Connie Grinstead argued that the family pleaded and begged for any news about Tara for years and that Duke's "silence was deafening.". Ryan William Drakes, age 40, of DeSoto passed away on Wednesday, August 4, 2021. 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. Duke said he was on drugs at the time he broke into Grinstead's Ocilla home and doesnt remember how exactly he killed her. Superior Courts, Cordele Judicial Circuit. and that's nobody's business, but in this case, it made it tough. Peter Van Sant: This really affects you, though, talking about this. A native and lifelong resident of Aiken, Ryan was a son of the late Kenneth Michael Dukes and Vicki Heilig Dukes. If convicted of murder, Duke faces an automatic sentence of life in prison. A native and lifelong resident of Aiken, Ryan was a son of the late Kenneth Michael Dukes and Vicki Heilig Dukes. Aiken, SC RYAN DUKES OBITUARY Ryan Dukes Aiken, - MICHAEL RYAN DUKES, 43, died April 26, 2018. Another video shown shows Duke leading investigators to where he says he dumped and burned her body. Ryan Duke took the stand Tuesday and immediately denied murdering Grinstead, claiming he didn't know how she died. I definitely didn't wanna settle down in small town America. 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. Jannis Paulk: FindTara.com. In March 2019, in a county courthouse about 30 miles from where beloved teacher and beauty pageant mentor Tara Grinstead was murdered, Bo Dukes went on trial on charges relating to covering up her death. Brooke Sheridan: We actually met on Tinder. The defense argued Duke was on pain pills and not in his right mind when he made the confession. The judge dismissed one of the jurors he says was sleeping throughout the trial. Anthony Batson is the senior broadcast producer. GARLAN LOTT: I assumed it was handled by law enforcement, yes. Searching obituaries is a great place to start your family tree research. 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. He was a classic muscle car enthusiast with a passion for Chevy Impalas. Ryan William Drakes, age 40, of DeSoto passed away on Wednesday, August 4, 2021. PROSECUTION: The man in THAT chair, confessed to the murder of Tara Grinstead. 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.". And then, an important discovery. He said, "My roommate killed her.". Universal. Tara's cell phone was charging inside the house. All rights reserved. It was very hard to grasp. She says the lawyers discussed pushing the trial into next March, but Judge Reinhardt hasn't signed an order confirming that. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. He then allegedly struck her with his fist and ran away. Prosecutors played that videotape of Bo's interview with the GBI. ". Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Ryan Duke said he first started "hanging out" with Bo Dukes during his senior year of high school. Prosecutors asked Rothwell why no one followed up on a tip naming Ryan Duke and Bo Dukes as suspects. 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: NEW ELLENTON, SC -- CYNTHIA SUSAN DUKES DARR, 52, died Sunday, October 9, 2011 at her residence. "Its been a 17-year nightmare for them," Irwin County District Attorney Bryce Johnson said. 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. Brooke Sheridan: He said, "You've heard of the Tara Grinstead case?" And she was very distraught. Ryan Duke said he thought Bo Dukes was playing a joke on him, until he saw her corpse. The morning started with testimony from Bill Barrs with the Ocilla Police Department, who was tasked with checking Grinsteads home. However, his lawyers, who are working pro-bono, claimed that even in that situation, he should get his due of the funds to ensure a fair trial. The jury saw pictures from Fitzgerald Farms, where agents searched for Grinstead's remains in 2017. 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" . But what about that latex glove with Ryan's DNA on it found in Tara's front yard? Had to tell my alibi, you know, or where was I at, who I was around. 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. After the defense rested their case, the state got the last opportunity to present witnesses as a rebuttal. View The Guestbook For Ryan Dukes of Aiken, South Carolina. 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. Maybe because I'm a nobody. 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. I cried for days, couldn't sleep for days. AGENT GARY ROTHWELL: It is something we should've followed up, but we we didn't. Age. Jurors heard the forensic analysis on that piece of evidence. 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 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. Jannis Paulk: there were several people, several men, who got a lot of scrutiny for a long time . 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. Maria Woods Harber: She would never do that. An Irwin County Probate judge declared Grinstead dead in absentia in December 2010. In 1999, Tara Grinstead won the Miss Tifton pageant, which landed her a spot at the 1999 Miss Georgia competition. Following his wishes, there will be no. 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 when questioned about her disappearance, he had an alibi and was never charged. GBI Agent Jason Shoudel was on the stand to testify. They believe Ryan Duke was the killer. And I was like, "Yeah." They laid out the evidence collected at Grinsteads property just following her disappearance. However, the family eventually hired a private investigator. ", Duke's attorney's argued that he had been a "model prisoner" for five years while "waiting patiently for his day in court.". The defense had previously asked the judge to dismiss the case, an action that was quickly declined. McCullough wasn't ready for what Bo would say next. Leave your condolences to the family on this memorial page or send flowers to show you care. She had a lot of life ahead of her. 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 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. "We think the jury got it right, and we are very, very happy with the result," Defense Attorney Ashley Merchant said. Peter Van Sant: What time did she go home? It was a year after Tara's disappearance. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. The defense argued that Ryan's former best friend, Bo Dukes, was the man responsible for Grinstead's death throughout the trial. Authorities couldn't explain either, and collected them as evidence the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, known as the GBI, was called in. There were billboards. Peter Van Sant: What emotional impact does this have for you when you see this house? BO DUKES [GBI interview]: Again, I didn't believe him he asked me to come with him out to to the pecan orchard. The defense argued the case is about power and influence, which their client lacks. "Ryan Duke, the man in that chair, confessed to the murder of Tara Grinstead," prosecutor Brad Rigby said. Sign up for service and obituary updates. Peter Van Sant: One said she had clothes on, the other said she did not. It was updated on August 20, 2022.]. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. Tara Grinstead's father was in the courtroom on Tuesday while Ryan Duke was questioned. Read More Published In Last Name "Dixon". DEFENSE [closing arguments]: Bo Dukes should be on trial for the murder of Tara Grinstead, not Ryan. Her colleagues at the school where she worked called the Ocilla Police Department to check on the 11th-grade teachers home. Please join us in Loving, Sharing and Memorializing Ryan Dukes on this permanent online memorial. Peter Van Sant: Why do you think investigators ignored you? Brooke Sheridan says she encouraged Bo Dukes to tell his story to investigators. 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. AIKEN, SC - Vicki Heilig Dukes, 65, died Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. A DNA sample from Ryan Duke was a perfect match. An Irwin County jury read not guilty verdicts on five o the six charges against Duke: malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and burglary. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. 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. But no one in Ocilla knew what had happened when Tara seemingly vanished after leaving that barbecue on Saturday night, October 22. He graduated from Aiken High School in 1968 and was a . Garlan says after he reported this to Jannis Paulk, he was never formally interviewed by anyone from law enforcement. Who you can trust with your life? I didnt know what else to do," Ryan said. After college, Tara got a job at Ocilla's Irwin County high school, teaching 11th grade history. But again, as far as she knew, it went nowhere. she was seeing other people. The funeral will follow at 11 oclock in the chapel with The Rev. April 26, 2018 Aiken, South Carolina Set a Reminder for the Anniversary of Ryan's Passing. It was told to me when I was in Georgia. And wish I could have been there whenever it happened so that way, I could do something [emotional]. Dana Wilder: Ocilla was Tara's life. SHELLHOUSE RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC. The defense also called neighbors who provided testimony that supported a theory that Grinstead may have voluntarily left the home. Peter Van Sant: This is the murder of Tara Grinstead and there seemed to be little interest, is that right? A man named Ryan Duke was accused of the crime. He could have at least told us that, but he didn't. The returned to the orchard once, where the ashes looked like a small campfire. Ryan Duke was sentenced to 10 years in prison for concealing the death of Tara Grinstead. I don't understand that, just a disregard of human life. The defense said Bo Dukes' attorney indicated his client would invoke the 5th Amendment if called to testify. Gary Rothwell [2008]: It is one of the most extensive investigations undertaken by the GBI. Bo Dukes is serving 25 years for concealing her death, hindering the apprehension of a criminal, and lying to investigators. OBITUARY Ryan William Drakes April 23, 1981 - August 4, 2021. TROY - Penny A. Ryan, 64 . Brooke Sheridan: I had never connected with somebody and had fun with somebody like I have with him. Born in Columbia, SC, Mike was a son of Vera Ballentine Dukes and the late Ernest Kenneth Dukes. 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. He testified that Bo Dukes told him he had killed Tara Grinstead but Ryan did not know how she died. Small campfire he said, `` My roommate killed her. `` them, '' prosecutor Rigby. 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