The couple broke things off but stayed in touch. 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. He was a graduate of Aiken High School and received his bachelor's degree from USC Aiken. Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 18th from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral hour at Mt. And what she had to say implicated a man whose name had repeatedly been given to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. SHELLHOUSE RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC, Share your thoughts and memories with family and friends of Ryan, Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home, Inc. and Shellhouse-Rivers Crematory, Shellhouse Funeral Home/Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home/Shellhouse-Rivers Crematory. GBI agents have also said DNA matching both Duke and Grinstead was found on a latex glove discovered in her yard. But no one in Ocilla knew what had happened when Tara seemingly vanished after leaving that barbecue on Saturday night, October 22. "You should be punished according - not for murder, not for burglary, not for aggravated assault, because that's the way the system works. Ryan Duke Trial Day 7 Recap. Ryan Duke's attorneys believe their client's testimony was key in this case. Defense appeals delayed Ryan Dukes trial since the original 2019 start date. AIKEN, SC - KENNETH MICHAEL DUKES, 66, died Thursday, March 30, 2017 at his residence. Ocilla Police Chief Billy Hancock called theGeorgia Bureau of Investigationto help. The last witness in the case was GBI Agent Mitchell Posey, who was brought in to prove Duke wasnt lying in his 2017 recorded confession, "The question was How did you identify Tara? The answer was The pictures on the wall," Posey said, "Ryan is the one talking about the G&G in front of it. Therefore, on May 20, 2022, the jury only found him guilty of concealing a death he was acquitted of every other count. AIKEN, SC - Kenneth Michael Dukes, 66, died Thursday, March 30, 2017 at his residence. OCILLA, Ga. Editor's Note: The video in this story is archive footage from our coverage of the case in the mid-2010s. And even when she no longer competed, Tara helped other women, like Dana, break into that world. I can't imagine the loss of a child. He denied that, but when asked why he lied to the GBI about killing Grinstead, Duke said, "I'm trying to make that right.". But McCullough was determined to get the truth out. But who would want to harm this vibrant 30-year-old woman? Maria Woods Harber: And the next morning I got a call saying that I need to get to Ocilla. Not a one. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. And I was like, "Yeah." John McCullough: Yeah, Tara Grinstead, and said, you know, "missing.". Grinstead, an Irwin County High School teacher, went missing in October 2005. Maria Woods Harber: I've had to come to a conclusion that I'm just gonna have to live the rest of my life not knowing. Back then, hardly anyone thought this case would ever be solved. Mike Dukes. 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. Who is he and where is he now? California Residents: California FD #1289, #1309, #1359, #2031 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. Grief Support. Finally, he cracked. Authorities couldn't explain either, and collected them as evidence the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, known as the GBI, was called in. But some things stuck out to Maria. Jurors heard the forensic analysis on that piece of evidence. Peter Van Sant: This is the murder of Tara Grinstead and there seemed to be little interest, is that right? Forward to Family & Friends; Print; Contact Support; Upgrade; Death Certificates; Share This Obituary. He lived most his life in Aiken and worked as a procedures writer at the Savannah River . BO DUKES [GBI interview]: Again, I didn't believe him he asked me to come with him out to to the pecan orchard. Zion Baptist Church, 1012 Adams St. View the obituary at www.BEBrownCo.com. In his own recorded words, Duke walked GBI investigators through how he killed, burned and buried Tara Grinstead. she was seeing other people. Lets find out. It was somethin' I felt like, you know, I had to do. Ryan's lawyers argued that gave Bo plenty of time to plant it. "That is a question that has bothered me for years," he said. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. Dukes is in prison for concealing Grinstead's death. "Mr. Dukes, do you plan to invoke your 5th amendment right to every question?" McCullough, now a manager at a water company in Texas, had met Bo Dukes at Army boot camp in 2006. Bo Dukes told investigators his friend, Ryan Duke, confessed he had accidentally killed Grinstead and needed his truck to transfer her body. Now the man accused of murdering Tara Ryan Duke would go on trial for murder almost 17 years after she went missing. Example video title will go here for this video. My deepest condolences to my church family, may God give you all the strength and peace during your time of sorrow. Peter Van Sant: And by Ryan saying to him, "Hey, buddy. Peter Van Sant: How did you and Bo Dukes meet? 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. Ryan Duke testified he saw Tara. The defense said Ryan was under the influence of painkillers at the time, and only took the blame because he was afraid of Bo. I mean, she had the biggest smile. Brooke Sheridan: Ryan Woke him up and said, "I killed Tara Grinstead.". The family will receive friends Thursday morning, May 3rd beginning at 10 oclock at Shellhouse Rivers Funeral Home. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison. A Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent testified at apretrial hearing that Duke "spontaneously and unsolicited" confessedto killing Grinstead after breaking into her home to steal money for drugs. 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.". John McCullough: I would say from the year of 2007 until 2016 I would probably say I reached out nine or 10 times to the GBI. In cross-examination, Rothwell added that he takes responsibility for the GBI lapse. It was told to me when I was in Georgia. "Ryan Duke, the man in that chair, confessed to the murder of Tara Grinstead," prosecutor Brad Rigby said. Another video shown portrayed Duke leading investigators to the pecan orchard he claims he took the lifeless body. Brooke Sheridan: I had to tell some I had to tell. Dr. Fred W. Andrea III officiating. Bo told her they moved Tara's body to a pit, where it took two days to burn, destroying all evidence. Sympathy Ideas. Dana Wilder: Ocilla was Tara's life. Visitation: Saturday, Feb. 18th from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral hour at Mt. 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. 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. 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. Ashley Hinkle, a forensic biologist with the State Crime Lab testified she swabbed the glove in June 2015. But back in 2005, authorities either missed or ignored a tip that may have solved the case. ". Duke was convicted on the charge of Concealing a Death and was sentenced to the maximum punishment of . "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. Born in Columbia, SC, Mike was a son of Vera Ballentine Dukes and the late Ernest Kenneth Dukes. I didn't know who he was. Leave your condolences to the family on this memorial page or send flowers to show you care. This program is not financed by or connected in any manner with any governmental agency or veteran's or other organization. Bo was facing a maximum 25-year sentence. Your family's land." More than a decade later, the GBI charged Duke -- her former student -- with killing her and hiding her body in a pecan orchard. Sandra Lee Dukes Sandra Lee "flicka" Dukes passed away at home on January 27th 2019 under the care of Hospice and her loving family. Michelle Feuer is the development producer. The defense questioned Duke about his life and relationship with Bo Dukes. Back in 2008 Van Sant spoke with Special Agent Gary Rothwell. And as they were driving around town, a billboard caught his eye. There are reports of him being put under suicide watch a few times, yet nothing too serious came out of the incidents. And that's where she wanted to stay and where she wanted to be. 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. Bo Dukes apologies to Tara Grinstead's family at his sentencing. Years passed, and the GBI said Tara Grinsteads case never "turned cold." Make a life-giving gesture. SMITHLAND -- D.V. "That was a presumption that we should have never, ever made, but it happened, and it's my fault," Rothwell said. She was a member of Millbrook Baptist Church. Jannis Paulk: There were people who believed she ran away. Find an Obituary. "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.". Your long suffering has been unimaginable. He is extremely intelligent. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? At one. ", 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 jury was left to decide if they believed what Ryan said in 2017, or his new version of events. The state's line of questioning tried to show the jury that Ryan Duke is capable of lying. And he said he threw his arms up just like this [shrugs her shoulders], "What are you gonna do?". Jannis Paulk: It was Bo Dukes and Ryan Duke. Updated on: May 24, 2022 / 10:33 AM Jannis Paulk [emotional]: It just brings up a lot. 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. His hope for mercy was dashed. Hudson said at the time he thought the burn site was an innocent bonfire. Tara didn't bring home the Miss Georgia crown, but just competing was a huge achievement says Dana Wilder, who grew up in Ocilla. 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