"I cant lie. Maria Woods Harber: She's been an inspiration. 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. A full skeleton. "It was built out in the area where there just should not have been a fire," Hudson said. Jannis Paulk: Ocilla is a big family. I told him, you know, leave me alone . 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. 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. The trial of the man accused of killing Tara Grinstead 16 years ago has been pushed back into 2022. Bo Dukes shares details of what happened to Tara Grinstead with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Hudson said at the time he thought the burn site was an innocent bonfire. Read More Published In Last Name "Dixon". I am so sad to hear of the passing of John Dukes a co - worker and friend. Tara didn't bring home the Miss Georgia crown, but just competing was a huge achievement says Dana Wilder, who grew up in Ocilla. May the holy spirit comfort you in this time of bereavement. Forward to Family & Friends; Print; Contact Support; Upgrade; Death Certificates; Share This Obituary. 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. NEW ELLENTON, SC -- CYNTHIA SUSAN DUKES DARR, 52, died Sunday, October 9, 2011 at her residence. Brooke Sheridan: We actually met on Tinder. He was there with his brother, Stephen, and their friends, Bo Dukes and Ben McMahan. Maria Woods Harber: She was an excellent teacher. 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. Ryan Duke was sentenced to 10 years in prison for concealing the death of Tara Grinstead. That boyfriend was Marcus Harper, a former cop from Ocilla. They believe Ryan Duke was the killer. He said Bo Dukes admitted to killing her. Dukes invited McCullough to Ocilla to spend Christmas with his family. 83 Peacefully passed away on February 23, 2023. He was the talk of Ocilla, Georgia, and none of it was good. While Reinhardt acknowledged that Duke seemed remorseful on the stand, he pointed out Dukes' decision to not tell anyone had an impact on Grinstead's family and friends. The defense said Bo Dukes' attorney indicated his client would invoke the 5th Amendment if called to testify. On Sunday, Tara's mom called her several times, but Tara didn't answer. 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. However, we had a glove, a latex glove that we couldn't explain. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. An interesting turn of events came when Ryans 11-page confession, where hed detailed everything thatd transpired on that fateful evening, came to light. Ryan Duke alibi: Tara Grinstead murder suspect now says he was asleep Caption Continuing Coverage By Alexis Stevens, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution March 14, 2019 The man accused of killing a. 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. Send a gift to a service or familys home. A native of Concord, NC, Vicki was a daughter of the late David Leon and Mam . "I asked them what they thought happened to Tara, and they said they killed her and burned her," Latt said. Yet both these demands were denied by the court. Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love. State and defense teams made their pitches to jurors and began examining witnesses. Born in Columbia, SC, Mike was a son of Vera Ballentine Dukes and the late Ernest Kenneth Dukes. Send simple, comforting meals with Home Chef. It's kind of odd, isn't it? In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. At his sentencing, Tara Grinstead's stepmother Connie addressed the court: CONNIE GRINSTEAD: He knew she wasn't ever coming back. Maria Woods Harber: She would never do that. 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. Maria Woods Harber: She was such a good person She just didn't deserve it. 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. Dukes is in prison for concealing Grinstead's death. "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. Searching obituaries is a great place to start your family tree research. Sign up for service and obituary updates. They think the community can heal, pointing the finger at Bo Dukes for the murder. SHELLHOUSE RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC. But who would want to harm this vibrant 30-year-old woman? Aiken, SC RYAN DUKES OBITUARY Ryan Dukes Aiken, - MICHAEL RYAN DUKES, 43, died April 26, 2018. Bo Dukes who years earlier had sat in Tara Grinstead's class was arrested and charged not with murder, but with concealing a death, hindering the apprehension of a criminal, and lying to investigators. Brooke Sheridan: I said, "You have to talk to me. 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. Prosecutors called two witnesses before dismissing the jury a lunchtime to debate how much of the Duke's confession could be shown. 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. AIKEN, SC - Kenneth Michael Dukes, 66, died Thursday, March 30, 2017 at his residence. John McCullough: I can't explain it [emotional]. 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. John McCullough: Yeah, Tara Grinstead, and said, you know, "missing.". For around 6 years, Tara Grinstead dated Marcus Harper, a former Ocilla cop who joined the Army Rangers. And she snuck up on me and I hit her. A devoted husband and grandfather, Duane was born on May 1, 1950, in South Gate, California, the son of Edwin and Florann (Boisseau) Dukes. The defense called a psychologist, Dr. Christopher Tillitski, who evaluated Ryan Duke in 2019. It was told to me when I was in Georgia. Ryan William Drakes Obituary. 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 . Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as: names, dates, place of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships. That tip went nowhere. 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. 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'm so sick of this stealing from her purse. I don't like to come very often she loved this place. As their relationship evolved, Brooke sensed that something seemed to be eating away at Bo. Gary Rothwell [2008]: It is one of the most extensive investigations undertaken by the GBI. At the time, Ryan Duke and Bo Dukes were 21 years old. . Marcus Harper: It was like a calling. Duke was convicted on the charge of Concealing a Death and was sentenced to the maximum punishment of . He said he lied to the GBI agent that interviewed him about breaking into Grinstead's house and fatal striking and choking her. The defense questioned Duke about his life and relationship with Bo Dukes. Sandra Lee Dukes Sandra Lee "flicka" Dukes passed away at home on January 27th 2019 under the care of Hospice and her loving family. He said, "I don't know why he did it.". The talented signer was named Miss Tifton and competed in the Miss Georgia beauty pageant. I know who killed Tara Grinstead or had a part of it. 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. Neptune Society is the largest provider of affordable cremation services in the nation. Duke is to be sentenced Monday. "(Bo Dukes) reaches down, he grabs her arm and flips her over," Ryan Duke said. The defense also called neighbors who provided testimony that supported a theory that Grinstead may have voluntarily left the home. Let others know about your loved one's death. Blogs; Online will; Shop. He pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. OCILLA, Ga. Editor's Note: The video in this story is archive footage from our coverage of the case in the mid-2010s. Ryan Duke took the stand Tuesday and immediately denied murdering Grinstead, claiming he didn't know how she died. Peter Van Sant: What did you see when you walked into her house? Ryan Duke said Bo Dukes had a wallet with Grinstead's driver's license. Both had been students at Tara's high school. And he asked me to help him get rid of her body. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The defense argued the validity of the report and test. But back in 2005, authorities either missed or ignored a tip that may have solved the case. Dana Wilder: She just took me underneath her wing She taught me the ins and outs of interviews, hair and makeup, wardrobe. "Any reason to continue this?" "Two men who had no regard for a beautiful, loving person took her life. 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. Dr. Fred W. Andrea III officiating. Gooding testified her team found finger, teeth and cranium bones in the area. Bo began with what he says Ryan told him the day after Tara disappeared. Jannis Paulk: That they had been at a party bragging about their involvement in Tara's disappearance and that ultimately, they had taken her body out to a pecan orchard and burn it in a firepit. 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