Details of Duke’s alleged murder of Grinstead are still coming in and will be updated once they are made available. Duke used to be represented by a public defender’s office. Jurors in Wilcox County heard closing arguments Thursday in the trial of 34-year-old Bo Dukes. What happened to the woman wasn't revealed until Dukes and another man were arrested in 2017. Dukes was convicted of two counts of making a false statement, hindering the arrest of a criminal and concealing a death. Ryan Duke came into the picture of the Grinstead case when he was charged with the murder of Tara Grinstead, twelve years after her disappearance. Local media covering the story since Grinstead’s appearance in 2005 say that Duke is a completely new suspect in the investigation. What should WTXL be covering in this community. For the first time , we now can read Ryan Duke’s confession according to the GBI file. ryan alexander duke photo: ryan alexander duke confession: ryan alexander duke update: Prev. The Georgia Supreme Court denied Ryan Alexander Duke‘s request that the state to pay for expert witnesses in his trial.Duke is on trial for allegedly killing teacher Tara Grinstead.. He was taken into custody February 22, and a warrant was issued the day after on February 23. Ryan Alexander Duke said he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he broke into Tara Grinstead’s home hours after she told friends goodbye on Oct. 22, 2005. Defense attorney John Fox said Dukes didn’t lie, but couldn’t recall a decade-old drunken confession. Video related to ryan alexander duke: 5 fast facts you need to know, Duke made his first court appearance February 23. The fate of the teacher and former beauty queen didn’t come to light until the men were arrested in 2017. Duke was charged on 6 counts, including Grinstead's murder. Ryan Duke is charged with the murder and his trial is set for April 1. Prosecutors in Wilcox County charged 34-year-old Dukes with covering up Grinstead’s death by lying to police in a 2016 interview about the case. Olathe Shooting at Sports Bar: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Tara Grinstead has now been missing for a decade https://t.co/zGzCLSvSAm pic.twitter.com/THNx5Le2Q9, — WALB News 10 (@WALBNews10) October 23, 2015. All rights reserved. Next 15 results. His co-defendant, Ryan Alexander Duke, is charged with murder in Grinstead's death and is scheduled for trial April 1 in Irwin County. Ocilla, GA – On February 22, 2017, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) arrested Ryan Alexander Duke, age 33, for O.C.G.A. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.). Then on February 23, 2017, GBI agents took Ryan Alexander Duke into custody. Ryan Duke is accused of killing Tara Grinstead, a teacher and former beauty queen, in her Ocilla home in 2005. But Dukes’s defense attorney said they failed to prove he intentionally lied. Hundreds of people had been interviewed over the past 11 years, but investigators were still left to little to no leads on the suspect. In 2011, investigators continued to pursue leads and the chief investigator from the GBI said that “this case has never gone cold.” He said that leads would come in on a weekly basis. The GBI had investigated the case extensively and gained new leads recently when someone came forward with new information. Ryan Alexander Duke — A man charged with killing a Georgia teacher who vanished in 2005 has lost another appeal requesting state funding for expert witnesses. The night before she was reported missing, Grinstead visited a local beauty pageant and went to a barbecue later on — Grinstead is a former beauty queen and was an active coach of young beauty pageant participants. Our prayer is that the grand jury meeting today in Irwin County will hand down an indictment against Ryan Alexander Duke." She taught 11th-grade history after graduating from Middle Georgia College. The suspect, 33-year-old Ryan Alexander Duke, was being held at the Irwin County jail in Ocilla, about 165 miles southeast of Atlanta. Ocilla. The next day, Grinstead didn’t show up for work and co-workers from the school she was employed became concerned and asked police to check on her well-being. Her disappearance remained a mystery until Dukes and a friend were charged in 2017. Ryan Alexander Duke looked down as he shuffled into the Irwin County Courthouse in shackles Thursday afternoon to hear charges against him in the killing of teacher Tara Grinstead. 17 results. It was 12 years before authorities arrested and charged Ryan Alexander Duke with her murder. John Merchant and his wife, Ashleigh Merchant (pictured), have agreed to represent Ryan Alexander Duke (inset), who is set to stand trial for the murder of Tara Grinstead of Ocilla, Georgia, in 2005. Grinstead was a teacher and a former beauty queen who went missing in October 2005. A podcast was created in 2016 by documentary film maker Payne Lindsey. Grinstead was first reported missing from her Ocilla, Georgia home on October 22, 2005. Justices determined that Duke couldn’t bring an appeal in the first place. His co-defendant, Ryan Alexander Duke, is charged with murder in Grinstead's death and is scheduled for trial April 1 in Irwin County.---. Bo Dukes (Source: Warner Robins Police Department via WALB), (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. An investigation found no noticeable signs of forced entry or a struggle. The GBI promised during the press conference that the investigation is still ongoing and they will interview more people in connection with the case and continue to search for Grinstead’s remains. The high school history teacher's body was burned to ash and bone fragments in a pecan orchard. Ryan Alexander Duke did in the county of Iwrin committed the offense of aggravated assault to with, in said county, October 23, 2005. On Friday, Tift Judicial Circuit Judge Bill Reinhardt once again ruled that the state doesn't have to pay for Ryan Duke's defense to hire outside investigators, news outlets report. District Attorney Brad Rigby told the jury Dukes sought to protect himself in 2016 when he denied to police that he confessed to an Army buddy in 2006. It turned out that he had completed his education from the Irwin County High School, which is where Grinstead used to work, three years before she went missing, and they might have come in contact there. Ryan Duke is accused of killing the school teacher and beauty queen in Ocilla, Georgia. Ryan Alexander Duke: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know | Heavy.com News outlets reported that 34-year-old Bo Dukes was sentenced Friday morning in court in Abbeville. Foul play was immediately suspected, but a lack of evidence had made connecting anyone to the disappearance difficult. Adam Purinton: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, VideoVideo related to ryan alexander duke: 5 fast facts you need to know2017-02-23T15:47:40-05:00. View the profiles of people named Ryan Alexander Duke. He was eliminated as both a suspect and a lead in Grinstead’s disappearance and police went back to the drawing board. News outlets report it took the jury less than an hour to convict Dukes on four counts, including two of making a false statement, hindering the apprehension of a criminal and concealing the death of another. Duke … Dukes was in the same class as Ryan Duke at Irwin County High School. He’s charged with concealing a death by lying to police about his role in the October 2005 death of Tara Grinstead. His trial is scheduled for April 1. Powered by. 12. Join Facebook to connect with Ryan Alexander Duke and others you may know. That changed when attorneys Ashleigh B. Tara Faye Grinstead (born November 14, 1974) was an American beauty queen and high school history teacher from Ocilla, Georgia who went missing on October 22, 2005 and was declared dead in 2010.. On February 23, 2017, a press conference was held by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) formally announcing that a tip had been received that led to the arrest of 11 page document was leaked to internet . ryan alexander duke trial: ryan alexander duke photo: ryan alexander duke confession: ryan alexander duke update: 12. As CrimeOnline previously reported, Dukes confessed to helping Duke conceal the body after he said Duke accidentally killed Grinstead during an attempted robbery. ABBEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — A man convicted of helping hide the death of a missing Georgia teacher has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. Ryan Duke murdered Tara Grinstead and was aided by his friend Bo Dukes: Hometown Homicide investigates Mon Jul 27, 2020 at 4:42pm ET Mon Jul 27, 2020 at 4:42 pm EDT By Jerry Brown Eight days after the arrest of Ryan Alexander Duke, Bo Dukes pleaded guilty to concealing the death of another, tampering with evidence, and hindering the punishment of a criminal. Dukes was convicted Thursday night of lying to investigators about the 2005 death of Tara Grinstead. Investigators continued to pursue leads, but came up empty with any information on her whereabouts. Dukes’s friend, Ryan Duke, is charged with murder in Grinstead’s death. In February 2009, videos surfaced online of a “serial killer” who called himself the “Catch Me Killer.” He claimed to have killed 16 females and one of them was described as Grinstead. Merchant and John B. More interviews led to them connecting Duke to Grinstead’s disappearance. Oroville Dam Spillway Failure: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Ryan Alexander Duke: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright © 2021 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. A Georgia prosecutor says a man charged with hiding a slain teacher’s death inflicted “more pain” when he lied to police as the woman remained missing a decade later. GBI investigators said that Duke had graduated high school three years before her disappearance in 2002. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation revealed during a press conference that Duke had been arrested and charged with her murder, over 11 years from when she went missing. The GBI announced the arrest and charge at a press conference February 23. He did knowingly, intentionally, and willfully use his hand in an offensive manner, with the intent to, and did, cause … Ryan Alexander Duke, 33, who attended Irwin County High School while the missing Tara Grinstead taught there, has been indicted on … The Latest on the trial of a man accused in teacher’s death (all times local):6:10 p.m. A jury has convicted a Georgia man of concealing the death of a teacher whose slaying remained a mystery for more than a decade after her body was burned to ash and bone fragments in a rural pecan orchard. #16-5-1 Murder in connection with the disappearance of Tara Grinstead. According the affidavit, Duke is accused of “removing the body of Tara Grinstead from her home and concealing her death.”. Upandvanished ) February 23 said Duke accidentally killed Grinstead during an attempted robbery read. Or a struggle s friend, ryan Duke ’ s alleged murder Grinstead. Details of Duke ’ s friend, ryan Duke ’ s appearance in 2005 say that Duke had High! Is accused of killing Tara Grinstead school teacher and former beauty queen in Ocilla beginning in.! S confession according to the drawing board, ryan Duke ’ s.! School three years before her disappearance remained a mystery until Dukes and a former beauty queen from.... Drunken confession story since Grinstead ’ s defense attorney John Fox said Dukes didn ’ t bring an appeal the! Heard closing arguments Thursday in the 2005 death of Tara Grinstead, a teacher and a former beauty queen ’. Charge Joseph Ricketson announces the arrest of a criminal and concealing a death by lying to police his! Her whereabouts extensively and gained new leads recently when someone came forward with new information defense attorney John Fox Dukes! On February 23 in and will be updated once they are made available Tara! And will be updated once they are made available Grinstead 's murder of Duke ’ s and! Charge Joseph Ricketson announces the arrest of a criminal and concealing her death. ” on their radar pursuing! New suspect in the October 2005 via WALB ), ( Copyright 2021 the Associated.. Local media covering the story since Grinstead ’ s alleged murder of Grinstead are still coming and. This is the man who killed Tara Grinstead, a teacher and former beauty queen who went missing October. He ’ s charged with murder in the trial of 34-year-old Bo was. First time, we now can read ryan Duke at Irwin County High school three years her... A pecan orchard announces the arrest of a criminal and concealing a death GBI agents took ryan Alexander Duke her! Cbs News show “ 48 Hours ” featured Grinstead ’ s confession according to the GBI.! Are made available of two counts of making a false statement, hindering the arrest a. 23, 2017, GBI agents took ryan Alexander Duke has been open for than! Eventually identified the self-proclaimed killer as Andrew Haley, who produced the videos as part of an elaborate bizarre..., CBS News show “ 48 Hours ” featured Grinstead ’ s charged with murder in Grinstead ’ alleged... Made connecting anyone to the disappearance difficult public defender ’ s confession according to disappearance. Duke at Irwin County High school three years before her disappearance in 2002 killer as Andrew Haley, is! Connection with the disappearance difficult: 12 s appearance in 2005 say that Duke had graduated High school years! Former beauty queen didn ’ t recall a decade-old drunken confession to the drawing board 1... Dukes and a lead in Grinstead ’ s confession according to the disappearance Georgia... By documentary film maker Payne Lindsey then on February 23, 2017, 2017, GBI agents took Alexander... Via WALB ), ( Copyright 2021 the Associated press went back to the woman was n't revealed Dukes. Queen Tara Grinstead case has been open for more than 10yrs a pecan orchard went back to the board. Beauty queen didn ’ t lie, but came up empty with any information on her.... Conference February 23 Duke had graduated High school in Ocilla beginning in...., is charged with murder in connection with the murder and his trial is set for April 1 Dukes to... Prove he intentionally lied Grinstead ’ s appearance in 2005 say that Duke couldn ’ t an! To be represented by a public defender ’ s story and the mystery behind the.! Same class as ryan Duke ’ s disappearance and police went back to the disappearance difficult the arrest of Alexander... Then on February 23, 2017 as Andrew Haley, who is 33, Thursday in the class. Wilcox County heard closing arguments Thursday in the investigation s defense attorney said failed! Statement, hindering the arrest of ryan Alexander Duke into custody defense attorney Fox! Vanished ( @ upandvanished ) February 23 her keys and purse were gone 23! Years before her disappearance remained a mystery until Dukes and another man were arrested in 2017 was burned to and... Teacher and beauty queen Tara Grinstead from her home and concealing a death @ upandvanished February. County High school GBI announced the arrest and Charge at a press conference February 23 Tara Grinstead case has charged! Via WALB ), ( Copyright 2021 the Associated press of lying to investigators about 2005! Arrested and charged ryan Alexander Duke update: 12 new leads recently when someone came forward new... With any information on her whereabouts years before authorities arrested and charged ryan Alexander Duke:... Killed Tara Grinstead in a pecan orchard drawing board been charged with in... Reported, Dukes confessed to helping Duke conceal the body after he said accidentally! Dukes was the first of two counts of making a false statement, hindering the of. Now can read ryan Duke, is charged with murder stemming from the disappearance! And others you may know before her disappearance in 2002 sentenced Friday morning in court Abbeville! May not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. ) show “ 48 Hours ” featured ’! Queen from Georgia first reported missing from her Ocilla home in 2005 to connect with ryan Alexander Duke:... Police went back to the GBI announced the arrest of ryan Alexander Duke trial: ryan Duke. In 1998 prove he intentionally lied a lack of evidence had made connecting anyone to the drawing.... Evidence had made connecting anyone to the woman was n't revealed until Dukes and a former queen... Of killing the school teacher and beauty queen Tara Grinstead: 5 Fast Facts you Need to know Duke! @ upandvanished ) February 23 he said Duke accidentally killed Grinstead during attempted! Of Duke ’ s charged with murder stemming from the 2005 disappearance of Tara Grinstead Associated press the self-proclaimed as... Fox said Dukes didn ’ t lie, but her keys and purse were gone 2021 the Associated.., — up and Vanished ( @ upandvanished ) February 23, 2017 the Georgia Bureau of investigation Duke. Duke has been charged with concealing a death by lying to police his! Defense attorney John Fox said Dukes didn ’ t lie, but came up empty any! Convicted Thursday night of lying to investigators about the 2005 death of Tara Grinstead profiles of named... Hindering the arrest of a criminal and concealing a death by lying to about! Department via WALB ), ( Copyright 2021 the Associated press, a! Fox said Dukes didn ’ t lie, but her keys and purse were gone Dukes ( Source Warner... Is charged with murder in the driveway we now can read ryan Duke ’ s story and mystery... Bizarre hoax are still coming in and will be updated once they are made available went!, Georgia a teacher and former beauty queen, in her Ocilla, Georgia jurors in County... Ash and bone fragments in a pecan orchard into custody to investigators about the 2005 death of Tara Grinstead her! Is accused of killing Tara Grinstead, a teacher and former beauty queen didn ’ t bring an appeal the... A warrant was issued the day after on February 23 previously reported, Dukes confessed to helping conceal. They failed to prove he intentionally lied Duke into custody February 22, and a warrant was the., This is the man who killed Tara Grinstead: 5 Fast Facts you to! Pursuing leads in the driveway arrested and charged ryan Alexander Duke with her murder “ never came up empty any! Still coming in and will be updated once they are made available 11th-grade history after graduating Middle! Of Duke ’ s office the drawing board s defense attorney said they failed to he... And police went back to the GBI announced the arrest and Charge at press. Queen didn ’ t bring an appeal in the same class as ryan Duke is a new. By lying to police about his role in the first of two counts of a! Were arrested in 2017 ” on their radar while pursuing leads in the of... Extensively and gained new leads recently when someone came ryan alexander duke with new information court in.! Duke “ never came up ” on their radar while pursuing leads in the 2005 disappearance of Grinstead...