You have permission to edit this article. 'It just took off from there.'. The charges included the two homicides, burglary, aggravated assault and aggravated battery, attempted arson, and three counts of possession of a firearm in a felony. "How long does it take for a bruise like this to show up?" Sager said a rifle and a handgun were recovered at the scene. "You had gasoline on your clothes?" I can be certain that Craig did not do this to our family.'. He was found guilty on all 11 counts, including malice and felony murder, although police have said they don't believe he was the one who pulled the trigger. I didn't conspire with Craig. I see truth. The Heidt family was widely respected in their community and the murders shocked townsfolk. Could she identify the killer? . A judge sentenced him to two life terms in prison, along with an added 85 years. Assault. Yet, things changed in April 2008, when Craig began an affair with the mother of Careys three children, Robin Heidt. Sager said an investigation revealed that Jerry Smith had approached the home from the rear and began shooting while he was still outside. Over the next few days when talking with police at the crime scene, Craig made several more startling statements. The project will happen east of the interchange with I-57 and extend to the Cumberland and Effingham County line, located east of Montrose. 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. Be the first one to comment on this story. But after just six hours that changed. They had three sons, Craig, Chris, and Carey. 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. '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. Philip's wife Linda Heidt was also shot, but she managed to survive and made the 911 phone call. He had appealed his conviction, but it was upheld in 2013. And my family was telling me, you know, 'Do you know how this looks?' Firearms expert Ed Myrick thinks a shotgun easily could slip. Craig also was charged with killing his father, Philip, and attempting to kill his mother, Linda. . "This is the Remington 870," Myrick explained. ", Robin told Spencer, "I walked right up to him and I said, 'Did you do this?' Investigators then searched Craig's arms for bruises caused by the impact of shooting the gun - and found his arms bore the marks. It used to be a popular spot for teens to get together to drink. Be the first one to comment on this story. A salary of $50,000 in Effingham, Illinois should increase to $50,315 in Carterville, Illinois . 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. It's just his character.". After an argument with Robin, Carey left their home to stay with his parents for the night and she called Craig to tell him. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. "And he's looked me right straight in the eye, and said, 'No, momma, I did not do this. "Not really sure. Get out of Effingham," Susan Spencer commented to Robin Heidt. 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. You'd have to ask them.". "He says flat out, no affair," Spencer commented to Agent Eugene Howard. 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. Kaiser is being held in the Effingham County Jail. 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. Thus, today, in her 40s, Robin seemingly resides in Charleston, South Carolina. He had said 'that Carey and Philip had better watch out or he was going to play 'old school' on them.'. The shooter leaves Carey, proceeds to the parents' bedroomthe second shot was to Philip. Todd Bowlin, 44, of Charleston was described by police as an acquaintance of Sharon Smith. "There was two bruises on his right biceps and one on his left. News of the murders spread quickly in this rural southern community and so did fear. Yet, Robin and Craig still continued to see each other, resulting in the double homicide on August 25, 2008. US States (36975K) Current Events (51K) Celebrity (272) Exonerated . ", "Hasn't asked," Howard said. Titled The Mystery of Effingham County, the episode examines the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the subsequent investigation that garnered national media coverage. When Robin failed to hand over the children's Social Security payments on time, she spent two days in jail. 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 . 'Were you holdin' a shotgun when your parents were killed,' I believe," he said. He lied, says Muldrew, even when taking a lie detector test. After some soul-searching, Robin says she realized the man she once loved just might be a murderer. Contact Us Sheriff's Office Email the Office Physical Address View Map 130 W First Street Extension Springfield, GA 31329 Directions Phone: : 912-754-3449 Emergency Phone: : 911 Hours Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. At first, investigators questioned Philip's real estate business partners, wondering if any animosity might have provided a motive for the deadly rampage - but they found none. Rumors About Gregg Smart's Murder Spread at the Local High School. In November 2011, Robin Heidt remarried and moved to Charleston, South Carolina, with her new husband and her three children. 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. Today, life in Effingham County has returned to normal, or as near normal as it can be in a small community where so many suspicions linger. In October 1980, two Urbana men discovered the naked body of a woman near the bridge. He does not have a cold blooded heart," she replied. "Each of us had our own personalities.". "He was being, you know, basically treated as the murderer And me as a conspirator right there along with him.". "The shooter comes to Carey first. Inside Frogmore Cottage: Plush home Harry and Meghan have been 'evicted' from by King Charles boasts a roomy Mike Tindall's latest money-making scheme! ", "When he asked you to marry him, then this just seemed like this was meant to be?". That was precisely the message defense attorney Dow Bonds wanted to get across. Effingham County, IL Arrest Records What are Effingham County Arrest Statistics? So did everyone else in town. The judge gave Linda immediate temporary custody. 'I know my child,' she said. When he was there, he was a very good father, a wonderful father. Therefore, after his passing, she directly asked her lover if he had anything to do with the offenses, and he said no. "I did 'cause the Craig Heidt that I know couldn't commit such an act," she replied. In the ensuing trial, it was revealed that Craig was involved in an affair with Carey's wife, Robin. 'But I don't really worry about what people say.'. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Two people have been arrested for murder in connection with a death investigation in Effingham County. 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. I know my child. Juror #11: The first vote I had voted not guilty. 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. Juror #11: The way she threw him under the bus just, I mean, that told you right there, she just used him. "No impression that anything was taken from inside the residence.". "if he did it, he had no recollection of it," Agent Howard told Spencer. She was missing her head, hands and feet. 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. Cameron retreated to a friend's house and grabbed a gun and fired a shot to defend himself. "How close roughly are we talking about here?" In December, a lawyer for the three Heidt children then asked a court to remove them from Robin's care and let them live with their grandmother. According to the prosecutor, ''lust and greed'' were the motives. Susan Spencer asked Robin Heidt. "When did you find out what had happened?" "Yes, I have," Linda said. It's what I know he did.". As investigations proceeded, though, it came to light that Careys wife, Robin, unwittingly played a role as well. It was updated on July 14.]. "Every time Philip had had an argument with somebody, you know, we had to go and investigate and talk to those folkssee what was going on with it," said McDuffie. "Philip wanted the family to be perfect good Christian family, good folksand Philip was just - he was the man of the house," said McDuffie. "This one right hereis about 48-to-50 pounds of pressure on your shoulder of recoil. Things took a turn when the family learned about the affair and Philip confronted his daughter-in-law. Jerry Smith had a criminal record in Effingham County that included two convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol and one conviction for misdemeanor battery that had been pled down from an original felony charge of aggravated battery. Box 586 Effingham, IL 62401 Phone: (217) 342-4065 Fax: (217) 342-6183 Are Effingham County Court Records Public? Nora Wilfred. Two years after the crime, Craig was convicted of the murders. "How did you expect this was going to be resolved?". Thus, he was apprehended on May 22, 2009. 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 . The motive, according to the prosecutor, was ''lust and greed.'' The tables below show which crimes are used to calculate the Crime Grades above. "Craig had entered the room-- put his hand on his mother's and said, 'Momthis is Craig.'" The Heidt clan was turning out just as its patriarch had hoped. Please logout and login again. He wanted to drive around in the nice truck and the life of leisure of a southern gentleman so to speak.'. "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. Craig Heidt's lawyer, Dow Bonds, says the public perception that Craig somehow was trying to "become" his brother is completely distorted. Spencer asked Prosecutor Michael Muldrew. "I wasn't comfortable with the relationship anymore," Robin testified. 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. A travel expert has clarified the Do not sell or share my personal information. "When you sit down and dispassionately look at the evidence, it couldn't be anybody but him," said District Attorney Michael Muldrew. And his father, Philip, told Craig flat out: Knock it off with your brother's wife or lose your entire inheritance. He wanted the kids that adored him. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Wed, Apr 20, 2011 60 mins A teenage mom and her circle of friends become involved in a strange murder case in California. 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. "So you think that's just because the person panicked and fled before they had a chance to take anything?" Chris and Craig are the most alike," she replied. "I thought that Carey and Robin would probably divorce and then, if the situation between Craig and Robin still worked out, that they would be together," she said. Where to Watch Episode 4 Mystery in Rock Hill, Part 1 Wed, Apr 27, 2011. 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. Craig Heidt was arrested last May and charged with murder. All three bodies were undergoing autopsies Monday in Springfield, but no results were available Monday evening. Sager said police had no record of response to domestic incidents involving the Smiths. 'It's not something that I'm proud of, but it's a mistake that anyone could make.'. The case generated widespread media attention, with numerous rumours and speculations about the killer floating around the community at the time. Compared to neighboring county Bond and county Boone . I was really confused and I told Carey about it two weeks into the affair," Robin replied. 0. Watch The Mystery of Effingham County (Season 10, Episode 56) of Dateline: Secrets Uncovered or get episode details on NBC.com. "If you're gonna fire that at someone, it's a deadly force incident," Myrick replied. Nine months after the Heidt family murders came bombshell news: Craig Heidt was about to marry Robin, his dead brother's wife. Given the close range, Linda probably would have died instantly had she not turned her head at the moment of impact. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. "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. "I was asleep and, um, I heard knocking on the door. "They both like to hunt, outdoors things like that And Carey was the baby of the family.". ", "And how would you describe the community's take on her right now?". Then Sheriff McDuffie recalled an unsettling conversation he's had with Carey Heidt only a month earlier. 'When I looked at him, I just felt disgust,' she said. You can filter data by crime type and by date range be expanding the menus on the left hand side of the page. There are no confessions". and he said, 'I can't believe you would ask me that.' Effingham County had 1,480 arrests for the last 3 years, in 2017 the arrest rate was 849.91 per 100.000 population which is by 15.01% higher than the National average of 739.02 per 100.000 inhabitants. Currently in his mid-50s, Craig has always maintained his innocence. Murder was the motive.". "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. In many ways, the scenario turned out worse than the early rumors. "What is your view on Robin's role, if any, in this whole awful thing?" Prosecutors had painted a picture of a man desperate to steal his brother's life. "I have. Darnell loved his family and especially loved watching his . A passionate hunter, he lived in a secluded cabin in a hunting club near Oliver. ALL TRADEMARKS BELONG TO THEIR . The Heidt family was widely respected in Effingham and the murders shocked not just the community but the entire nation. At first, Robin kept the affair from officers who had quizzed her over her husband's enemies. It's evidence, Bonds says, that father and son actually were making peace. "I have to go by the evidence," he replied. Investigators checked the alibi of a local drug dealer, but quickly ruled him out. Soon, the investigation began whilst wild rumors and theories about the killer kept floating around the community. Updated: 10:38 AM EST Dec 9, 2022 Infinite Scroll Enabled Graham Cawthon Digital Media Manager "Based on what I've seen at the scene, looking at the photographs, my estimate was something like two feet," he replied. Brother Chris Heidt was not laughing then or now. 1.448. "I see life. The relationship got more intense, with Robin and Craig often sneaking off to an isolated hunting cabin. On August 25, 2008, Philip and Carey were shot and killed in their beds. MUGSHOTS.COM IS AN AGGREGATOR OF THE TODAY'S CRIME NEWS. 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!' Prosecutor Michael Muldrew said the brother-in-law, who moved in with Robin four months after the murders, had a sure motive for the killings. EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. Disturbing details surrounding the death of two young siblings, possibly at the hands of their own family, are emerging. Though improving in a Savannah hospital, she was still unable to talk. Widow: Robin Heidt has spoken out for the first time since her lover - also her brother-in-law - shot dead her husband. EVANSVILLE The field for the Ohio Valley Conference Women's Basketball Championship has been set, with second-seeded Eastern Illinois earning a bye to Friday's . NBC's '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. "We heard a helicopter that sounded like it was very low," she said. "I've been doing this 41 years, and a while ago I almost broke down in tears. "He wanted his brother's life," Muldrew told jurors. The homicide investigation took a bizarre twist in March 2010 when the named suspect, Mr. Hollister, was arrested and charged with attempted murder of his wife, Rebecca Hollister. "Do you think their affair had anything whatsoever to do with the murders?" This can't be happening. EFFINGHAM COUNTY, IL 3 DAYS AGO On August 25, 2008, Philip and Carey were shot to death in their beds. Despite her husband and children, who were 10, seven and three at the time, she continued the relationship. He said Smiths current residence in Salem was being searched for more clues. 'I wasn't sure what that meant,' she added. "I know I didn't do anything. Spencer asked Linda. Philip and Carey Heidt were well-known, well-respected, well-liked. Detectives arrived at a scene staged to look like a robbery, with smashed windows and strewn clothes. "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?" Spencer commented to Robin. He also believes multiple shooters were involved. She told her husband about the affair two weeks after it began. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Tension escalated when the family found out about the affair and Philip reportedly confronted his daughter-in-law. You don't really need to aim. "Exactly," Myrick said. Effingham police Cpl. 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