Bo Dukes is serving 25 years for concealing her death, hindering the apprehension of a criminal, and lying to investigators. But McCullough wasn't the only witness who gave details about Tara's death. Maria Woods Harber: She was an excellent teacher. Sign the Guest Book. His former roommate and close friend was Ryan Duke. And the next month, Bo Dukes, who years earlier had sat in Tara's class was arrested and charged not with murder, but with concealing a death, hindering the apprehension of a criminal, and lying to investigators in is original GBI interview. He was a classic muscle car enthusiast with a passion for Chevy Impalas. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. Ryan Duke said he didn't know what he was talking about or believe him at first. Anita Gattis said her sister's disappearance threw her family into "an out-of-control spiral" that they've never escaped. The defense argued that Ryan's former best friend, Bo Dukes, was the man responsible for Grinstead's death throughout the trial. A native and lifelong resident of Aiken, Ryan was a son of the late Kenneth Michael. A DNA sample from Ryan Duke was a perfect match. JOHN DUKES OBITUARY John Lewis Dukes John Lewis Dukes, 64 of Monroe, Louisiana, an automotive service writer, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2015. Maria Woods Harber: Well, it's very emotional. Anthony Batson is the senior broadcast producer. But when questioned about her disappearance, he had an alibi and was never charged. Maria Woods Harber grew up with Tara. The defense called a psychologist, Dr. Christopher Tillitski, who evaluated Ryan Duke in 2019. First published on January 2, 2021 / 11:05 PM. Survivors include his grandmother, Vera Ballentine Dukes; aunts, Cheri McGee (Wayne), Debbie Wallace (David), all of Aiken, Linda Tinney (Mel), Pepin, WI, Pamela Clark (Rick), Ridgeville, SC; uncle, Jeff Dukes (Debbie), Aiken. BRYAN DUKES OBITUARY. Authorities couldn't explain either, and collected them as evidence the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, known as the GBI, was called in. Grief Support. A native and lifelong resident of Aiken, Ryan was a son of the late Kenneth Michael Dukes and Vicki Heilig Dukes. He said, "I don't know why he did it.". AGENT GARY ROTHWELL: It is something we should've followed up, but we we didn't. Both had been students at. Maria Woods Harber: Yes. 5260 Daniel J. Enea, Manager. John McCullough: And it had this very, you know, attractive woman on it. NEW ELLENTON, SC -- CYNTHIA SUSAN DUKES DARR, 52, died Sunday, October 9, 2011 at her residence. Another former student, Bo Dukes, is now serving a 25-year prison sentence for lying to the GBI and helping Duke bury her body. Texas FD #3523, #5075, #3185, #3349, #3705 Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 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? Who is he and where is he now? But in the same sense, I always thought, "Well, it has to be.". 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. He said he lied to the GBI agent that interviewed him about breaking into Grinstead's house and fatal striking and choking her. After a few drinks, McCullough says Bo began talking about Tara. And it wasn't the only one overlooked. Gary Rothwell [2008]: It is one of the most extensive investigations undertaken by the GBI. My deepest condolences to my church family, may God give you all the strength and peace during your time of sorrow. Ocilla Police Chief Billy Hancock called theGeorgia Bureau of Investigationto help. Ryan Duke said Bo Dukes had a wallet with Grinstead's driver's license. The trial comes after Bo Dukes, a high school friend of Ryan Duke, was convicted of concealing Grinstead's death, which led investigators to Ryan Duke. Duke's attorneys also focused on what they say is no evidence or DNA from their client found instead Grinstead's home. A native and lifelong resident of Aiken, Ryan was a son of the late Kenneth Michael Dukes and Vicki Heilig Dukes. In 2012 he was charged and convicted of stealing more than $150,000 worth of military supplies. The defense called him to the stand and, with his attorney standing next to him, he responded to each question with, "Under the advice of my council, I will be invoking my 5th Amendment right not to provide testimony today.". Universal. I didn't mean to.". They burned her body. That tip went nowhere. GBI AGENT: Of all the people, why Tara, what's the connection? The funeral will follow at 11 oclock in the chapel with The Rev. "I hope Mr. Duke lives the rest of his life begging God for forgiveness every day from his dying breath," she said before asking the court to give him the maximum sentence. But when he took the witness stand during his trial, he insisted he was innocent. That was after investigators finally reached out to John McCullough. Our prayer and sympathy are with the Dukes family ,may you find peace through pray, doing your time of grief. Ryan Duke testified he saw Tara Grinstead's body at the pecan orchard, where the Georgia Bureau of Investigation found her remains years later. And I was like, "Yeah." He later not only confided his secret to Bo but also asked for help to burn the body. Another video shown portrayed Duke leading investigators to the pecan orchard he claims he took the lifeless body. He denied that, but when asked why he lied to the GBI about killing Grinstead, Duke said, "I'm trying to make that right.". He looked like a person who was ready to do the right thing, but his testimony on the witness stand only seemed coached, well-rehearsed and sought self-serving benefits. . Peter Van Sant: This was the man she thought she'd build a life with. Combined services will be held at Antioch M.B.C., 2033 W. Congress Ave. on Saturday March. According to Bo Dukes, the two men took Bo's pickup truck and drove out of town onto a highway and pulled off onto a dirt road leading to the pecan orchard that's owned by Bo Dukes' family. 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. Duke said he never took Grinstead's belongings to police when he tried to return them. 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. In an exchange, the state asked Duke if he would lie when the stakes were high. Weeks later she called the GBI to turn in the boyfriend she loved. She did not want to end it. DEFENSE [closing arguments]: Bo Dukes should be on trial for the murder of Tara Grinstead, not Ryan. The alleged drug addict was arrested once for a DUI in 2010 but was released on bond. At one. John McCullough says he is still haunted by painful memories of being ignored by investigators. Duane Ray Dukes, age 70, of Bryan, Ohio, passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2020, in his home, surrounded by family, following a ten-month battle with cancer. Peter Van Sant: What were some of the theories as to what had happened to Tara? What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? The two who were friends had similar sounding names but weren't related. ", 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 . What to do during a tornado: Where is your safe spot. Dukes invited McCullough to Ocilla to spend Christmas with his family. Eventually, a breakthrough tip came around, and two men were arrested in relation to the Tara case. 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. focused on the investigators who have worked the case over the years. Maria Woods Harber: She would never do that. You have funeral questions, we have answers. Bo told her they moved Tara's body to a pit, where it took two days to burn, destroying all evidence. 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. Ryan Duke's attorneys believe their client's testimony was key in this case. And Bo Dukes himself spoke directly to Tara's family: BO DUKES: To the Tara Grinstead family, I'm truly sorry. Jannis, who ran a local web design company, became an expert on the case keeping a close watch since Tara was reported missing. And the one we didn't want to think about was somebody killed her. Investigators said Grinsteads car was in the driveway when police arrived at the home. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. GBI Agent Shoudel testified Duke knew what he was doing, and that Duke told investigators he was mentally and physically cognitive. "It was built out in the area where there just should not have been a fire," Hudson said. The door was locked. He was there with his brother, Stephen, and their friends, Bo Dukes and Ben McMahan. One witness, Heath Dykes, testified to having a relationship with Grinstead while his was married. He was the owner operator of Dukes Tax Service and Taxxman Payroll Solutions. He was a graduate of Aiken High School and received his bachelors degree from USC Aiken. Brooke Sheridan: I was felt like I was gonna be sick. Ryan Duke's murder trial was scheduled to start Oct 4 in Irwin County, Georgia, but lawyers in the case met with Judge Bill Reinhardt Wednesday and agreed to delay the case due to rising COVID-19 . The state argues in 2017 Duke was swabbed, and his DNA positively matched that found on the glove. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. / CBS News, [This story previously aired on September 4, 2021. I'm not gonna shy away to the fact that I was I was bitter. Find service information, send flowers, and leave memories and thoughts in the Guestbook for your loved one. A "panicked" Bo Dukes woke him up the following morning, Ryan Duke testified. Marcus Harper: It was like a calling. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. Brooke Sheridan: He said, "You've heard of the Tara Grinstead case?" Garlan says after he reported this to Jannis Paulk, he was never formally interviewed by anyone from law enforcement. Wide open space so the woods wouldnt catch on fire," Duke said while trying to find the location. AIKEN, SC - MICHAEL RYAN DUKES, 43, died April 26, 2018. McCullough wasn't ready for what Bo would say next. Need help? May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Cindy Susan Dukes Darr June 10, 1959 - October 9, 2011. An Irwin County jury found Ryan Duke not guilty of murdering Georgia teacher and beauty queen Tara Grinstead. Please contact your local Neptune Society office for cremation prices, and to learn more about our cremation service. The state's witness called Grinstead's 79-year-old father, Billy Grinstead, to the stand, who broke down. This event is not sponsored by, or affiliated with, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the California Department of Veterans Affairs, or any other congressionally chartered or recognized organization of honorably discharged members of the Armed Forces of the United States, or any of their auxiliaries. Several agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation also took the stand. He went looking for her the night she disappeared and sparked the search for the woman when he alerted authorities the next day. After the defense rested their case, the state got the last opportunity to present witnesses as a rebuttal. "(Bo Dukes) reaches down, he grabs her arm and flips her over," Ryan Duke said. RYAN DUKE: He starts laughing at me. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. RYAN DUKE [GBI interview played at trial]: I can't lie. The state says DNA later showed the glove did have his DNA on it. Soon after his arrest, Ryan Duke was indicted on the charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, burglary, and concealing the death of another, to all of which he pleaded not guilty. And it was about to get even more unsettled when at Ryan's murder trial he took the stand and recanted his confession, saying it was really Bo Dukes who killed Tara. For years, Marcus Harper lived under a cloud some might say a thunderstorm of suspicion. 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. Years passed, and the GBI said Tara Grinsteads case never "turned cold." 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.". For twelve years, the cops and private investigators tried to uncover the truth and bring the case to its deserved conclusion, but nothing came of it. In 2005, the disappearance of beloved high-school teacher Tara Grinstead sent shockwaves through the town of Ocilla, Georgia. Bo then gave his account of moving and then burning her body, which began on a Wednesday and took two days. Garland testifies before Senate panel amid ongoing special counsel probes, Colon cancer rates rising in younger age group, study finds, Firefighter dies battling blaze in downtown Buffalo, mayor says, Prosecution wraps its case at Alex Murdaugh murder trial, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students, Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment. They found him guilty of one charge: concealing Grinstead's death. we have made an arrest.". In cross-examination, Rothwell added that he takes responsibility for the GBI lapse. Funeral homes; Help and advice. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. Brooke Sheridan: I had to tell some I had to tell. 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. He said they had talked about getting together that Sunday, but Tara never answered her phone. Maria Woods Harber: They've gotten away with it for this many years anyway. Jannis Paulk: Ocilla is a big family. The funeral will follow at 11 oclock in the chapel with The Rev. Ryan Duke took the stand Tuesday and immediately denied murdering Grinstead, claiming he didn't know how she died. On Sunday, Tara's mom called her several times, but Tara didn't answer. Please join us in Loving, Sharing and Memorializing Ryan Dukes on this permanent online memorial. 1449 N Claiborne Ave New Orleans, LA KARLIN DUKES OBITUARY Karlin C. Dukes Sr., age 83, peacefully passed away surrounded by family on Monday, November 7, 2016. Its a piece from the side here," Good said. According to it, he broke into Taras house to steal money to buy drugs but was surprised by her when she suddenly came home. John McCullough: Yeah, Tara Grinstead, and said, you know, "missing.". Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.nationalcremation.com/location/irving- for the Drakes family. It was somethin' I felt like, you know, I had to do. Sign up for service and obituary updates. Brooke says she kept encouraging Bo to open up to talk about this dark subject that was destroying him. I can't live with myself. "There were some days that the heartache was so great we could barely even function," she said. Bo was facing a maximum 25-year sentence. 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