family. Browse Atlanta Journal-Constitution obituaries, conduct other obituary searches, offer condolences/tributes, send flowers or create an online memorial. "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant first reported on this story in 2008 almost three years after Tara Grinstead went missing.