"Two men who had no regard for a beautiful, loving person took her life. 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.". 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. Ocilla Police Chief Billy Hancock called theGeorgia Bureau of Investigationto help. AGENT GARY ROTHWELL: It is something we should've followed up, but we we didn't. Duke is to be sentenced Monday. In an exchange, the state asked Duke if he would lie when the stakes were high. 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. "He actually made the motion in the interview and put his hands up like this mimicking how he held her body," GBI Agent Jason Shoudel said. And for the first time, everyone heard Bo's own account when his GBI interview was played in court: BO DUKES [GBI video interview]: He told me he had killed Tara Grinstead. And I was like, "Yeah." John McCullough: I'm glad somebody's finally listening. Make a life-giving gesture. I can still see her standing at the door. Pallbearers will be Ryan Dukes, Jeffery Dukes, Evan Darr, Zac Buckner, Chris McGee, Chad Polatty and James Whittle. All rights reserved. A date was set to start Ryan Dukes trial, but a hitch came when his lawyers filed an emergency appeal to halt it. They went to the orchard one other time for a part in November 2005. RYAN DUKE: He starts laughing at me. Celebrate the life of Ryan Drakes, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information. At night, Tara studied for a specialist degree in school administration, but other parts of her life hadn't come together as she'd hoped. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. Peter Van Sant and Mary Woods Harber in front of Tara Grinstead's Ocilla home. View The Obituary For Ryan Dukes of Aiken, South Carolina. In 1999, Tara Grinstead won the Miss Tifton pageant, which landed her a spot at the 1999 Miss Georgia competition. Ohio Residents: Neptune Society is affiliated with Okerwall Funeral Home. Sign up for service and obituary updates. Bo confessed all of this to Brooke, who stuck with him. TROY - Penny A. Ryan, 64 . Show Your Sympathy to the Family. He lit her on fire. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. last opportunity to present witnesses as a rebuttal. And as they were driving around town, a billboard caught his eye. | All testimonials are written by persons unlicensed and not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm or conduct a funeral. Weeks later she called the GBI to turn in the boyfriend she loved. Jannis Paulk also spoke to the GBI in 2008 as the agency was reviewing the case. But police noted that her purse and keys were missing. There was no other option. He was the owner operator of Dukes Tax Service and Taxxman Payroll Solutions. Jannis, who ran a local web design company, became an expert on the case keeping a close watch since Tara was reported missing. I am so sad to hear of the passing of John Dukes a co - worker and friend. Therefore, on May 20, 2022, the jury only found him guilty of concealing a death he was acquitted of every other count. Ryan's lawyers argued that gave Bo plenty of time to plant it. 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. Mobile Register and Baldwin County Homepage. "Its a portion of the human cranium. And she told them about her employee's tip three years earlier regarding Bo Dukes and Ryan Duke. I didn't believe him. Yet both these demands were denied by the court. Texas Residents: For additional information regarding prepaid funeral contracts, please visit the website www.prepaidfunerals.texas.gov which is maintained by the Texas Department of Banking. The document claims that later, he used a payphone to see if shed pick up, and when she didnt, he was convinced that she was dead. Send simple, comforting meals with Home Chef. A native and lifelong resident of Aiken, Ryan was a son of the late Kenneth Michael Dukes and Vicki Heilig Dukes. Bo Dukes is serving 25 years for concealing her death, hindering the apprehension of a criminal, and lying to investigators. 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. Had to tell my alibi, you know, or where was I at, who I was around. He's the uncle of Bo Dukes. he's very shut shut off emotions, feelings he doesn't talk about. On Monday, the state rested its case, but not before calling GBI agents and a forensic specialist to the stand. "What happened in this orchard was senseless" says Woods Harber of her best friend. John K. Dukes, Jr. Mar. Brooke Sheridan: It was something very dark and I I chalked it up to, you know, serving his time in the military. Ryan William Drakes, age 40, of DeSoto passed away on Wednesday, August 4, 2021. No services are scheduled at this time. Peter Van Sant: Why would Ryan Duke have murdered Tara Grinstead? 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. Brooke Sheridan: I had to tell some I had to tell. If convicted of murder, Duke faces an automatic sentence of life in prison. 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. Bo was sentenced to 25 years in prison. AIKEN, SC - Vicki Heilig Dukes, 65, died Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. He recalled that moment. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. An Irwin County jury returned "Not Guilty" verdicts on five of the six charges Ryan Duke faced related to the disappearance and death of former Irwin County teacher Tara Grinstead, acquitting him of her 2005 murder on Friday, May 20, 2022. It was in 2017 when Bo Dukes came out about his involvement in the case and even pointed the finger at Ryan. The door was locked. Maria Woods Harber: This is where Tara Grinstead lived in 2005. This program is not financed by or connected in any manner with any governmental agency or veteran's or other organization. On Sunday, Tara's mom called her several times, but Tara didn't answer. Michael Dukes of Aiken, South Carolina April 10, 1950 - March 30, 2017. As Jannis recalls, early on, suspicion focused on the men in Tara's life. He lived most his life in Aiken and worked as a procedures writer at the Savannah River Site. Ryan Duke Trial Day 7 Recap. AIKEN, SC - MICHAEL RYAN DUKES, 43, died April 26, 2018. The defense argued that Ryan's former best friend, Bo Dukes, was the man responsible for Grinstead's death throughout the trial. Tara Faye Grinstead was the youngest child of Bill and Faye Grinstead, born in 1974. Leave a memory or share a photo below to show your support. Prosecutors asked Rothwell why no one followed up on a tip naming Ryan Duke and Bo Dukes as suspects. Oregan Residents: Please note that in the State of Oregon, Funeral Board Rule 830-040-0000(3) requires our trade name include the identification of our funeral activity or function. In total, there were more than 40 witnesses and 300 pieces of evidence presented in the case. AIKEN, SC MICHAEL RYAN DUKES, 43, died April 26, 2018. When the court denied this request, they took it to the Georgia Supreme Court, which said that they did not have jurisdiction over it, and the matter was sent back to Judge Reinhardt, who had originally presided over the case. John McCullough maintains he tried to get investigators a key tip in 2007 that could have cracked the case. Brooke Sheridan: We actually met on Tinder. In his own recorded words, Duke walked GBI investigators through how he killed, burned and buried Tara Grinstead. He is extremely intelligent. 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. 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). "Approximately 20 bone fragments that could be considered human bones.". Prosecutors said Duke took law enforcement to the pecan orchard where he confessed to burning and dumping Grinstead's body. As their relationship evolved, Brooke sensed that something seemed to be eating away at Bo. she was seeing other people. Marcus Harper: Somebody pulled me to the side, and they were like, "Listen, you know, there's been some things said bringin' up your military past, bringin' up how you're Trained to kill" . She was radiant. And wish I could have been there whenever it happened so that way, I could do something [emotional]. California Residents: California FD #1289, #1309, #1359, #2031 But there is no question that in her short and impactful life, Tara Grinstead touched people in rare ways even those who never met her, like John McCullough. He said, "I don't know why he did it.". Bo was facing a maximum 25-year sentence. Ryan Duke took the stand Tuesday and immediately denied murdering Grinstead, claiming he didn't know how she died. John McCullough: If there wasn't multiple police officers that were inside the courtroom on the day that I testified on the stand, I probably would have ripped him apart with my hands. They laid out the evidence collected at Grinsteads property just following her disappearance. "You should be punished according - not for murder, not for burglary, not for aggravated assault, because that's the way the system works. He was a classic muscle car enthusiast with a passion for Chevy Impalas. For around 6 years, Tara Grinstead dated Marcus Harper, a former Ocilla cop who joined the Army Rangers. And that was corroborated. GBI Agent Jason Shoudel was on the stand to testify. She was a member of Millbrook Baptist Church. It was an opening like that. Ryan Duke testified he went to help Bo Dukes load wood into his truck and move Grinstead's body. Interment will follow in Southlawn Cemetery. Its a piece from the side here," Good said. Ryan Duke had told investigators in 2017 he killed Tara Grinstead and helped burn her body. "I asked them what they thought happened to Tara, and they said they killed her and burned her," Latt said. McCullough wasn't ready for what Bo would say next. Jannis Paulk [emotional]: It just brings up a lot. Ryan said he was afraid Bo would hurt him or his family. 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. After the defense rested their case, the state got the last opportunity to present witnesses as a rebuttal. The defense argued the validity of the report and test. My condolences to the family. Maria Woods Harber: She was such a good person She just didn't deserve it. Then, more than 11 years after Tara disappeared, Brooke Sheridan came out of nowhere with her account about not only Bo Dukes but his friend Ryan Duke. Ryan Duke took the stand Tuesday and immediately denied murdering Grinstead, claiming he didn't know how she died. And the reason he knew she wasn't coming back, is because he had put load after load of wood on her body and burned her. SHELLHOUSE RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC. GBI AGENT: So, by Friday, there's nothing left? The defense was up first and focused on the inconsistencies in the state's presentation. For years, Marcus Harper lived under a cloud some might say a thunderstorm of suspicion. The defense argued the prosecution has no evidence tying Duke to the house that night and Duke's confession was made under the influence of medication. Jannis Paulk even created a website to help authorities collect information. On March 1, 1969, he met Sandra Hageman on a . Funeral Home Services for Ray are being provided by Alexander Funeral Home, Inc. - Charlotte. Visitation: Friday, Feb. 17th from 4 - 8 p.m. at B.E. 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. Maria Woods Harber:and then her bed was unmade, like she had been in the bed. Marcus Harper: I was swabbed for DNA. I'm so sick of this stealing from her purse. Years passed, and the GBI said Tara Grinsteads case never "turned cold." GBI agents have also said DNA matching both Duke and Grinstead was found on a latex glove discovered in her yard. John McCullough: Yeah and we were pretty close. 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. Tillitski testified that Duke was sleep-deprived and there were drugs in his system when he confessed in 2017. Your family's land." Down to about 20 fragments of bone. we all wanted to do something that we could do to help There were flyers. Grinstead, an Irwin County High School teacher, went missing in October 2005. Both men are awaiting trial in a neighboring county on charges related to burning Tara's body. Unless you are experienced as an estate executor, you probably should hire an attorney. BO DUKES [GBI interview]: Again, I didn't believe him he asked me to come with him out to to the pecan orchard. Brown & Co. Mortuary. They wanted the state to fund the expenses for people like private investigators and expert witnesses for Ryan. The defense questioned Duke about his life and relationship with Bo Dukes. Ray Dukes passed away on January 15, 2022 at the age of 37 in CHARLOTTE, North Carolina. 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. View The Guestbook For Ryan Dukes of Aiken, South Carolina. But again, as far as she knew, it went nowhere. The case generated hundreds of tips over the years. Browning had been the last . Police found her car seat in position for someone taller, and police said they found an envelope with $100 in cash on the dashboard. Dana Wilder: As little girls, we looked up to her she was famous. That's according to Lindsey Forshee, administrator for the Tift Judicial Circuit. Peter Van Sant: Did he have names of who these two men were who claimed they had killed Tara? Marcus enlisted with the Army Rangers and spent time overseas. John 3:16 Sending love and prayers for the Duke family! He said Bo Dukes admitted to killing her. And it wasn't the only one overlooked. Jannis Paulk: We shared that tip with the local sheriff's department. BRAD RIGBY | PROSECUTOR: This case is about Bo's lies, lies that lasted from 2005 to 2016. Cind Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. I thought he was out of his mind. The state and defense attorneys wrapped up their closing arguments earlier in the day. View Obituaries Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home, Inc. and Shellhouse-Rivers Crematory Ryan Dukes August 23, 1974 - April 26, 2018. Dana Wilder: She just took me underneath her wing She taught me the ins and outs of interviews, hair and makeup, wardrobe. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Ryan Duke took the stand Tuesday and immediately denied murdering Grinstead, claiming he didn't know how she died. On the glove they not only identified Tara's DNA, but that of an unknown male. A DNA sample from Ryan Duke was a perfect match. Bo Dukes shares details of what happened to Tara Grinstead with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. A devoted husband and grandfather, Duane was born on May 1, 1950, in South Gate, California, the son of Edwin and Florann (Boisseau) Dukes. Vicki Heilig Dukes. Q: Did you see Miss Grinstead's body after she died? She would never leave her kids. John McCullough: He had told me that his friend accidentally strangled her and he needed help getting rid of the body so that way there was nothing to find. Additional Legal Information Regarding Veterans Offerings, CloseAdditional Legal Information Regarding Veterans Offerings, Subscribe to the 12 Weeks of Peace E-Newsletter, Subscribe to the Thinking Ahead E-Newsletter, A Guide to Cremation and Burial for Veterans, Unique Ways to Memorialize Cremation Ashes, A Complete Guide for When A Loved One Passes, The Essential Veteran Death Benefits and Memorialization Guide, California Residents Goods and Services Info. Sending my condolences to Mrs. Wendy and her sons. 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 was a . At one. The judge dismissed one of the jurors he says was sleeping throughout the trial. However, the family eventually hired a private investigator. Two months later, in February 2007, McCullough says he called three police departments in Georgia including Ocilla, where he left a voice message saying: John McCullough: "This is John McCullough. 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: . But McCullough wasn't the only witness who gave details about Tara's death. Tara's car was parked in the driveway. Maria Woods Harber: Tara had a boyfriend for a long time And during the summer of 2005, they broke up. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. Another video shown portrayed Duke leading investigators to the pecan orchard he claims he took the lifeless body. BRYAN DUKES OBITUARY. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. They found him guilty of one charge: concealing Grinstead's death. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.nationalcremation.com/location/irving- for the Drakes family. Anthony Batson is the senior broadcast producer. He pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. Garlan says after he reported this to Jannis Paulk, he was never formally interviewed by anyone from law enforcement. 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. Ryan worked at a plastics manufacturing plant, while Bo would occasionally work at his family's pecan farm. Peter Van Sant: What time did she go home? 2005 to 2016 to make funeral arrangements, embalm or conduct a funeral would Ryan Duke told! Portrayed Duke leading investigators to the orchard one other time for a part in November.... Charge: concealing Grinstead 's Ocilla Home 've followed up, but simply description. 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