On August 25, 2008, Philip and Carey were shot and killed in their beds. "Had the officer asked about his shotgun? Philip's wife Linda Heidt was. Spencer asked. The couple. I know the heart he has. "How do you interpret that? While Robin spent two days in jail for the latter, she was granted a $15,000 bond in the former, with the stipulation that she had to relocate. "It was very much a mess.". 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 . Robin says a friend told her about the verdict. "Two life terms plus 85 years? To the medical examiner, the explanation is obvious. 0.2362. Spencer asked Muldrew. And she had been shaking as if she was afraid.". Craig Heidt never took the stand. The motive, according to the prosecutor, was ''lust and greed.'' He is currently serving two life sentences in prison along with an additional 85 years for numerous other crimes, including aggravated battery, burglary, and attempted arson. "The scene was staged to look like it was a burglary," said Agent Howard. "Sometimes they can be immediate," he said. ', 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. Carey Heidt and Robin Seabrook Rast Caves love story is straight out of a storybook; well, the initial aspects of it at least. Though improving in a Savannah hospital, she was still unable to talk. Her husband was distraught, but he was no fool. Effingham County Courthouse 120 West Jefferson Avenue Suite 101 P.O. She told 48 Hours she held back the information as 'the Craig Heidt that I know couldn't commit such an act'. A salary of $50,000 in Effingham, Illinois should increase to $50,315 in Carterville, Illinois . Juror #2: Once I seen the bruises that was, like, yeah, he's guilty. The family soon learned about this liaison, leading to domestic disputes. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation took the lead in investigating at the request of Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie, who knew Philip Heidt well. It was case that pitted father against son, husband against wife and brother against brother. Sharon reported on Aug. 16, Jerry threatened to burn her truck. 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. However, by that time, Craig had already insisted that one of his shotguns, boots, and gas cans were missing and even denied his affair with Robin, which she confirmed. Asked if he had ever done that before, Robin said, "No.". While a full investigation was conducted, no killer was ever found. Then one day, an officer guarding Linda saw something that set off alarm bells. Crocker, the biological father of Mary and Elwyn Jr., faces multiple charges, including felony murder, concealing the death of another and cruelty to children in the first degree. That happensbut an affair with your husband's brother? Please enter valid email address to continue. "As a mother, I could not sacrifice the son that was killed and my husband that was killed to protect another son if I really thought that that son did that," Linda told Spencer. "Investigator John Bradley with the sheriff's department mentioned, 'I wonder how his arm looks,'" Howard said. But telling her husband about the affair didn't stop Robin from pursuing it. Craig, who had failed to convince Robin to leave her husband, went on to murder his brother Carey and their father - while attempting to kill their mother - in an early morning shooting spree in 2008. Over the next few days when talking with police at the crime scene, Craig made several more startling statements. Asked if he sees much of Robin these days, Sheriff Jimmie McDuffie told Spencer, "Seems like we run into her quite often around the county. 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. During the trial, it was revealed that Craig had an affair with his brother Carey's wife, Robin, and was planning to purchase land after he'd made some money. When Robin failed to hand over the children's Social Security payments on time, she spent two days in jail. There was massive tension among family members during the days leading up to the horrific crime. We were family, nobody was perfectbut we grew up very close together," Chris explained. They began an affair in April and sneaked about until she admitted to the liaison to her husband in May. The death of a father and son from a highly respected business family sent shockwaves across the community, generating massive media coverage. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. . Spencer asked. Philip was Philip Heidt - a man to be reckoned with in Effingham County, Ga., and a pal of McDuffie's. "The gas fumes out by the road were just horrific," McDuffie recalled. "When you look at the future now, and I assume you're doing your best to look ahead -what do you see for the Heidt family?" The jury convicted Craig Heidt on all 11 counts of murder, battery, burglary and attempted arson. . But investigators zeroed in on Craig Heidt early on and their case got stronger when Agent Howard followed up on a colleague's hunch. "So you think that's just because the person panicked and fled before they had a chance to take anything?" "When did you find out what had happened?" You'd have to ask them.". A garbled phone call to Effingham County 911 about 3 a.m. a decade ago began the unwinding of what the world would eventually learn was a twisted tale of murder and lust. Maybe it was from hearing talk that was going on around me," she said. Linda was the mothershe's comin' outta the bathroom to see what's going on because she doesn't have a clue the left side of her face was extensively damaged and then the shot continued through her right shoulder. He does not have a cold blooded heart," she replied. Detectives arrived at a scene staged to look like a robbery, with smashed windows and strewn clothes. "You're two feet away, my goodness. I believe that he's innocent."'. Stressful start to National Offer Day? Effingham County Crime Breakdown. They found no motive and no suspect. No evidence, including empty shell casings, were left behind at the scene, so it took a while for officials to determine that the weapon used was a shotgun. His attorney for the case, Dow Bonds of Savannah, said at trial that there was no physical evidence tying Craig Heidt to the murder scene. Philip was married to Linda Heidt, whom he met back in the '60s in Savannah. Spencer asked. Craig Heidt's lawyer, Dow Bonds, says the public perception that Craig somehow was trying to "become" his brother is completely distorted. EXCLUSIVE - Revealed: Carol Kirkwood's secret toyboy fianc - 13 years her junior - is a divorced police 'Digital antidepressants' to be rolled out on the NHS as health bosses give eight apps and web-based therapy BBC journalists vote 'overwhelmingly' to stage series of strikes in move that could sabotage corporation's 'This is the most ridiculous thing I've seen!' Read further ahead to find out who Philip Martin Heidt and Carey Albert Heidt were. Despite her husband and children, who were 10, seven and three at the time, she continued the relationship. On August 25, 2008, Philip and Carey were shot to death in their beds. 'He is taking his dead brother's children to school and he's drivin' his dead brother's truck. That's how the news struck Israel Pattison in December when he heard two children were found buried behind their home in Effingham County. He said Smiths current residence in Salem was being searched for more clues. Did you do this?' Homicide suspect Kevin David Lenix Wilson who escaped custody in Effingham County, Georgia was arrested Jan. 6, authorities confirmed. They next turned their attention to the Heidt's real estate dealings. "The position of the bruises on Craig's body were actually impossible to make from a shotgun," said Chris. "It was, 'cause I had never seen Mr. Philip that angry," she said. With more than 200 motions filed, there's still months worth of work before this case goes to trial. Heidt Trial Exhibit List by savannahnow.com on Scribd, Heidt Jury Verdict, Sentence by savannahnow.com on Scribd, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. "When I looked at him, I just felt disgust, disgust at the affair, disgust at just him period," said Robin. They met for the first time during their senior year in high school and became friends before realizing they were in love. iPhone users claim Apple is trying to TRICK them into Are YOU at risk of being cancelled? 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. I didn't conspire with Craig. "It was laughable," Muldrew said. Effingham police Cpl. Robin asked. "You've forgiven yourself?" So did everyone else in town. (CBS) SPRINGFIELD, Ga. - On Aug. 25, 2008, hours before dawn, Sheriff Jimmie McDuffie was called to a house on Springfield Egypt Road. Police would not identify the three children at the home other than to say two were boys aged 12 and 13 and the third was a 5-year-old girl. That night, Carey and Philip were murdered. For Linda, healing has been a much slower process. In the years that followed, the couple gladly welcomed three children into their lives while Carey got a job in real estate development with his father, and Robin worked as a paraprofessional. Asked if she was head over heels in love, Robin told Susan Spencer, "I was infatuated, not love.". A case and trial that gripped the Effingham County community and ripped apart a family has reached its conclusion. Later that Sunday, Robin called her lover, Craig. Zara's husband announces a two-month tour with his rugby podcast Behind-the-scenes at fashion week with the Spencers! "I've been doing this 41 years, and a while ago I almost broke down in tears. "At some point, and I don't remember where that was atit was like 'Oh my God, that's gotta be Philip's house.'". Advertisements Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Craig Heidt in May 2009. "I didn't know finer men than Philip Heidt and his son Carey.". He took that key, opened the door, went in," said Muldrew. Susan Spencer asked Robin Heidt. He is also charged with aggravated assault for the shooting of his mother, Linda Heidt, who was severely wounded in the incident. Get out of Effingham," Susan Spencer commented to Robin Heidt. "I told him that I had feelings for him that were more than, you know, brother- and sister-in-law feelings and he said that he shared the same feelings," she told Spencer. Aired: 06/01/2022 Season 10 - Episodes 42:50 S10 - E59 Friends Until Death 2:29 Preview 0:59 2:26 Extras "What would this do if fired at a person?" "I can be certain that Craig did not do this to our family.". "He was being, you know, basically treated as the murderer And me as a conspirator right there along with him.". The call came in about 8:45 p.m. City police were joined by Effingham County sheriffs deputies and Illinois state troopers at the scene, where they were met by numerous witnesses who had either heard or seen shots fired. or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Savannah . ", 'He wanted the big house. And one day, peace," she replied. Juror #11: The way she threw him under the bus just, I mean, that told you right there, she just used him. "Do you think the family has forgiven you? "if he did it, he had no recollection of it," Agent Howard told Spencer. During Philip Craig Heidts two-week trial for the charges against him, the prosecutors argued that he killed his father and brother and shot his mother because he wanted the life Carey had with Robin. You don't really need to aim. South Carolina has some violent cities that you don't hear about in the national news. His attorney said that no physical evidence was presented at the trial that directly connected Craig to the crime scene. On Dec. 1, 2010, the murder trial of Craig Heidt begins in the Effingham County Courthouse. But now prosecutors had their motive: Craig wanted not just his brother's wife, but his brother's life and had killed to get it. From catching each others eye in English class to tying the knot soon after graduation, their courtship was genuinely a whirlwind. Nothing was rummaged through. Deputies were called to a residence at 229 Holly Lane on Tuesday for a welfare check.. John L.. 'It was not smart. In the early hours of August 25, 2008, they were shot to death in their beds, whereas Philips wife, Linda Heidt, was injured but survived. The judge gave Linda immediate temporary custody. Robin, of course, called Craig to vent not long after, only for Philip, Carey, and Linda to be shot the following morning. Craig Heidt was tried by an Effingham County jury and convicted of the killings of his father, Philip Heidt, and brother, Carey Heidt. "There was a lot of tension very heated conversations, several very heated conversations," Robin told Spencer. She knew he was lying to her, she says, especially when he said that he and Carey had patched things up before the shootings. "Robbery wasn't the motive. "I wasn't really sure. In charge was Agent Eugene Howard, who quickly realized that the crime scene was not what it seemed. Crime & Public Safety. The case was prosecuted by the Assistant District Attorney Michael Muldrew, who now serves as a Superior Court Judge for the Ogeechee Circuit. The video was made before Craig Heidt had a lawyer. Four other people in the home at 704 S. Willow St. in Effingham were unharmed, police said. Advertisement The Heidt family was widely respected in their community and the murders shocked townsfolk. Sager said the investigation was continuing for potential information that might help understand Jerry Smiths reasoning before the shootings. I know the man he is. I see hope. The Mystery of Effingham County Publicly they were a prominent family highly respected for their success. Under oath, Robin repeatedly refuted the notion of having a direct hand in the murders of her husband and father-in-law. I had one lady even call me and tell me I need to go see the governor and make the governor make GBI make an arrest.". He wanted the kids that adored him. For Muldrew, the key to the case against Craig is, quite literally, a key. To get an idea of the damage a 12-gauge shotgun does at such close range, "48 Hours" asked the sheriff's firearms instructor, Ed Myrick, to demonstrate using the same model shotgun, the same type of buckshot and the same three-inch shell used by the killer. Craig also was charged with killing his father, Philip, and attempting to kill his mother, Linda. Craig Heidt is serving two life sentences plus 85 years on all 11 counts. Evidence at the two-week trial showed Craig Heidt was having an affair with Carey Heidt's wife, Robin. The events of that. "Typically that type of ammo shot from that weapon will leave a bruise.". ", "When he asked you to marry him, then this just seemed like this was meant to be?". Linda Heidt's injuries were such that it took six minutes for 911 operators to understand where help was needed. Is there any real evidence to link Robin to the crimes? Effingham County Jail reported the following bookings: Effingham County deputies arrested Mason L. Parker, 34, Newton, Feb. 26 on charges of possession of hypodermic syringe, possession of drug . 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. and he said, 'I can't believe you would ask me that.' All three bodies were undergoing autopsies Monday in Springfield, but no results were available Monday evening. He was a savvy businessman and very community-focused." There was no fingerprints. 'I told him that I had feelings for him that were more than, you know, brother- and sister-in-law feelings and he said that he shared the same feelings,' she said. . "How close roughly are we talking about here?" ", "No question you'd be bruised," Spencer noted. A Georgia father, stepmother, and grandmother were arrested . "It was very, very difficult," she said. She then went home, where she and husband Carey had a nasty argument. "If this gun slips at all, it will fall toward your arm and it will definitely tear you alive. Murdered: Carey Heidt, pictured with his wife Robin, was shot by his brother as he slept at his parents' home, Family affair: Carey Heidt, left, was shot dead by his brother Craig, right, as he allegedly wanted to assume his life. Craig Heidt: I am not having sex with Robin. ", Asked what he believes Craig Heidt did that night, Muldrew told Spencer, "It's not really a matter of what I believe he did. Robin has now turned against her former lover - even testifying against him in court. It's that bad. Low 34F. EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Nearly a year since they were last in court, three of the defendants in the Crocker case were back before a judge. When quizzed by officers, Robin admitted she was having an affair with her brother-in-law. A judge sentenced him to two life terms in prison, along with an added 85 years. 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