"This is their most popular shotgun.". asked Spencer. Court records show Sharon Smith filed an emergency order of protection against her husband on Aug. 22. Spencer asked. The Heidt family was widely respected in their community and the murders shocked townsfolk. "The gas fumes out by the road were just horrific," McDuffie recalled. "I told him that Carey had left and he asked me where he had gone and I said that he'd gone to, uh, his parents and he said, 'OK,'" said Robin. The call came in about 8:45 p.m. City police were joined by Effingham County sheriff's deputies and Illinois state troopers at the scene, where they were . "And he's looked me right straight in the eye, and said, 'No, momma, I did not do this. Spencer asked. He does not have a cold blooded heart. The married pair then got into an argument, and he left to spend the night at his parents. Sunday evening, the former Mason resident carried out his threat, fatally shooting both his estranged wife and mother-in-law before turning the gun on himself. Chris says a shotgun would have to be held at a ridiculous angle to get those bruises and Craig knew betterbut in the heat of murder? [This story was originally broadcast on Jan. 7. "I knew Philip ever since I came to the county back in probably '87, '88"the sheriff said. Crime & Public Safety. I know my child. He claimed he had fallen out of the shower and fallen over a toilet. Linda Heidt survived her injuries and managed that morning to call 911 for help. The protection request also reports Sharons swimming pool had been slashed with a knife. "It's amazing that she did survive because, basically, it looks like she was left for dead," said Downs. Chyenne was taken to the Effingham County Jail. "He knew somethin' that very few people knew and that is the location and presence of another keyan outside keywhich people commonly have," he said. Her eyes got really wide. NBC's 'Dateline: Mystery in Effingham County' is an episode that explores a case of lust and greed that shook the state of Georgia to its core. Could she identify the killer? Other 08/13/2021 6:34 AM 123 SESAME ST. Other 08/13/2021 6:34 AM 124 CONCH ST. Other 08/13/2021 6:34 AM 42 WALLABY WAY. The Heidt family was widely respected in their community and the murders shocked townsfolk. ", 'He wanted the big house. The Heidt clan was turning out just as its patriarch had hoped. That happensbut an affair with your husband's brother? McDuffie did, however, within three days of the deaths let the public know it was believed they had no reason to be afraid -- in other words, the Heidts were the target. Nora Wilfred. The judge sentenced Craig Heidt to the maximum: Two life terms plus 85 years, making parole almost impossible. Despite her husband and children, who were 10, seven and three at the time, she continued the relationship. Crime Rate. The verdict was guilty. Investigators weren't so sure. "People just -- sometimes these things happen and people get divorced. For Muldrew, the key to the case against Craig is, quite literally, a key. Nine months after the Heidt family murders came bombshell news: Craig Heidt was about to marry Robin, his dead brother's wife. So Howard asked Craig to take off his shirt. Robin admits she made the first move on her brother-in-law, Craig. Juror #11: The first vote I had voted not guilty. "Yeah, um, we were really good friends in the beginning and realized that I was in love with Careyand not long after high school we got married. But privately a jury heard something else. Among the 2017 arrests 11 were made for violent crime charges. Craig Heidt never took the stand. Photo: Effingham County Sheriff's Office. Wed, Apr 20, 2011 60 mins A teenage mom and her circle of friends become involved in a strange murder case in California. Juror #9: I was leaning toward a guilty vote, but you know I guess I wanted to make sure that we looked at everything as closely as we possibly could. "No," Howard replied. Finally, in May 2009, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation made its move, arresting Craig Heidt for the murder of his brother. Heidt Trial Exhibit List by savannahnow.com on Scribd, Heidt Jury Verdict, Sentence by savannahnow.com on Scribd, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Juror #9: Robin Heidt was a manipulative person who stopped at nothing to get what she wanted. "Craig doesn't just instantly occur to you?" "He later said that his boots were missin'. Asked if she could you identify the person, Linda told Spencer, "I didn't see a face or anything. Box 586 Effingham, IL 62401 Phone: (217) 342-4065 Fax: (217) 342-6183 Are Effingham County Court Records Public? He had intended to light their home on fire as well but fled upon hearing the call. "How do you interpret that? Carey was understandably upset, but he decided that he wanted to work things out instead of walking away. "I'm sure at the time he wrote the letter he hoped that this might somehow resolve itself so that the family hadn't torn apart," said Prosecutor Michael Muldrew. "They're all three pretty different, yeah. Craig had an eye on his share of his father's estate and a $3.5 million life insurance policy on Carey Heidt's life. "His father and grandfather used to . Craig Heidt insisted the bruises came not from a shotgun, but from a freak fall -- a misstep in the shower that sent him headfirst over the toilet. Over the last 1 1/2 years, Jerry has been told to stop with the abuse or I would file for divorce, Sharon Smith wrote. A prostitute at the time of her death, Nora had been stabbed multiple times and some of her clothing, along with her handbag, was missing. Ultimately, though, it came to light that their other son, Philip Craig Heidt, was the assailant. They had values and they believed in each other. ", "It did not," she replied. In the request, Sharon reported numerous calls from her estranged husband from Aug. 15 through 17 in which Jerry allegedly threatened her, stating he will get even with me.. His mother and brother stand by him, but if Craig Heidt thinks his former lover and sister-in-law is still with him, he's about to get a nasty shock. "I did 'cause the Craig Heidt that I know couldn't commit such an act," she replied. Murder just didn't fit with the seemingly perfect family the sheriff knew so well too well for him to oversee the case, he decided. His attorney said that no physical evidence was presented at the trial that directly connected Craig to the crime scene. Investigators checked the alibi of a local drug dealer, but quickly ruled him out. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation took the lead in investigating at the request of Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie, who knew Philip Heidt well. "He pointed out to the officer that was present, that was doin' security, that his shotgun was missin'," Agent Howard told Spencer. On August 25, 2008, Philip and Carey were shot and killed in their beds. I mean, and I was, like, 'I don't really care what people think. "You could smell it from the road. A passionate hunter, he lived in a secluded cabin in a hunting club near Oliver. Philip was Philip Heidt - a man to be reckoned with in Effingham County, Ga., and a pal of McDuffie's. "Yeah, well, I was sitting on the floor so I knew they were wet.". "I definitely wasn't thinking about my children when I did it, how it would affect them," said Robin. Titled The Mystery of Effingham County, the episode examines the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the subsequent investigation that garnered national media coverage. But the answer investigators most wanted was from the grievously wounded Linda Heidt. The Effingham Police Department and Effingham County Sheriff's Office, with help from the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force, Illinois State Police, U.S. Feb 24, 2023. So I did. Asked what went though her mind when she heard those words, Linda Heidt told Spencer, "Oh my Lord, no way. Pattison is a cousin of the kids' father, Elwyn. A man convicted of murder in Effingham County and sentenced to life without parole has died in prison. "Yes, I have," Linda said. But after just six hours that changed. "Well, I'm not rejoicing," Robin said. Carey's mother, Linda Heidt, was also shot, but turned her head at the last moment. No evidence placed Craig at the scene - yet he had no alibi and was found to have lied on police lie detectors, even flat-out denying his relationship with Robin. You don't really need to aim. A second man, Aaron M. Kaiser, 37, of Beecher City, was arrested and has been charged with concealing a homicidal death. I was really confused and I told Carey about it two weeks into the affair," Robin replied. After some soul-searching, Robin says she realized the man she once loved just might be a murderer. Even today, some jurors aren't sure. "Him leaving and he said, 'I'm gonna go stay with mom and dad tonight,'" said Robin. Tension escalated when the family found out about the affair and Philip reportedly confronted his daughter-in-law. "And if it does, it's gonna get more on my arm, which is gonna leave more bruising and it's gonna hurt me more," he explained. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. ", "I just couldn't hide it from him," Robin said. "Do you think the family has forgiven you? In the 10 years since the deaths of two of Effingham's most respected businessmen, the family has worked to heal and declined to comment about the past. Asked if he had ever done that before, Robin said, "No.". Perhaps the prosecution's strongest physical evidence are the bruises on Craig's arms. Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Craig Heidt in May 2009. In December of the following year, she was taken into custody again after failing to hand over her childrens Social Security amount to Linda, their maternal grandmother, who had temporary custody. "And based upon her testimony that she gave against himit did not appear at the time that she was participating in any plan. "This is a court of law. "It was very, very difficult," she said. He was a savvy businessman and very community-focused." It had been stripped and burnt almost beyond recognition. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Mostly cloudy early, then clearing overnight. A Georgia stepmother has pleaded guilty to murdering two children who were beaten, starved, kept in a dog crate and buried in the backyard of their . According to Robin, theyd also talked about getting married, but she started having second thoughts just before he was arrested. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Actually, he was the only one that did not have an alibi," Muldrew said. Craig Heidt is serving two life sentences plus 85 years on all 11 counts. And my family was telling me, you know, 'Do you know how this looks?' "I just, I was just in shock". They found no motive and no suspect. "Where along the spectrum do you think her actions fall?" "Robbery wasn't the motive. She then went home, where she and husband Carey had a nasty argument. Prosecutor Muldrew shows the video in court, telling the jury Craig could not possibly have gotten those bruises falling on a toilet. Some said the murders were Mafia related, some said it was a real estate deal gone bad, and others said the murderers were meth dealers that lived not far from the Heidts. The Effingham County Jail reported the following bookings: Effingham Police arrested Joshua Lester, 42, Wheeler, on Feb. 23 on charges of criminal sexual assault and violation of an . "It didn't do anything for Craig, his appearance of innocence for him to be staying there," said Linda. So the GBI just kept watching Craig Heidt and Robin. July 14, 2012 / 10:55 PM Read further ahead to find out more details about the killer, Craig, and Philip and Carey's relationship with him. ', Scars: Linda Heidt, who believes her son is innocent, was shot through the left side of her face in the attack, In court: Craig Heidt was found guilty last year of murdering his father and brother and shooting his mother, Craig was 'very angry' about his father's reaction, Robin said. Local news, sports and entertainment when you want it. Only hours into the Heidt murder investigation - as Linda Heidt fought for her life - the whispers began: Rumors that this seemingly perfect Southern family was anything but. "Based on what I've seen at the scene, looking at the photographs, my estimate was something like two feet," he replied. Carey and Robin also got into a fight after he sent a low-flying helicopter to Craig's cabin near Oliver to gather evidence of the affair. It used to be a popular spot for teens to get together to drink. "And through conversation with both Craig and his brother, they said at one point that they thought a gas can was missing.". Compared to neighboring county Bond and county Boone . Crime Map for Effingham County, GA. Crime Map. David Wayne Phillips in Georgia Effingham County arrested for 16-6-3 - STATUTORY RAPE. Effingham County Sheriff's deputies found JR and his sister Mary Crocker, who was about two years younger, buried behind their trailer, some 30 miles from Savannah. Craig Heidt was tried by an Effingham County jury and convicted of the killings of his father, Philip Heidt, and brother, Carey Heidt. Robin says a friend told her about the verdict. A case and trial that gripped the Effingham County community and ripped apart a family has reached its conclusion. Effingham police Cpl. [I realised] there is this chance that he could have done this. "It was very much a mess.". From just after 10 a.m. until close to 6 p.m., defense attorneys were working hard to pick apart the original grand jury indictment. Carey was married to Robin, with whom he shared three children. "It was somethin' to the effect of. "He says flat out, no affair," Spencer commented to Agent Eugene Howard. Unlike his father and younger brother, he hadnt settled down and was an avid hunter instead of working as a realtor and developer. Spencer asked the officer. The violent murders, in which the men were shot from just two feet away, sent waves of fear around the close-knit community, where the Heidt family was well-known for their successful real estate business. You can filter data by crime type and by date range be expanding the menus on the left hand side of the page. News of the murders spread quickly in this rural southern community and so did fear. Shooting spree: The gunman also killed his father Philip, left, and shot his mother Linda, right, in the face, Crime scene: Officers arrived at a scene that had been staged to look like a robbery - but found keys in the door. and he said, 'I can't believe you would ask me that.' The tables below show which crimes are used to calculate the Crime Grades above. People wondered whether there was a killer loose on the streets of Effingham County. Sager said the investigation was continuing for potential information that might help understand Jerry Smiths reasoning before the shootings. Nora Wilfred, 33, was found dead on 4 December 1972, her body having been dumped on wasteland off Pugsley Lane, Herbert Street, in Butetown, Cardiff. "I'm definitely a woman in the center of a storm," said Robin. Mark Wahlberg and the Screen Actors Guild Awards are facing criticism after the Ted actor presented the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture to the cast of Everything Everywhere All at Once.People questioned the decision as the film's cast is predominantly Asian, and Wahlberg was convicted of assaulting two Vietnamese men in 1988. Juror #4: It was the constant lying about everything, and, you know, telling things before they were even asked. "That was the plan, the future plans," she replied. Is this chance that he wanted to work things out instead of walking away in!, Linda Heidt, was also shot, but turned her head at the time that she was left dead! A storm, '' she replied it 's amazing that she did survive because, basically, it looks she! 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