Two years after the crime, Carey was found guilty of the deadly rampage and sentenced to two life terms plus 85 years. Investigators weren't so sure. Widow: Robin Heidt has spoken out for the first time since her lover - also her brother-in-law - shot dead her husband. To the medical examiner, the explanation is obvious. But, almost as if the power of those shotgun blasts wasn't enough, the gunman next drenched the entire house in gasoline. Carey Heidt and Robin Seabrook Rast Caves love story is straight out of a storybook; well, the initial aspects of it at least. "At some point, and I don't remember where that was atit was like 'Oh my God, that's gotta be Philip's house.'". An arraignment hearing . On that summer morning a prominent family lost a father and a son to violence by the hand of a family member. The married pair went to counseling, and soon, their entire family found out, leading to high heat and rising tensions. He lied, says Muldrew, even when taking a lie detector test. IN EACH FRONT-PAGE POST, THE HYPERLINK TO THE PRIMARY SOURCE IS SPECIFIED. "And I wouldfinally allow things to come into my mind and in my heart," she told Susan Spencer. 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 was being, you know, basically treated as the murderer And me as a conspirator right there along with him.". And she had been shaking as if she was afraid.". Craig Heidt is serving two life sentences plus 85 years on all 11 counts. Sager said an investigation revealed that Jerry Smith had approached the home from the rear and began shooting while he was still outside. EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced that a portion of I-70 will begin reconstruction on March 6. From catching each others eye in English class to tying the knot soon after graduation, their courtship was genuinely a whirlwind. Effingham County had 486 arrests for the last 3 years, in 2017 the arrest rate was 412.96 per 100.000 population which is by 44.12% lower than the National average of 739.02 per 100.000 inhabitants. Yet, Robin and Craig still continued to see each other, resulting in the double homicide on August 25, 2008. And my family was telling me, you know, 'Do you know how this looks?' So those bruises were significant," said Howard. "Cam has been shooting since he was five," said Edwards. Todd Bowlin, 44, of Charleston was described by police as an acquaintance of Sharon Smith. "So I had a few drinks there and ended up staying that night," she explained. Robin, of course, called Craig to vent not long after, only for Philip, Carey, and Linda to be shot the following morning. To the close-knit community of Effingham County, Georgia, childhood sweethearts Carey and Robin Heidt had the perfect lives - successful careers, a doting family and three blond-haired children . They all took a single bullet from a shotgun to their face, with Craig Heidt serving as the triggerman. Violent Crime Rates. 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. 'But I don't really worry about what people say.'. He had preached, which he loved and was always prepared, for over 40 years in several churches. His attorney said that no physical evidence was presented at the trial that directly connected Craig to the crime scene. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. A shotgun, boots and a gas can -- all missing, all possibly related to the crime and all tied to Craig Heidt. By noon the day of the murders, Robin Heidt had admitted to investigators that the shocking rumors were true: Yes, she was having an affair with her brother-in-law, Craig. The bruises, the affair, the lies and the missing items all were circumstantial. ", "I wrote down in my journal that I knew what hell smelled likeGasoline and gunpowder," Linda told Spencer. "Where did you think this was gonna go?" 'It's not something that I'm proud of, but it's a mistake that anyone could make.'. He claimed he had fallen out of the shower and fallen over a toilet. I've got to see if I can see Craig tonight. Speaking to 48 Hours, she admitted she made the first move on Craig. Spencer asked Prosecutor Michael Muldrew. Nobody wanted to put a man away for life, you know, without it. '"The only way I'm gonna have Robin Heidt and have peace is Momma, Daddy, and Carey have to be eliminated from the equation. He has threatened to take our daughter and stated you will never see her again. Hes threatened to burn my house and hes threatened me with a gun.. A few weeks before he died, Carey Heidt changed his $3.5 million life insurance policy, removing Robin as the beneficiary. Investigators checked the alibi of a local drug dealer, but quickly ruled him out. 0.2362. Marshals Service and the FBI Task. He is taking his dead brother's children to school," Muldrew said. After some soul-searching, Robin says she realized the man she once loved just might be a murderer. 'It was not smart. Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. Stars Kate Snow Dennis Murphy For Linda, healing has been a much slower process. 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. Florence County South Carolina Most Wanted. Philip's wife Linda Heidt was. IDOT said the 7-mile project costs $50 million and is [] Detectives charged Richard Allen Knaust, Jr. and Dusty Dan Hamilton in November with murder stemming from a trailer fire in which a body was discovered beaten and bloodied. Thus, he was apprehended on May 22, 2009. He said Smiths current residence in Salem was being searched for more clues. "'The only way I'm gonna have Robin Heidt and have peace is Momma, Daddy, and Carey have to be eliminated from the equation.' Many in the public didn't understand the time required for a complex investigation. 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. I know the heart he has. They just gave us an address on a page," Sheriff McDuffie told "48 Hours Mystery" correspondent Susan Spencer. The community and the case also have been part of national news coverage including a two-hour show on "Dateline NBC" and "48 Hours Mystery" on CBS. 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. "He pointed out to the officer that was present, that was doin' security, that his shotgun was missin'," Agent Howard told Spencer. His wife, Linda Heidt, was also targeted, but she managed to survive her injuries and dial 911 for help. "I knew Philip ever since I came to the county back in probably '87, '88"the sheriff said. That was precisely the message defense attorney Dow Bonds wanted to get across. "Each of us had our own personalities.". And I know that God's forgiven me," Robin replied. Then Sheriff McDuffie recalled an unsettling conversation he's had with Carey Heidt only a month earlier. it was silly.". . Nearly half of British viewers believe ethnic minorities and LGBT communities are over-represented on TV, Head over heels for Kate! Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. EFFINGHAM COUNTY, IL 3 DAYS AGO Sharon reported on Aug. 16, Jerry threatened to burn her truck. Finally, in May 2009, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation made its move, arresting Craig Heidt for the murder of his brother. asked Spencer. Murder was the motive.". Please enter valid email address to continue. Matt Sager, center, speaks at a press conference Monday related to the Sunday shootings in Effingham. "Robbery wasn't the motive. . Where to Watch Episode 4 Mystery in Rock Hill, Part 1 Wed, Apr 27, 2011. The case generated widespread media attention, with numerous rumours and speculations about the killer floating around the community at the time. "Most people that saw it literally laughed at this reenactment he did. "The only things coming out of Carey's mouth about Craig were negative," Robin testified. Then one day, an officer guarding Linda saw something that set off alarm bells. According to an order of protection filed last month by his estranged wife Sharon, Jerry W. Smith had threatened to harm her on several recent occasions. Three dead in double murder, suicide . I believe that he's innocent.". "you know there is this chance that he could have done this.". Contact Info: GBI Kingsland Office at 912-729-6198, Brantley County Sheriff's Office at 912-462-6141, and Waycross Police Department at 912-287-2921 The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 14 Field Office and the Brantley County Sheriff's Office are investigating the homicide of Angela Dawn McCarty. Robin Heidt's "mistake" was having an affair. Furious motorist is fined 650 after council worker paints disabled bay around his parked car. But prosecutors think a jury will decide that's exactly what he is. I see truth. Even today, some jurors aren't sure. Later on, Robin called her lover to tell him what had happened, to which he only said that if his father and brother were not careful and minding their own business, hed go old school on them. Advertisement "It was," the sheriff replied, "'cause every time you saw them together it was just like the perfect family.". EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. Disturbing details surrounding the death of two young siblings, possibly at the hands of their own family, are emerging. I know the heart he has. "he told me when we were married that we were gonna be married for life.". The affair became known to the family and caused great tension, "reaching a peak," in the days leading up to the murders, Muldrew said. . Rape. Once inside, according to this scenario, Craig methodically went room to room shooting his brother, his father and his mother all for the love of Robin. "This one right hereis about 48-to-50 pounds of pressure on your shoulder of recoil. Wed, Apr 20, 2011 60 mins A teenage mom and her circle of friends become involved in a strange murder case in California. "Investigator John Bradley with the sheriff's department mentioned, 'I wonder how his arm looks,'" Howard said. NBCs Dateline: Mystery in Effingham County is an episode that explores the double homicide of prominent Georgian real estate developers and father and son, Philip Martin Heidt and Carey Albert Heidt, along with its baffling aftermath. Susan Spencer asked Robin Heidt. The jury convicted Craig Heidt on all 11 counts of murder, battery, burglary and attempted arson. Christopher Buckner, 20, of Guyton, and her brother, Timothy Savoy, 25, of Jackson, were stopped by cops around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday walking down Highway 30 in Effingham County after a resident . "It took a coward to walk in at three in the morning into a dark home and do what they did to our family," he said. Craig allegedly enjoyed a more unconventional lifestyle. The fact that the men had also changed their wills to limit the pairs monetary inheritance in the days leading up to the offense, they added, also played a crucial part. A second man, Aaron M. Kaiser, 37, of Beecher City, was arrested and has been charged with concealing a homicidal death. "He knew where that key would've been located. Only seven months after she'd planned to walk down the aisle to marry Craig Heidt, Robin Heidt instead walked to the witness box to testify against him. Enhanced Cost of Living Calculator Now includes childcare, taxes, health, housing for home owners vs renters, insurance costs and more when you upgrade to premium. Craig Heidt had also looked at land with a Realtor, saying he expected to have some money soon. Weeks later, investigators finally were able to interview Linda. ", "And the detective asked me if I knew of anyone that would have wanted to hurt Carey and Philip and I just said, 'I mean I just can't think of anything right now,'" Robin said. First published on July 14, 2012 / 10:55 PM. "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. As investigations proceeded, though, it came to light that Careys wife, Robin, unwittingly played a role as well. There's no DNA. But after just six hours that changed. Kaiser is being held in the Effingham County Jail. While a full investigation was conducted, no killer was ever found. You can filter data by crime type and by date range be expanding the menus on the left hand side of the page. A reenactment is not a good idea' But if you look at what Craig was thinking at the time he did that, he was trying to assist them in their investigationhe was cooperating with them," said Bonds. Juror #4: I think Robin played him like a fiddle. Spencer asked Carey's wife, Robin Heidt. McDuffie was taken to task by some for not providing much in the way of information to calm those fears. Prosecutors pointed out the letter never was sentand although certainly heart wrenching, they called it irrelevant. Candace Crocker, the stepmother, confessed to the murders of Mary Crocker and her brother, Elwyn "JR" Crocker Jr, who were found dead in shallow graves near a dog pen in Effingham County in December 2018, according to The Savannah Morning News. 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. The events of that early morning on Aug. 25, 2008, not only changed everything for one family it rocked a community and garnered nationwide attention. ", Asked what he believes Craig Heidt did that night, Muldrew told Spencer, "It's not really a matter of what I believe he did. The relationship got more intense, with Robin and Craig often sneaking off to an isolated hunting cabin. "Everyone was very upset, very on pins and needles, not knowin' what to say or what to do or how they could help," Linda Heidt told Spencer. Investigator: Why are we getting indications that you had sexual relations with Robin? (CBS) SPRINGFIELD, Ga. - On Aug. 25, 2008, hours before dawn, Sheriff Jimmie McDuffie was called to a house on Springfield Egypt Road. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. "I've been doing this 41 years, and a while ago I almost broke down in tears. Actually, he was the only one that did not have an alibi," Muldrew said. The Airtight Bridge hangs over the Embarras River in this rural region of Illinois. He claimed he had fallen out of Carey 's mouth about Craig were negative, '' she told Susan.! 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