1 00:00:07,541 --> 00:00:09,274 Mpy south georgia, 2 00:00:09,276 --> 00:00:12,978 The pioneering thrift family is known to everyone. 3 00:00:13,046 --> 00:00:14,479 - Back then about everybody that lived 4 00:00:14,548 --> 00:00:16,615 On swamp road was kin. 5 00:00:16,683 --> 00:00:17,950 - Oh, it was so wonderful. 6 00:00:18,018 --> 00:00:19,684 - The values of the thrift family 7 00:00:19,753 --> 00:00:24,756 Are family sticking together in good times and bad times. 8 00:00:25,392 --> 00:00:26,958 [faith] so when a 24-year-old member 9 00:00:27,027 --> 00:00:28,927 Of the clan disappears... 10 00:00:28,996 --> 00:00:30,695 - Somebody that grew up in the swamp is not 11 00:00:30,764 --> 00:00:33,698 Just gonna go out there and get lost and never come back. 12 00:00:33,700 --> 00:00:36,568 [faith] investigators are faced with a daunting backdrop. 13 00:00:37,237 --> 00:00:40,806 - The okefenokee swamp is 438,000 acres. 14 00:00:40,874 --> 00:00:43,408 That is a huge area to try and cover. 15 00:00:43,677 --> 00:00:45,878 [faith] and soon find their missing persons case 16 00:00:45,946 --> 00:00:47,679 Is just as murky. 17 00:00:47,748 --> 00:00:49,381 - There's a lotta rumors. 18 00:00:49,449 --> 00:00:50,882 - A drug deal gone bad. 19 00:00:50,951 --> 00:00:53,218 - So he tied him up and then fed him to a gator. 20 00:00:54,221 --> 00:00:57,089 - But there was absolutely nothing physical 21 00:00:57,157 --> 00:00:59,724 That I could put my hands on as evidence. 22 00:00:59,994 --> 00:01:02,094 [faith] an 18-year saga unravels 23 00:01:02,162 --> 00:01:04,062 This tight-knit family. 24 00:01:04,064 --> 00:01:05,897 - Everything my mama suffered through, 25 00:01:05,966 --> 00:01:08,033 I believe it drove her crazy. 26 00:01:08,602 --> 00:01:10,002 [faith] and reveals... 27 00:01:10,070 --> 00:01:12,537 - I asked him, "did you kill terry rouse?" 28 00:01:12,973 --> 00:01:14,873 [faith] a killer relationship. 29 00:01:14,941 --> 00:01:17,810 - He was ballsy enough to tell law enforcement, 30 00:01:17,878 --> 00:01:19,311 "well, do you have a body?" 31 00:01:20,648 --> 00:01:32,157 [dramatic music] 32 00:01:32,826 --> 00:01:33,958 - A little bit of crazy, 33 00:01:33,960 --> 00:01:34,993 A little bit of loud, 34 00:01:35,062 --> 00:01:37,161 And a whole lot of love. 35 00:01:37,163 --> 00:01:39,197 That saying applies to many families, 36 00:01:39,266 --> 00:01:40,899 But it's especially fitting 37 00:01:40,967 --> 00:01:43,268 For the thrifts of southern georgia. 38 00:01:43,270 --> 00:01:45,437 Part of a trailblazing swamp family, 39 00:01:45,505 --> 00:01:47,906 Sarah thrift, raises her three sons, 40 00:01:47,974 --> 00:01:50,508 The rouse boys, and youngest daughter 41 00:01:50,577 --> 00:01:53,978 With the love and support of her extended family. 42 00:01:53,980 --> 00:01:55,947 But when one of those sons, terry, 43 00:01:56,016 --> 00:01:59,951 Up and vanishes one spring day in 1991, 44 00:01:59,953 --> 00:02:03,121 The entire thrift clan is soon bogged down 45 00:02:03,190 --> 00:02:06,591 In a swampy decades-long family drama 46 00:02:06,593 --> 00:02:09,594 That tests even the strongest of bonds. 47 00:02:09,663 --> 00:02:12,331 [tense music] 48 00:02:12,900 --> 00:02:17,269 [upbeat music] 49 00:02:17,337 --> 00:02:20,172 - Waycross is known for the okefenokee swamp, 50 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:22,741 Full of wildlife, gators, bears, snakes. 51 00:02:23,344 --> 00:02:26,077 - The thrifts in this part of georgia 52 00:02:26,079 --> 00:02:29,247 Were known for pioneering the okefenokee swamp. 53 00:02:29,316 --> 00:02:31,283 Our family was very early settlers. 54 00:02:31,852 --> 00:02:34,486 - My grandpa and his brothers went through the depression. 55 00:02:34,554 --> 00:02:36,721 They used to come in here and log the swamp 56 00:02:36,723 --> 00:02:38,289 With mules and wagons. 57 00:02:38,359 --> 00:02:39,991 - The values of the thrift family 58 00:02:40,060 --> 00:02:42,327 Are neighbor helping neighbor, 59 00:02:42,396 --> 00:02:46,798 Family sticking together in good times and bad times, 60 00:02:46,867 --> 00:02:51,370 And just leaning on each other when they needed a hand. 61 00:02:53,139 --> 00:02:54,639 [faith] home for the thrift family 62 00:02:54,708 --> 00:02:57,509 Is on swamp road in the northwest corner 63 00:02:57,577 --> 00:03:01,680 Of this 684-square-mile-long wetland. 64 00:03:02,282 --> 00:03:03,514 - Back then, about everybody 65 00:03:03,516 --> 00:03:05,684 That lived on swamp road was kin. 66 00:03:05,752 --> 00:03:07,652 My mom was sarah thrift. 67 00:03:07,654 --> 00:03:10,522 So we had a very, very close family coming up. 68 00:03:10,590 --> 00:03:12,057 Big family. 69 00:03:12,125 --> 00:03:13,992 I mean, it wasn't just the immediate family. 70 00:03:14,061 --> 00:03:16,061 I mean, it was extended family too. 71 00:03:16,997 --> 00:03:18,029 - Oh, it was so wonderful. 72 00:03:18,098 --> 00:03:20,999 We would go to my grandparents' house, 73 00:03:21,001 --> 00:03:22,968 Which was conveniently across the street 74 00:03:23,036 --> 00:03:24,236 From where we lived. 75 00:03:24,238 --> 00:03:25,303 We'd do fish fries, 76 00:03:25,372 --> 00:03:27,639 And all the aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, 77 00:03:27,641 --> 00:03:30,775 Would come and gather and cook big meals. 78 00:03:31,145 --> 00:03:33,378 - You're seeing a family that gets along. 79 00:03:33,446 --> 00:03:34,879 - It was just, it was great. 80 00:03:34,948 --> 00:03:35,647 It was really great. 81 00:03:36,750 --> 00:03:40,218 [faith] in 1965, at just 16 years old, 82 00:03:40,287 --> 00:03:42,053 Sarah thrift has the first 83 00:03:42,055 --> 00:03:45,090 Of what will soon be four children. 84 00:03:46,093 --> 00:03:49,527 [shannon] jerry, he's the oldest. 85 00:03:49,596 --> 00:03:50,328 Terry. 86 00:03:50,330 --> 00:03:52,464 - Got a camera on there, everybody. 87 00:03:52,866 --> 00:03:54,432 - Is the middle. 88 00:03:54,434 --> 00:03:56,768 And then I'm the youngest son. 89 00:03:56,770 --> 00:04:00,038 And then we also have a little sister called angel. 90 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:01,106 [laughing] 91 00:04:01,174 --> 00:04:03,975 - My mom was close with all her boys. 92 00:04:03,977 --> 00:04:05,777 She was young, 93 00:04:05,846 --> 00:04:07,045 So they were her sons, 94 00:04:07,113 --> 00:04:10,548 But they were her little buddies too, you know? 95 00:04:10,617 --> 00:04:13,318 [faith] the swamp is not only the family's lifeblood, 96 00:04:13,387 --> 00:04:15,987 It's also the boys' childhood playground. 97 00:04:16,056 --> 00:04:17,289 And as they grow up, 98 00:04:17,357 --> 00:04:19,258 They learn about all of its wonder 99 00:04:19,326 --> 00:04:21,192 And all of its dangers. 100 00:04:21,261 --> 00:04:22,794 - We stayed in the swamp a lot 101 00:04:22,863 --> 00:04:24,963 'cause we liked to hunt and fish. 102 00:04:25,032 --> 00:04:28,667 We run wild and got home at dark, you know? 103 00:04:29,469 --> 00:04:31,069 If we're out there in the canoes or boats, 104 00:04:31,137 --> 00:04:33,137 You know, gators, they come up to the boat. 105 00:04:33,139 --> 00:04:35,807 But all you have to do is just take your paddle or whatever 106 00:04:35,876 --> 00:04:37,075 And just tap 'em on the head 107 00:04:37,143 --> 00:04:38,777 And they go on about their business. 108 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:41,413 [water whooshing] 109 00:04:43,517 --> 00:04:49,187 The closest cousins that we had was craig and larry jr. 110 00:04:49,255 --> 00:04:52,090 'cause we lived right there side by side together, 111 00:04:52,158 --> 00:04:53,759 You know, and growed up together. 112 00:04:54,828 --> 00:04:56,260 [woman] there's uncle larry, 113 00:04:56,330 --> 00:04:58,630 Terry, grandpa, and craig. 114 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,234 - Terry and craig were first cousins 115 00:05:02,302 --> 00:05:04,635 And they were like brothers. 116 00:05:04,637 --> 00:05:07,071 - After they got on up in the teenager years, you know, 117 00:05:07,141 --> 00:05:08,973 They was kind of unseparable, you know? 118 00:05:09,042 --> 00:05:10,575 They both were kinda scrappy, 119 00:05:10,644 --> 00:05:14,145 Liked to have a good time and cut up and joke and drink. 120 00:05:14,214 --> 00:05:15,780 [faith] and fight. 121 00:05:15,782 --> 00:05:17,115 Lots of fighting. 122 00:05:17,183 --> 00:05:18,783 [upbeat rock music] 123 00:05:18,785 --> 00:05:21,419 - Terry was wild, funny. 124 00:05:21,488 --> 00:05:23,855 He could be a good guy or a bad guy. 125 00:05:23,924 --> 00:05:24,989 - He loved watching wrestling. 126 00:05:25,058 --> 00:05:26,290 He loved to fight. 127 00:05:26,292 --> 00:05:28,926 Just barroom brawl, you know? 128 00:05:29,863 --> 00:05:32,397 - He was known for not wanting to back down. 129 00:05:32,466 --> 00:05:34,499 I mean if somebody wanted to tussle, I mean, 130 00:05:34,568 --> 00:05:36,901 Terry, he would oblige you with a fight. 131 00:05:36,970 --> 00:05:38,804 [upbeat rock music] 132 00:05:38,872 --> 00:05:41,005 - Craig, he is 6'9". 133 00:05:41,007 --> 00:05:44,309 He is a huge, impressive man. 134 00:05:45,345 --> 00:05:46,611 - If somebody was after one 135 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:48,180 Or one was into it with somebody, 136 00:05:48,248 --> 00:05:49,481 The other one, craig or terry, 137 00:05:49,549 --> 00:05:51,749 They always had each other's back. 138 00:05:51,818 --> 00:05:54,286 [upbeat rock music] 139 00:05:55,288 --> 00:05:57,088 [faith] after graduating high school, 140 00:05:57,157 --> 00:06:01,059 The cousins stay at home to work for craig's dad, larry sr., 141 00:06:01,127 --> 00:06:04,963 Sarah thrift's brother, at his business thrift concrete. 142 00:06:05,699 --> 00:06:07,432 - They was with each other all the time 143 00:06:07,501 --> 00:06:08,432 'cause they worked together 144 00:06:08,434 --> 00:06:10,568 In the concrete business pouring concrete, 145 00:06:10,637 --> 00:06:12,770 And hung out together on the weekends too. 146 00:06:12,839 --> 00:06:15,273 Two peas in a pod more or less, yeah. 147 00:06:15,341 --> 00:06:16,975 - Craig and terry were inseparable. 148 00:06:17,043 --> 00:06:19,978 It seemed you couldn't see one without the other. 149 00:06:20,046 --> 00:06:21,579 But that all changed. 150 00:06:21,648 --> 00:06:25,183 On Saturday morning, may 11th, 1991, 151 00:06:25,251 --> 00:06:27,585 Just one day before mother's day, 152 00:06:27,654 --> 00:06:30,722 The matriarch of the rouse family, sarah, 153 00:06:30,790 --> 00:06:33,525 Receives a call she'll never forget 154 00:06:33,593 --> 00:06:37,262 Because it's a call that will soon change her life forever. 155 00:06:37,797 --> 00:06:39,597 [tense music] 156 00:06:39,666 --> 00:06:42,667 - I was at home that morning. 157 00:06:42,736 --> 00:06:44,836 My mom called me and said that she had got a call 158 00:06:44,905 --> 00:06:47,605 From the state troopers saying that terry's car 159 00:06:47,674 --> 00:06:49,674 Was at the swamp park entrance, sitting there, 160 00:06:49,676 --> 00:06:53,311 And that if we didn't go get the car, 161 00:06:53,379 --> 00:06:55,213 That they was going to have it towed in. 162 00:06:55,281 --> 00:06:57,516 [tense music] 163 00:06:57,584 --> 00:06:59,851 - When terry's two brothers arrive at the swamp, 164 00:06:59,920 --> 00:07:02,620 The georgia state trooper is already gone. 165 00:07:02,689 --> 00:07:03,688 All that remains 166 00:07:03,757 --> 00:07:07,492 Is their middle brother's 1979 blue thunderbird 167 00:07:07,561 --> 00:07:08,960 And a whole lot of questions. 168 00:07:10,230 --> 00:07:11,229 - I walked to the car 169 00:07:11,298 --> 00:07:13,231 And the car was just sitting there 170 00:07:13,300 --> 00:07:15,033 With both windows rolled down. 171 00:07:15,101 --> 00:07:17,936 I opened the door and got in and the car was switched on. 172 00:07:18,238 --> 00:07:20,504 And we went to crank it up, 173 00:07:20,506 --> 00:07:21,373 But it wouldn't crank up. 174 00:07:21,441 --> 00:07:23,908 And then we realized it didn't have no gas in it 175 00:07:23,977 --> 00:07:26,044 And we had to go back and get a can of gas, 176 00:07:26,112 --> 00:07:27,311 Come back and pour in it. 177 00:07:27,313 --> 00:07:28,780 And then we finally got it started. 178 00:07:28,848 --> 00:07:30,148 [engine starts up] 179 00:07:30,216 --> 00:07:32,784 And whenever I backed the car up, 180 00:07:32,852 --> 00:07:35,587 I could tell where the grass from the motor 181 00:07:35,655 --> 00:07:37,789 To where the tail pipe run down the car, 182 00:07:37,857 --> 00:07:39,624 That all the grass was already dead. 183 00:07:39,626 --> 00:07:41,626 So I knew then something wasn't right 184 00:07:41,694 --> 00:07:44,196 'cause the car had sat there and idled in that position 185 00:07:44,264 --> 00:07:45,797 'til it ran outta gas. 186 00:07:45,865 --> 00:07:48,500 [tense music] 187 00:07:50,003 --> 00:07:51,202 So me and my brother, 188 00:07:51,271 --> 00:07:54,539 We rode the railroad tracks looking for any sign of terry 189 00:07:54,607 --> 00:07:57,075 Or any tracks or anything like that. 190 00:07:57,143 --> 00:07:58,076 And didn't see nothing. 191 00:07:59,312 --> 00:08:00,879 [train rumbling] 192 00:08:03,283 --> 00:08:05,283 It wouldn't been nothing unusual, you know, 193 00:08:05,351 --> 00:08:07,552 For terry to spend the night with a girl. 194 00:08:07,621 --> 00:08:09,320 Or he might be at a grandparent's house 195 00:08:09,389 --> 00:08:10,755 Or he might be at my house 196 00:08:10,823 --> 00:08:13,324 Or he might be at jerry's house. 197 00:08:13,393 --> 00:08:15,359 But at that point in time, 198 00:08:15,429 --> 00:08:17,062 He wasn't at none of these places. 199 00:08:18,765 --> 00:08:21,332 [faith] jerry and shannon checked the other obvious place 200 00:08:21,401 --> 00:08:23,034 Their brother may be. 201 00:08:23,103 --> 00:08:23,901 [sarah] hi, craig! 202 00:08:23,971 --> 00:08:24,836 Turn around. 203 00:08:24,904 --> 00:08:26,638 - Normally he would go by and pick craig up 204 00:08:26,706 --> 00:08:28,039 In the morning for work 205 00:08:28,041 --> 00:08:29,774 'cause craig didn't have a driver's license 206 00:08:29,776 --> 00:08:33,278 For years and years because of his duis that he had. 207 00:08:33,346 --> 00:08:34,980 Craig and his wife, rhonda, 208 00:08:35,048 --> 00:08:37,682 Said that terry never showed up that morning. 209 00:08:37,750 --> 00:08:39,918 Even the babysitter that was there at the time said 210 00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:43,321 That terry didn't show up at that time to pick him up. 211 00:08:43,824 --> 00:08:45,657 Something wasn't right with the situation. 212 00:08:46,092 --> 00:08:48,860 It wasn't like terry to ever miss a day of work. 213 00:08:48,929 --> 00:08:52,396 [tense music] 214 00:08:52,466 --> 00:08:54,365 We gathered back up at mama's house, you know, 215 00:08:54,434 --> 00:08:56,734 And, yeah, she was pretty well freaked out. 216 00:08:56,803 --> 00:08:58,736 She could get freaked out pretty easy. 217 00:08:58,805 --> 00:09:01,172 Like I say, she was pretty well high strung. 218 00:09:02,008 --> 00:09:05,143 - My mama knew that something bad had happened to terry 219 00:09:05,211 --> 00:09:07,411 Because he wouldn't just get up and leave like that. 220 00:09:07,413 --> 00:09:08,980 That was not his mo. 221 00:09:10,216 --> 00:09:12,016 She was thinking the worst. 222 00:09:12,085 --> 00:09:14,552 [dramatic music] 223 00:09:14,621 --> 00:09:15,753 - We were looking for buzzards 224 00:09:15,822 --> 00:09:18,089 Because buzzards always come to something that's dead. 225 00:09:19,092 --> 00:09:20,558 - There were rumors that terry had owed 226 00:09:20,627 --> 00:09:23,595 Around $100,000 for drugs. 227 00:09:24,064 --> 00:09:25,229 - I mean, I've seen her. 228 00:09:25,231 --> 00:09:26,464 She'll pull that gun on people. 229 00:09:26,533 --> 00:09:30,401 People were scared to death of her 230 00:09:30,403 --> 00:09:32,003 'cause she was 231 00:09:32,072 --> 00:09:33,437 Crazy. 232 00:09:33,439 --> 00:09:35,473 - Whoever he had crossed made him disappear. 233 00:09:42,983 --> 00:09:45,950 [dramatic music] 234 00:09:45,952 --> 00:09:47,319 - After a night out partying, 235 00:09:47,387 --> 00:09:50,322 Terry rouse's blue thunderbird is found abandoned 236 00:09:50,390 --> 00:09:51,990 A few miles from his home 237 00:09:52,058 --> 00:09:55,093 At an entrance to the okefenokee swamp. 238 00:09:55,161 --> 00:09:56,595 He hasn't shown up to work 239 00:09:56,663 --> 00:09:59,664 And family and friends have not heard from him. 240 00:09:59,733 --> 00:10:02,667 His mom and sister think back to the evening before 241 00:10:02,736 --> 00:10:05,203 When terry stopped by sarah thrift's home 242 00:10:05,271 --> 00:10:06,538 To grab a jacket. 243 00:10:09,375 --> 00:10:10,942 - Me and my mama were asleep. 244 00:10:11,011 --> 00:10:14,879 I remember mama saying that the doorbell was ringing. 245 00:10:15,481 --> 00:10:18,783 So I got up with mama to go see who it was and it was terry. 246 00:10:18,852 --> 00:10:23,020 And he was standing under the carport and he said, 247 00:10:23,089 --> 00:10:24,622 "I'm going, I'm gonna ride out on the swamp. 248 00:10:24,691 --> 00:10:27,792 I'm gonna go out there to a party." 249 00:10:27,860 --> 00:10:31,429 And I remember mama telling terry, 250 00:10:31,497 --> 00:10:33,565 "well, son, don't get in no trouble." 251 00:10:33,633 --> 00:10:35,033 And terry's response back to her, says, 252 00:10:35,101 --> 00:10:36,368 "well, mama, you know I'm gonna fight. 253 00:10:36,436 --> 00:10:37,969 I love it." 254 00:10:38,038 --> 00:10:41,272 [dramatic music] 255 00:10:41,274 --> 00:10:46,477 So my mama believed that he'd got into a fight at that party 256 00:10:46,479 --> 00:10:47,779 And that killed him. 257 00:10:49,449 --> 00:10:51,015 - The party was at a house 258 00:10:51,017 --> 00:10:54,352 That belonged to a friend of ours, shane carter. 259 00:10:54,420 --> 00:10:56,554 [angel] she thought that maybe they 260 00:10:56,622 --> 00:10:58,556 Didn't kill him intentionally. 261 00:10:58,624 --> 00:11:00,392 Maybe they were all drunk, got in a fight, 262 00:11:00,460 --> 00:11:02,794 And maybe he got hit too hard on the head. 263 00:11:02,862 --> 00:11:04,362 And then they're all drunk and saying, 264 00:11:04,430 --> 00:11:05,463 "hey, we got this dead body. 265 00:11:05,531 --> 00:11:07,265 What do we do with it?" 266 00:11:07,333 --> 00:11:09,867 [dramatic music] 267 00:11:09,936 --> 00:11:11,735 [faith] if terry was injured at the party 268 00:11:11,737 --> 00:11:13,071 And is still alive, 269 00:11:13,139 --> 00:11:16,140 The rouses think he's likely struggling somewhere 270 00:11:16,209 --> 00:11:18,743 Near where his car was found by the trooper, 271 00:11:18,811 --> 00:11:20,845 At the entrance to swamp park, 272 00:11:20,914 --> 00:11:23,615 Just a few miles down the road from their house. 273 00:11:25,018 --> 00:11:28,253 - So larry, craig, me, my mom, 274 00:11:28,321 --> 00:11:29,821 A few more of our cousins, 275 00:11:29,889 --> 00:11:34,225 We had all gathered up and all went to the swamp park. 276 00:11:34,294 --> 00:11:39,864 [dramatic music]] 277 00:11:39,932 --> 00:11:41,700 Been out there looking and didn't see nothing. 278 00:11:41,768 --> 00:11:43,367 And so after the first day went by, 279 00:11:43,436 --> 00:11:47,338 We knew something was wrong then by terry not coming back 280 00:11:47,407 --> 00:11:49,641 Or nothing being found of him. 281 00:11:49,709 --> 00:11:51,776 You know, it was just like he vanished. 282 00:11:52,178 --> 00:11:53,544 [faith] on Sunday morning, 283 00:11:53,546 --> 00:11:57,014 36 hours after the family last saw terry, 284 00:11:57,016 --> 00:12:00,384 Sarah thrift files a missing persons report. 285 00:12:00,453 --> 00:12:01,986 She also tells law enforcement 286 00:12:02,055 --> 00:12:04,322 That terry's two registered guns 287 00:12:04,390 --> 00:12:08,192 And a knife with his initials on it are all missing. 288 00:12:08,194 --> 00:12:10,662 - I wanted to try and do what I could 289 00:12:10,730 --> 00:12:12,797 Because it does affect me. 290 00:12:12,866 --> 00:12:14,432 Terry was like me. 291 00:12:14,500 --> 00:12:15,900 His mother was a thrift. 292 00:12:15,902 --> 00:12:17,068 Terry was my cousin. 293 00:12:17,137 --> 00:12:20,471 So I was assigned to help investigate this case 294 00:12:20,540 --> 00:12:22,573 Because I had the trust to be able to go 295 00:12:22,575 --> 00:12:23,575 And talk to a lot of them. 296 00:12:23,643 --> 00:12:26,144 And because of my relationship, 297 00:12:26,212 --> 00:12:28,880 I was kinda tasked with being the liaison. 298 00:12:30,583 --> 00:12:31,783 [faith] detectives search the area 299 00:12:31,851 --> 00:12:33,485 Where the car was abandoned, 300 00:12:33,553 --> 00:12:35,920 In addition to looking through the thunderbird, 301 00:12:35,988 --> 00:12:37,388 But they find nothing. 302 00:12:37,457 --> 00:12:39,357 No trace of terry in the woods. 303 00:12:39,425 --> 00:12:42,593 No blood in the area where the vehicle was found. 304 00:12:42,595 --> 00:12:45,329 No evidence of any kind of struggle. 305 00:12:45,398 --> 00:12:48,332 And, frankly, that doesn't surprise them one bit, 306 00:12:48,401 --> 00:12:49,967 At least at this point. 307 00:12:50,036 --> 00:12:51,535 [dramatic music] 308 00:12:51,605 --> 00:12:54,905 - You have to remember, at the time, terry was an adult. 309 00:12:54,907 --> 00:12:56,407 Who's he missing to? 310 00:12:56,476 --> 00:12:57,741 He's missing to his mom, 311 00:12:57,811 --> 00:13:00,444 But he could have gone off with someone, 312 00:13:00,446 --> 00:13:03,381 Just chose not to come to work that morning. 313 00:13:03,449 --> 00:13:06,184 There was a litany of things that could have taken place 314 00:13:06,252 --> 00:13:09,687 As to why he was missing or where he was at. 315 00:13:11,892 --> 00:13:14,158 [faith] but with every passing hour without terry 316 00:13:14,227 --> 00:13:15,626 And no word from him, 317 00:13:15,695 --> 00:13:18,496 His family's concerns magnify. 318 00:13:18,564 --> 00:13:21,799 And after 72 hours with no explanation 319 00:13:21,868 --> 00:13:23,400 As to why he vanished, 320 00:13:23,470 --> 00:13:27,205 Law enforcement also now feels something may be amiss. 321 00:13:27,607 --> 00:13:29,507 At the end of day three, 322 00:13:29,575 --> 00:13:31,543 They conduct a grid search of the swamp. 323 00:13:31,611 --> 00:13:34,111 [gentle guitar music] 324 00:13:34,180 --> 00:13:38,082 - One of the problems that we had was the area was so large. 325 00:13:38,084 --> 00:13:42,553 The okefenokee swamp is 438,000 acres, 326 00:13:42,622 --> 00:13:45,856 And that is a huge area to try and cover. 327 00:13:45,926 --> 00:13:47,825 And a lot of it's inaccessible. 328 00:13:47,894 --> 00:13:49,360 You can't drive in it. 329 00:13:49,429 --> 00:13:52,396 The only way you can get in there is either by boat, 330 00:13:52,465 --> 00:13:54,098 Walk in on foot, 331 00:13:54,167 --> 00:13:55,399 Or fly over it. 332 00:13:55,735 --> 00:13:57,501 [faith] the ware county sheriff's office 333 00:13:57,503 --> 00:14:01,673 Leads two days of dusk-to-dawn search parties in the swamp. 334 00:14:02,508 --> 00:14:05,677 - Exhaustive searches, canines, helicopters, 335 00:14:05,745 --> 00:14:08,712 All those resources were brought to bear 336 00:14:08,714 --> 00:14:10,448 And nothing was found, 337 00:14:10,516 --> 00:14:12,016 Nothing surfaced. 338 00:14:14,387 --> 00:14:17,989 - There's bears, there's panthers, and alligators 339 00:14:18,057 --> 00:14:21,092 And you can get bit by a snake or something like that 340 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:23,995 And possibly die and not make it outta the woods. 341 00:14:24,063 --> 00:14:27,565 But you never hear of anybody ever get killed by one. 342 00:14:27,633 --> 00:14:28,766 You ain't saying you couldn't, 343 00:14:28,834 --> 00:14:30,969 But somebody that grew up in the swamp 344 00:14:30,971 --> 00:14:33,071 Is not just gonna go out there and never come back. 345 00:14:34,306 --> 00:14:37,609 - So at some point you have to look at another answer 346 00:14:37,677 --> 00:14:40,111 As to what happened to terry rouse. 347 00:14:41,180 --> 00:14:43,615 [faith] five days after he was last seen, 348 00:14:43,683 --> 00:14:45,283 With help from his family, 349 00:14:45,351 --> 00:14:47,985 Investigators check terry's bank account records, 350 00:14:48,054 --> 00:14:50,654 But don't see any atm withdrawals 351 00:14:50,723 --> 00:14:52,523 Or any transactions at all. 352 00:14:52,592 --> 00:14:54,392 So they begin interviewing everyone 353 00:14:54,460 --> 00:14:56,060 At the party terry attended 354 00:14:56,062 --> 00:14:58,562 The night before his disappearance. 355 00:14:58,564 --> 00:14:59,697 - Terry was there. 356 00:14:59,765 --> 00:15:00,999 Craig was there. 357 00:15:01,001 --> 00:15:02,733 Rhonda was there. 358 00:15:02,735 --> 00:15:04,736 - Craig and rhonda did not stay all night. 359 00:15:04,804 --> 00:15:05,869 They left pretty early, 360 00:15:05,871 --> 00:15:09,273 Probably somewhere between 10:00 pm and midnight 361 00:15:09,275 --> 00:15:10,108 That night. 362 00:15:11,377 --> 00:15:13,377 There had been a couple fights that night at the party, 363 00:15:13,446 --> 00:15:16,113 But terry was not involved in those fights. 364 00:15:16,182 --> 00:15:18,082 [tense music] 365 00:15:18,084 --> 00:15:21,018 Several persons stated during their interviews 366 00:15:21,087 --> 00:15:23,121 That at possibly around 4:00 in the morning, 367 00:15:23,123 --> 00:15:24,922 Terry was still there at the house 368 00:15:24,991 --> 00:15:27,125 In front of the residence, sitting in his vehicle. 369 00:15:27,994 --> 00:15:29,727 - Someone actually spoke with terry 370 00:15:29,795 --> 00:15:31,729 As he was leaving the party. 371 00:15:31,797 --> 00:15:37,468 And that was the last confirmed time he was seen by someone. 372 00:15:39,005 --> 00:15:41,038 [faith] the investigators interview many members 373 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:42,674 Of the large thrift family, 374 00:15:42,742 --> 00:15:44,642 But nothing leads them towards a reason 375 00:15:44,710 --> 00:15:46,544 For terry's disappearance. 376 00:15:47,780 --> 00:15:49,547 As each day passes 377 00:15:49,615 --> 00:15:51,282 And weeks build upon weeks 378 00:15:51,350 --> 00:15:54,418 Without any movement in the investigation, 379 00:15:54,420 --> 00:15:58,723 His large family and especially his strong-willed mother, sarah, 380 00:15:58,791 --> 00:16:02,160 Are crushed by the indefinite uncertainty. 381 00:16:03,296 --> 00:16:05,896 - I saw the grief that they were going through 382 00:16:05,898 --> 00:16:09,567 And it was overwhelming for me, 383 00:16:09,635 --> 00:16:13,471 Being a mother and knowing what that would do to me. 384 00:16:13,539 --> 00:16:15,773 [melancholy music] 385 00:16:15,841 --> 00:16:18,042 - Not knowing is a bad thing. 386 00:16:18,111 --> 00:16:20,078 Me not knowing as a brother's bad. 387 00:16:20,146 --> 00:16:23,247 I couldn't imagine not knowing and being in her shoes. 388 00:16:23,917 --> 00:16:27,985 - My mama's primary focus was finding terry. 389 00:16:28,053 --> 00:16:29,854 [tense music] 390 00:16:29,922 --> 00:16:30,888 She was on a mission. 391 00:16:30,957 --> 00:16:34,525 She was gonna find him alive, dead, it didn't matter. 392 00:16:36,128 --> 00:16:38,796 My mom had flyers made when terry went missing. 393 00:16:39,465 --> 00:16:43,835 - Terry's photo was splattered all over south georgia 394 00:16:43,903 --> 00:16:45,336 And north florida. 395 00:16:45,405 --> 00:16:47,105 [dramatic music] 396 00:16:47,107 --> 00:16:49,006 - That led to a lotta speculation. 397 00:16:49,075 --> 00:16:50,207 That speculation leads 398 00:16:50,276 --> 00:16:51,743 To a lot of folk coming forward, 399 00:16:51,811 --> 00:16:54,045 Saying they have information. 400 00:16:55,248 --> 00:16:57,748 - If you had asked 100 people 401 00:16:57,750 --> 00:17:00,083 What they thought happened to terry, 402 00:17:00,085 --> 00:17:03,755 We, we got 100 different speculations or responses. 403 00:17:03,823 --> 00:17:04,989 [tense music continues] 404 00:17:05,057 --> 00:17:07,759 - The crowd that, that terry was known to run with, 405 00:17:07,827 --> 00:17:10,728 They enjoyed partying, drinking, 406 00:17:10,796 --> 00:17:13,064 Smoking a little marijuana at times. 407 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:16,367 - There were rumors that there was two males 408 00:17:16,436 --> 00:17:18,536 That came up to waycross at one time 409 00:17:18,604 --> 00:17:22,640 And terry had owed them a lotta money for drugs. 410 00:17:22,842 --> 00:17:24,776 We heard one account where it was an amount 411 00:17:24,844 --> 00:17:26,577 Of like $15,000 412 00:17:26,646 --> 00:17:27,911 And there was another account 413 00:17:27,913 --> 00:17:29,447 That he allegedly had owed some people 414 00:17:29,515 --> 00:17:32,316 Around $100,000 for drugs. 415 00:17:32,385 --> 00:17:34,285 [dramatic music] 416 00:17:34,353 --> 00:17:35,586 - There was two schools of thought. 417 00:17:35,655 --> 00:17:36,920 One was that he had disappeared 418 00:17:36,990 --> 00:17:40,758 To avoid whoever he owed money to or whoever he had crossed. 419 00:17:40,826 --> 00:17:41,925 And the other school of thought was 420 00:17:41,927 --> 00:17:44,996 That whoever he had crossed had made him disappear. 421 00:17:45,064 --> 00:17:48,366 [suspenseful music] 422 00:17:53,005 --> 00:17:55,006 [melancholy music] 423 00:17:55,074 --> 00:17:55,973 - It is been five weeks 424 00:17:56,042 --> 00:18:00,144 Since 24-year-old terry rouse simply disappeared. 425 00:18:00,213 --> 00:18:03,547 There's been no real leads, only speculation, 426 00:18:03,549 --> 00:18:06,717 Including rumors that terry may have been deep in debt 427 00:18:06,719 --> 00:18:08,186 To a drug dealer. 428 00:18:10,322 --> 00:18:12,756 - Drug trade in waycross, especially during that time, 429 00:18:12,825 --> 00:18:16,093 Was a lot of marijuana. 430 00:18:16,562 --> 00:18:19,697 - He'd done drugs but, you know, smoked pot and drank. 431 00:18:19,765 --> 00:18:20,664 But I mean, 432 00:18:20,733 --> 00:18:22,766 He wouldn't never owe nobody thousands of dollars 433 00:18:22,835 --> 00:18:24,769 For any kinda of dope back then. 434 00:18:25,705 --> 00:18:28,639 - You wouldn't think that people would commit a murder 435 00:18:28,708 --> 00:18:30,274 Over a small amount, 436 00:18:30,342 --> 00:18:32,376 Say a misdemeanor amount of marijuana. 437 00:18:32,444 --> 00:18:34,011 But they absolutely would. 438 00:18:34,080 --> 00:18:36,180 That was not uncommon in south georgia. 439 00:18:36,248 --> 00:18:39,517 [tense music] 440 00:18:39,585 --> 00:18:41,152 [faith] the investigators look into the rumors 441 00:18:41,220 --> 00:18:42,987 Of a drug deal gone bad. 442 00:18:43,055 --> 00:18:44,722 But by mid-July, 443 00:18:44,790 --> 00:18:46,057 With no real progress 444 00:18:46,125 --> 00:18:48,692 In the nearly two-months long investigation, 445 00:18:48,761 --> 00:18:51,995 Sarah thrift's children began to see a marked shift 446 00:18:51,997 --> 00:18:53,364 In their mother's behavior. 447 00:18:54,500 --> 00:18:55,933 - Even though while ware county was conducting 448 00:18:56,002 --> 00:18:57,268 Their own investigation, 449 00:18:57,336 --> 00:18:59,303 She was conducting one herself. 450 00:19:00,606 --> 00:19:02,506 - She was pretty clever in a lot of ways. 451 00:19:02,574 --> 00:19:04,608 She tried to do her own detective work. 452 00:19:04,677 --> 00:19:06,310 If the law told her about a lead, 453 00:19:06,378 --> 00:19:08,813 She would also follow up on the lead herself. 454 00:19:10,382 --> 00:19:12,450 - She had like a '91 red thunderbird. 455 00:19:12,518 --> 00:19:15,953 Had a 5.0 liter engine in it, like a mustang. 456 00:19:16,022 --> 00:19:17,955 She's got a police scanner in it. 457 00:19:18,024 --> 00:19:21,291 She has a cb radio in there. 458 00:19:21,293 --> 00:19:24,094 She has her little snub nose .38 loaded 459 00:19:24,096 --> 00:19:27,365 That sat right there between the console and the seat. 460 00:19:28,133 --> 00:19:29,066 She just didn't care. 461 00:19:29,134 --> 00:19:30,400 I mean, I've seen her. 462 00:19:30,402 --> 00:19:31,969 She pulled that gun on people. 463 00:19:32,638 --> 00:19:36,040 People were scared to death of her. 464 00:19:36,108 --> 00:19:38,576 I mean they were, 465 00:19:38,644 --> 00:19:40,778 'cause she was 466 00:19:40,780 --> 00:19:41,879 Crazy. 467 00:19:43,683 --> 00:19:47,084 [faith] but sarah's persistence finally pays off. 468 00:19:47,153 --> 00:19:49,687 In late July of 1991, 469 00:19:49,755 --> 00:19:51,555 Her own hard scrabble, 470 00:19:51,557 --> 00:19:54,291 One-woman investigation unearths a lead. 471 00:19:54,293 --> 00:19:57,895 And it's not what she or anyone else expects. 472 00:19:58,898 --> 00:20:00,898 - Well, mother, she just come out more or less told me, 473 00:20:00,967 --> 00:20:03,868 You know, that terry and rhonda was seeing each other. 474 00:20:05,671 --> 00:20:07,571 I don't know if rhonda had told her. 475 00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:09,507 I don't know how deeply in love. 476 00:20:09,575 --> 00:20:12,076 I just knew that they had been seeing one another 477 00:20:12,144 --> 00:20:13,911 For a while. 478 00:20:13,979 --> 00:20:17,915 I think it might've been a on-and-off-again kinda thing. 479 00:20:17,984 --> 00:20:21,719 And I think it was on at the time of his disappearance. 480 00:20:22,722 --> 00:20:26,290 - Terry and craig are cousins, coworkers, best friends, 481 00:20:26,358 --> 00:20:29,060 And they have been for 24 years. 482 00:20:29,128 --> 00:20:31,095 Yet, despite all of that, 483 00:20:31,163 --> 00:20:33,731 They seem to be sleeping with the same woman, 484 00:20:33,799 --> 00:20:35,165 Craig's wife. 485 00:20:35,234 --> 00:20:37,601 As the detectives question sarah thrift 486 00:20:37,670 --> 00:20:40,103 And pry deeper in terry's past, 487 00:20:40,173 --> 00:20:41,472 They learn about a story 488 00:20:41,540 --> 00:20:44,375 From high school concerning the cousins. 489 00:20:46,111 --> 00:20:47,644 - Terry dated a girl named rhonda 490 00:20:47,713 --> 00:20:50,814 And he dated her for a while. 491 00:20:50,883 --> 00:20:54,885 And then after they broke up, it wasn't too long, 492 00:20:54,954 --> 00:20:56,587 Just a couple of months maybe, 493 00:20:56,655 --> 00:20:59,623 Her and craig started seeing each other. 494 00:20:59,692 --> 00:21:01,925 But it's usually that guy rule that, you know, 495 00:21:01,994 --> 00:21:05,529 You don't date another guy's ex or whatever, you know? 496 00:21:05,598 --> 00:21:08,465 But anyhow, in this case, you know, it did happen. 497 00:21:08,467 --> 00:21:09,733 Terry never let on to me 498 00:21:09,735 --> 00:21:11,602 That he was upset about their breakup. 499 00:21:13,305 --> 00:21:14,171 Then next thing you know, 500 00:21:14,239 --> 00:21:16,874 Her and craig are gonna have a child together. 501 00:21:16,942 --> 00:21:20,210 [dramatic music] 502 00:21:20,212 --> 00:21:21,112 - When they got married, 503 00:21:21,180 --> 00:21:23,747 I just remember terry being upset about that. 504 00:21:23,749 --> 00:21:26,951 But yet still, terry and craig were still close. 505 00:21:28,554 --> 00:21:30,487 - You know, we still hung out together. 506 00:21:30,556 --> 00:21:32,322 We worked together. 507 00:21:32,392 --> 00:21:33,858 We partied together. 508 00:21:36,061 --> 00:21:39,863 - So I'm assuming at some point, 509 00:21:39,865 --> 00:21:43,400 Terry and rhonda picked back up where they left off, 510 00:21:43,402 --> 00:21:45,636 You know, while she was still married to craig. 511 00:21:45,705 --> 00:21:47,471 [tense music] 512 00:21:47,540 --> 00:21:49,873 - Detectives and family members are now forced 513 00:21:49,875 --> 00:21:52,743 To ask themselves a very difficult question. 514 00:21:52,812 --> 00:21:55,112 Did craig find out about the affair? 515 00:21:55,181 --> 00:21:57,681 And did his anger break their blood bond, 516 00:21:57,683 --> 00:21:59,650 Leading to the unthinkable? 517 00:22:01,754 --> 00:22:03,821 - It is inconceivable, more or less, yes. 518 00:22:03,889 --> 00:22:05,389 Definitely inconceivable. 519 00:22:05,457 --> 00:22:09,193 Craig, he don't seem like the psychopathic killer. 520 00:22:09,195 --> 00:22:11,195 That's the last thing on your mind. 521 00:22:11,263 --> 00:22:14,097 - Hard to believe that craig 522 00:22:14,099 --> 00:22:17,101 Could have done anything to terry, as close as they were. 523 00:22:17,169 --> 00:22:22,472 - I never seen craig show any jealousy at all towards terry 524 00:22:22,474 --> 00:22:25,242 Or anything to do with terry and rhonda. 525 00:22:25,911 --> 00:22:28,512 Terry would spend the night with them, you know? 526 00:22:28,580 --> 00:22:31,715 He'd stay over, you know, spend the weekends there. 527 00:22:31,717 --> 00:22:33,917 - Our family was so close knit. 528 00:22:33,986 --> 00:22:35,385 My mama, you know, 529 00:22:35,455 --> 00:22:38,022 She didn't look at craig as just a nephew. 530 00:22:38,090 --> 00:22:40,758 Craig was like one of her boys 531 00:22:40,826 --> 00:22:43,226 Because they were around each other so much. 532 00:22:43,696 --> 00:22:47,397 So in her mind, there was no way of even beginning 533 00:22:47,467 --> 00:22:51,368 To even contemplate that craig had been part 534 00:22:51,437 --> 00:22:53,904 Of something to do with terry. 535 00:22:54,540 --> 00:22:56,473 - Terry's family considers craig's involvement 536 00:22:56,542 --> 00:22:59,610 An impossibility, but for investigators 537 00:22:59,678 --> 00:23:02,246 Who haven't had a single lead in two months, 538 00:23:02,314 --> 00:23:05,115 It's the only possibility they've got. 539 00:23:05,184 --> 00:23:07,184 Knowing that both terry and craig 540 00:23:07,253 --> 00:23:09,286 Love to fight over most anything, 541 00:23:09,355 --> 00:23:11,188 They now have to consider, 542 00:23:11,257 --> 00:23:13,290 Is it possible that when it comes 543 00:23:13,359 --> 00:23:15,893 To something craig cares the most about, 544 00:23:15,961 --> 00:23:17,595 Did he take it too far? 545 00:23:17,597 --> 00:23:20,664 - It's not accepted 546 00:23:20,732 --> 00:23:23,934 In any society to mess with another man's wife. 547 00:23:24,703 --> 00:23:26,870 - Someone discovering an affair 548 00:23:26,939 --> 00:23:29,340 Would absolutely give someone a motive. 549 00:23:29,408 --> 00:23:32,610 And that would absolutely concern law enforcement. 550 00:23:32,678 --> 00:23:34,612 - So it leads you to wonder, okay, 551 00:23:34,680 --> 00:23:36,914 When did craig find this out? 552 00:23:37,983 --> 00:23:40,384 [faith] detectives ask craig and rhonda thrift 553 00:23:40,452 --> 00:23:42,253 To come to the ware county sheriff's office 554 00:23:42,321 --> 00:23:43,954 To answer some questions. 555 00:23:44,023 --> 00:23:46,690 When they arrive, they're interviewed separately. 556 00:23:47,293 --> 00:23:48,392 - According to rhonda, 557 00:23:48,460 --> 00:23:50,760 She had been involved in an affair with terry 558 00:23:50,762 --> 00:23:53,964 For approximately eight months prior to his disappearance. 559 00:23:54,834 --> 00:23:57,200 - She said craig knew that they had been intimate 560 00:23:57,269 --> 00:23:58,302 Before he married her. 561 00:23:58,370 --> 00:24:00,203 They were boyfriend and girlfriend, 562 00:24:00,272 --> 00:24:02,773 But she did not think he knew terry and rhonda 563 00:24:02,841 --> 00:24:04,375 Were having an affair. 564 00:24:04,443 --> 00:24:10,080 And rhonda stated that she did not see terry that morning. 565 00:24:10,750 --> 00:24:13,183 The last time she saw terry was at the party. 566 00:24:13,786 --> 00:24:16,386 - When rhonda was asked to take a polygraph, she said yes. 567 00:24:16,856 --> 00:24:18,588 [faith] with his wife's lie detector test scheduled 568 00:24:18,658 --> 00:24:20,357 For later that evening, 569 00:24:20,426 --> 00:24:22,326 Investigators sit down with craig 570 00:24:22,394 --> 00:24:23,961 And get right to the point. 571 00:24:24,630 --> 00:24:25,696 - He was initially interviewed 572 00:24:25,764 --> 00:24:27,931 By chief deputy arney herrin. 573 00:24:28,000 --> 00:24:31,001 - Craig denied knowing about the affair. 574 00:24:31,070 --> 00:24:33,437 - He basically said that he would punch him in the face 575 00:24:33,505 --> 00:24:35,005 Or he would tune him up a little bit 576 00:24:35,074 --> 00:24:37,774 For what happened between him and rhonda. 577 00:24:37,843 --> 00:24:39,142 And then that he would turn right around 578 00:24:39,211 --> 00:24:40,244 And forgive him and love him 579 00:24:40,312 --> 00:24:43,948 Because he was his first cousin and his best friend. 580 00:24:45,585 --> 00:24:47,551 [faith] next, investigators press craig 581 00:24:47,619 --> 00:24:49,519 About the morning after the party 582 00:24:49,589 --> 00:24:51,288 When terry would typically roll by 583 00:24:51,357 --> 00:24:53,524 In his thunderbird to pick craig up 584 00:24:53,592 --> 00:24:55,625 For their jobs at thrift concrete 585 00:24:55,695 --> 00:24:58,529 Where both men worked for craig's dad, larry. 586 00:24:59,698 --> 00:25:03,533 - Craig's statement was that he never picked him up. 587 00:25:03,535 --> 00:25:05,635 So craig left from his house, 588 00:25:05,637 --> 00:25:07,170 Which was a very short distance 589 00:25:07,239 --> 00:25:11,274 To where the thrift concrete company was located, 590 00:25:11,343 --> 00:25:14,044 Maybe a mile from that location. 591 00:25:14,113 --> 00:25:17,781 And so when craig was there when other people came to work, 592 00:25:17,850 --> 00:25:19,549 They asked him, where's terry? 593 00:25:19,619 --> 00:25:22,285 And, of course, he told them that he never saw terry. 594 00:25:22,354 --> 00:25:24,388 He didn't know what terry did after the party. 595 00:25:24,456 --> 00:25:27,024 [dramatic music]] 596 00:25:27,092 --> 00:25:30,060 - Jealousy is an age-old motive for murder. 597 00:25:30,129 --> 00:25:33,997 The problem is investigators don't have a murder 598 00:25:33,999 --> 00:25:36,567 And craig certainly isn't confessing to one. 599 00:25:36,635 --> 00:25:38,535 But before they let craig go, 600 00:25:38,604 --> 00:25:41,471 Detectives throw one last question at him. 601 00:25:42,274 --> 00:25:45,943 - Craig was asked to take a polygraph test. 602 00:25:46,011 --> 00:25:49,346 And he made a very 603 00:25:49,415 --> 00:25:50,514 Flippant statement. 604 00:25:50,582 --> 00:25:52,849 And that would be, 605 00:25:52,918 --> 00:25:54,184 "do you have a body? 606 00:25:54,253 --> 00:25:56,620 If you don't have a body, I'm not taking a test." 607 00:25:56,688 --> 00:25:59,390 [dramatic music] 608 00:25:59,458 --> 00:26:02,726 This is your first cousin. 609 00:26:02,728 --> 00:26:03,961 He's missing. 610 00:26:04,029 --> 00:26:07,297 You work with him each and every day. 611 00:26:07,366 --> 00:26:08,866 Not only are you coworkers, 612 00:26:08,868 --> 00:26:11,468 But you're best of friends 613 00:26:11,537 --> 00:26:13,904 And now you're not willing to cooperate with law enforcement 614 00:26:13,973 --> 00:26:16,373 When they're trying to exclude you as a suspect 615 00:26:16,442 --> 00:26:18,041 So that they can move on 616 00:26:18,110 --> 00:26:20,177 In trying to determine what happened. 617 00:26:20,746 --> 00:26:23,713 And that's kind of a red flag for law enforcement 618 00:26:23,715 --> 00:26:26,884 That there's something not right with craig. 619 00:26:33,659 --> 00:26:34,992 [eerie music] 620 00:26:35,060 --> 00:26:37,694 - Police in waycross, georgia have just learned 621 00:26:37,763 --> 00:26:39,930 That terry rouse was having an affair 622 00:26:39,999 --> 00:26:43,266 With his old girlfriend, rhonda, who is now married 623 00:26:43,268 --> 00:26:46,737 To terry's best friend and cousin, craig thrift. 624 00:26:46,805 --> 00:26:48,305 Which gets them thinking, 625 00:26:48,373 --> 00:26:51,674 Did craig or rhonda or both have something 626 00:26:51,676 --> 00:26:53,877 To do with terry's disappearance? 627 00:26:55,948 --> 00:26:58,248 - Rhonda was asked to take a polygraph test. 628 00:26:58,317 --> 00:27:00,350 She took it and she passed it. 629 00:27:01,320 --> 00:27:05,322 However, craig was asked to take a polygraph test 630 00:27:05,390 --> 00:27:08,091 And he refused to take that test. 631 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:09,860 [dramatic music] 632 00:27:09,928 --> 00:27:14,798 Craig is not displaying the actions of an innocent person. 633 00:27:15,734 --> 00:27:18,369 He's not cooperating like you would expect 634 00:27:18,437 --> 00:27:20,170 From a cousin and a best friend. 635 00:27:21,306 --> 00:27:24,808 - And then, within a couple weeks after terry went missing, 636 00:27:24,876 --> 00:27:26,577 Craig goes and files for divorce. 637 00:27:27,913 --> 00:27:30,113 - Craig and rhonda, they remained in contact 638 00:27:30,182 --> 00:27:31,081 With one another. 639 00:27:31,150 --> 00:27:32,649 They had to have some kind of relationship 640 00:27:32,717 --> 00:27:33,850 Because of their kids. 641 00:27:33,919 --> 00:27:35,886 But yeah, their marriage did fall apart. 642 00:27:35,954 --> 00:27:38,922 [dramatic music] 643 00:27:38,924 --> 00:27:40,824 - Craig and rhonda's breakup did add 644 00:27:40,893 --> 00:27:42,725 To the gossip and rumors, 645 00:27:42,727 --> 00:27:43,860 But did it have anything to do 646 00:27:43,929 --> 00:27:46,730 With terry's disappearance and maybe death? 647 00:27:47,332 --> 00:27:50,267 Craig's refusal to help find his cousin drew a line 648 00:27:50,335 --> 00:27:53,136 In the sand for both his side of the family, 649 00:27:53,138 --> 00:27:55,138 The thrifts, who believe he had nothing 650 00:27:55,140 --> 00:27:57,407 To do with terry's disappearance, 651 00:27:57,476 --> 00:27:58,942 And for the rouses, 652 00:27:59,011 --> 00:28:00,944 Who expect everyone in the family 653 00:28:01,013 --> 00:28:03,647 To do what they can to find terry. 654 00:28:05,250 --> 00:28:09,019 - When craig actually refused to take a polygraph, 655 00:28:09,087 --> 00:28:12,423 That really started raising everyone's suspicions 656 00:28:12,491 --> 00:28:13,756 A lot more. 657 00:28:13,892 --> 00:28:17,127 He's got motive, he's got means, 658 00:28:17,196 --> 00:28:18,829 He had the ability. 659 00:28:18,897 --> 00:28:22,166 I mean, everything just added up. 660 00:28:24,836 --> 00:28:27,371 Naturally, family's gonna pick sides. 661 00:28:27,439 --> 00:28:28,939 Yeah, we had cousins on our side 662 00:28:29,007 --> 00:28:31,642 And they had cousins on their side. 663 00:28:33,512 --> 00:28:34,444 [faith] now convinced 664 00:28:34,513 --> 00:28:37,047 Of what she once felt was unimaginable, 665 00:28:37,115 --> 00:28:41,451 Sarah, terry's mother confronts her brother, larry thrift, 666 00:28:41,453 --> 00:28:42,986 And demands answers. 667 00:28:44,423 --> 00:28:47,958 - She approached larry about it on more than one occasion, 668 00:28:48,026 --> 00:28:52,028 But larry stood behind craig and defended craig 669 00:28:52,097 --> 00:28:54,264 To the day he died, you know? 670 00:28:54,333 --> 00:28:58,735 So that created a big problem within the two families. 671 00:28:58,804 --> 00:29:00,904 [dramatic music] 672 00:29:00,973 --> 00:29:03,340 - Our family was so close knit 673 00:29:03,408 --> 00:29:05,509 But it all went to [bleep]. 674 00:29:05,711 --> 00:29:06,577 Everybody went their own way. 675 00:29:08,080 --> 00:29:10,080 [faith] not only do they go their own way, 676 00:29:10,148 --> 00:29:12,415 But they keep their mouths shut while doing so. 677 00:29:12,951 --> 00:29:15,385 Investigators who count on people coming forward 678 00:29:15,454 --> 00:29:18,755 In situations like this quickly find their case grinding 679 00:29:18,757 --> 00:29:20,190 To a near halt. 680 00:29:21,827 --> 00:29:23,192 - This investigation, you know, 681 00:29:23,194 --> 00:29:25,763 Did come to basically a slow crawl. 682 00:29:25,831 --> 00:29:28,765 The speculation was always still there, 683 00:29:28,834 --> 00:29:30,801 But in the absence of a body 684 00:29:30,869 --> 00:29:34,337 And the absence of any, you know, true witnesses 685 00:29:34,339 --> 00:29:37,508 Or someone that could corroborate any of 686 00:29:37,576 --> 00:29:38,975 The speculation 687 00:29:39,044 --> 00:29:40,410 Just wasn't there. 688 00:29:40,479 --> 00:29:43,213 [train bell ringing] 689 00:29:43,282 --> 00:29:45,415 [somber music] 690 00:29:45,484 --> 00:29:48,618 - My mom, she done about everything a mother could do 691 00:29:48,620 --> 00:29:51,154 As far as staying on top of the law, 692 00:29:51,223 --> 00:29:55,125 You know, working with them, pushing them. 693 00:29:55,193 --> 00:29:56,960 You know, just doing everything she could 694 00:29:57,029 --> 00:29:58,295 To try to find terry. 695 00:30:00,299 --> 00:30:02,733 She just wanted to be sure for herself 696 00:30:02,801 --> 00:30:05,035 That no stone was ever left unturned. 697 00:30:06,205 --> 00:30:09,139 - I believe that my brother going missing 698 00:30:09,208 --> 00:30:11,875 And everything my mama suffered through, 699 00:30:11,943 --> 00:30:13,744 I believe it drove her crazy. 700 00:30:14,846 --> 00:30:16,179 Her emotions were back and forth. 701 00:30:16,181 --> 00:30:18,582 She could be happy one, one minute, 702 00:30:18,650 --> 00:30:22,352 Crying the next, and then angry the next. 703 00:30:22,555 --> 00:30:24,488 She was a complete different person. 704 00:30:27,058 --> 00:30:29,927 I mean, that forever changed her. 705 00:30:30,963 --> 00:30:33,330 - Yeah, my mom always wished, you know, 706 00:30:33,398 --> 00:30:35,465 That he would just come in the door one day, 707 00:30:35,534 --> 00:30:36,700 You know, hug her and kiss her, 708 00:30:36,768 --> 00:30:37,734 Tell her he's sorry he's been gone, 709 00:30:37,802 --> 00:30:39,503 But he's back now. 710 00:30:41,206 --> 00:30:44,074 It's hard to explain the feeling when a family member dies 711 00:30:44,142 --> 00:30:45,976 Or somebody close to you dies. 712 00:30:46,044 --> 00:30:48,445 You can go, you celebrate their life. 713 00:30:48,513 --> 00:30:49,546 And with terry, 714 00:30:49,615 --> 00:30:52,315 We have never had that. 715 00:30:52,384 --> 00:30:55,586 And without that, I don't think you ever get closure. 716 00:30:55,654 --> 00:30:58,221 [somber music] 717 00:30:59,258 --> 00:31:02,225 - She said, "he's told me many times that he killed terry." 718 00:31:02,294 --> 00:31:04,795 My mouth fell open when she said that. 719 00:31:05,797 --> 00:31:07,965 - She was very scared of him. 720 00:31:07,967 --> 00:31:09,632 - We sifted through close 721 00:31:09,701 --> 00:31:12,002 To 100 dump truck loads of mud. 722 00:31:12,070 --> 00:31:14,404 - I was in shock, you know, finally got him. 723 00:31:23,515 --> 00:31:27,417 Owly, methodically. 724 00:31:27,419 --> 00:31:28,618 Children grow. 725 00:31:28,687 --> 00:31:30,420 Weddings are celebrated. 726 00:31:30,489 --> 00:31:31,955 New babies are born. 727 00:31:32,024 --> 00:31:33,890 Life moves on. 728 00:31:33,959 --> 00:31:36,359 But one terrible thing hasn't changed. 729 00:31:36,361 --> 00:31:38,495 Terry rouse is still missing. 730 00:31:38,563 --> 00:31:41,031 The police investigation has dried up 731 00:31:41,099 --> 00:31:44,034 And the once-close thrift and rouse families 732 00:31:44,102 --> 00:31:46,503 Are now bitterly divided. 733 00:31:46,571 --> 00:31:50,173 Possibly to get away from sarah thrift's dogged accusations, 734 00:31:50,175 --> 00:31:52,575 Craig thrift, along with his father larry, 735 00:31:52,644 --> 00:31:56,947 Leave waycross and move to another county 60 miles away. 736 00:31:57,015 --> 00:31:59,049 Craig eventually remarries. 737 00:31:59,117 --> 00:32:02,519 Two years stretch into three, soon five, 738 00:32:02,587 --> 00:32:05,555 And then a decade passes with no sign of terry 739 00:32:05,624 --> 00:32:08,926 And no hint as to what may have happened to him. 740 00:32:10,228 --> 00:32:15,265 - In April of 2003, my mom declared terry deceased. 741 00:32:16,268 --> 00:32:18,568 Maybe it was so she could have closure, 742 00:32:18,637 --> 00:32:21,438 Some type of closure, see if it would help her in any way. 743 00:32:21,506 --> 00:32:22,639 I do not know. 744 00:32:24,809 --> 00:32:25,976 [dramatic music] 745 00:32:26,044 --> 00:32:28,345 [faith] in 2009, six years after terry 746 00:32:28,413 --> 00:32:33,116 Is legally declared dead and 18 years after he went missing, 747 00:32:33,185 --> 00:32:35,718 The georgia bureau of investigation 748 00:32:35,787 --> 00:32:37,286 Assigns a young detective 749 00:32:37,288 --> 00:32:39,689 To take a fresh new look at his case. 750 00:32:40,659 --> 00:32:44,160 - When you start working an investigation on a person, 751 00:32:44,229 --> 00:32:46,897 You actually feel like you start to know who they are. 752 00:32:47,299 --> 00:32:50,367 So they start becoming a part of your family almost. 753 00:32:50,435 --> 00:32:53,236 And then their family, you feel their emotion, 754 00:32:53,305 --> 00:32:56,606 You feel their hurt and their want for answers. 755 00:32:57,642 --> 00:32:59,175 I started doing little side scribbles. 756 00:32:59,244 --> 00:33:01,311 Well, you know, well, why did they say this? 757 00:33:01,380 --> 00:33:03,580 Or where's this person now? 758 00:33:04,949 --> 00:33:08,418 But there was absolutely nothing physical 759 00:33:08,487 --> 00:33:11,321 That I could put my hands on as evidence. 760 00:33:12,023 --> 00:33:14,224 [faith] detective williams spends three years 761 00:33:14,292 --> 00:33:16,993 Poring over each detail in the case file, 762 00:33:17,062 --> 00:33:19,596 Every statement, every interview, 763 00:33:19,664 --> 00:33:21,264 Every speculation, 764 00:33:21,332 --> 00:33:24,634 But nothing stands out except for one fact. 765 00:33:25,570 --> 00:33:27,737 - So once I eliminate everything else 766 00:33:27,806 --> 00:33:29,506 That I saw in the case file, 767 00:33:29,574 --> 00:33:30,440 It just kinda pointed back to craig. 768 00:33:30,509 --> 00:33:33,443 So that's when I started researching where he was. 769 00:33:34,146 --> 00:33:36,479 I found out that craig was living in camden county 770 00:33:36,548 --> 00:33:39,182 And he was going through a separation 771 00:33:39,251 --> 00:33:42,319 From his current wife at that time, robyn thrift. 772 00:33:43,922 --> 00:33:48,491 I saw that she had filed for a tpo order against craig. 773 00:33:48,493 --> 00:33:50,860 It was a restraining order. 774 00:33:51,130 --> 00:33:52,795 And in the report, it was just talking 775 00:33:52,865 --> 00:33:54,764 About her being afraid of him. 776 00:33:54,833 --> 00:33:56,833 And in my experience, 777 00:33:56,901 --> 00:34:00,137 A mad woman will tell on you. 778 00:34:01,039 --> 00:34:02,238 If there's anything to tell, 779 00:34:02,307 --> 00:34:03,774 A mad woman's gonna tell it. 780 00:34:04,909 --> 00:34:06,309 So I picked up the phone 781 00:34:06,311 --> 00:34:08,378 And I called her and identified myself 782 00:34:08,446 --> 00:34:09,846 And told her I was from ware county 783 00:34:09,914 --> 00:34:14,184 And wanted to talk to her about craig thrift and his cousin. 784 00:34:14,252 --> 00:34:17,487 And she said, "well, what do you wanna know? 785 00:34:17,556 --> 00:34:18,855 You wanna know if he's ever told me 786 00:34:18,923 --> 00:34:20,523 That he's killed his cousin, terry?" 787 00:34:20,525 --> 00:34:22,725 I said, "well, yes ma'am, I do." 788 00:34:22,727 --> 00:34:23,860 And she said, "yes. 789 00:34:23,928 --> 00:34:26,729 He's told me many times that he killed his cousin terry." 790 00:34:26,798 --> 00:34:29,432 [dramatic music] 791 00:34:29,501 --> 00:34:31,535 My mouth fell open when she said that. 792 00:34:33,505 --> 00:34:36,839 [faith] wasting no time, detective williams asked robyn 793 00:34:36,841 --> 00:34:40,277 To come immediately to the gbi office in camden county. 794 00:34:40,345 --> 00:34:43,546 [suspenseful music] 795 00:34:43,548 --> 00:34:47,417 - Robyn told us that craig would make statements to her 796 00:34:47,485 --> 00:34:50,720 When they would have an argument that, 797 00:34:50,789 --> 00:34:53,256 "I'll do away with you like I did my cousin." 798 00:34:55,059 --> 00:34:56,926 She was very scared of him. 799 00:34:57,796 --> 00:35:01,297 - What really struck me was he would be drunk, 800 00:35:01,366 --> 00:35:04,434 That he would cry, and say, "I killed my best friend. 801 00:35:04,502 --> 00:35:06,102 I can't believe I did that." 802 00:35:06,171 --> 00:35:08,171 He told robyn that he killed terry 803 00:35:08,240 --> 00:35:10,774 Because he was sleeping with his wife 804 00:35:10,842 --> 00:35:13,943 And he put him where nobody would ever find him. 805 00:35:13,945 --> 00:35:16,545 [eerie music] 806 00:35:16,547 --> 00:35:19,282 - The information from craig's ex is extraordinary, 807 00:35:19,351 --> 00:35:20,850 Incriminating even. 808 00:35:20,919 --> 00:35:22,719 But will it hold up in court? 809 00:35:22,787 --> 00:35:24,187 As a former prosecutor, 810 00:35:24,256 --> 00:35:26,189 I can tell you definitively, 811 00:35:26,258 --> 00:35:27,857 Absolutely not. 812 00:35:27,926 --> 00:35:30,860 That's because of something called marital privilege. 813 00:35:30,929 --> 00:35:31,928 It's a law 814 00:35:31,996 --> 00:35:34,597 That protects private communications between spouses 815 00:35:34,599 --> 00:35:37,600 So they don't have to testify against each other in court. 816 00:35:37,669 --> 00:35:40,336 But what detectives do finally have 817 00:35:40,405 --> 00:35:41,570 Is a story, 818 00:35:41,572 --> 00:35:43,706 A story of terry's disappearance 819 00:35:43,708 --> 00:35:46,676 That they can now ask former witnesses about. 820 00:35:46,745 --> 00:35:50,813 A story that just might shake loose some old memories. 821 00:35:50,882 --> 00:35:54,016 [dramatic music] 822 00:35:54,018 --> 00:35:54,951 - On the night of the party, 823 00:35:55,019 --> 00:35:58,088 Craig and rhonda had a babysitter, 824 00:35:58,156 --> 00:36:00,790 Christy callahan. 825 00:36:00,859 --> 00:36:04,360 - The babysitter basically had stayed on the couch, 826 00:36:04,429 --> 00:36:05,428 Spent the night there. 827 00:36:05,497 --> 00:36:07,464 She had watched the kids while they were at the party. 828 00:36:07,532 --> 00:36:10,901 - So on the morning of may 11th, 1991, 829 00:36:10,969 --> 00:36:13,336 She was actually at the house. 830 00:36:13,404 --> 00:36:16,406 So we go back and interviewed the babysitter. 831 00:36:16,408 --> 00:36:17,507 During her interview, 832 00:36:17,575 --> 00:36:21,377 She mentioned a fight that she had actually overheard 833 00:36:21,446 --> 00:36:26,315 And saw between craig and rhonda in the house that morning 834 00:36:26,385 --> 00:36:28,284 Before he walked outta the house 835 00:36:28,286 --> 00:36:30,487 To get in the car with terry. 836 00:36:31,523 --> 00:36:34,724 - She remembered seeing terry at the door. 837 00:36:34,793 --> 00:36:36,526 She didn't really pay a whole lotta attention 838 00:36:36,595 --> 00:36:39,829 Because she didn't think there was anything outta the way. 839 00:36:39,898 --> 00:36:42,465 That was normal for terry to come over 840 00:36:42,534 --> 00:36:44,601 To pick up craig to go to work. 841 00:36:45,636 --> 00:36:48,605 - So we have robyn telling us that craig has admitted 842 00:36:48,673 --> 00:36:51,474 To her that he killed terry rouse. 843 00:36:51,476 --> 00:36:53,609 And now we have the babysitter coming forward, 844 00:36:53,678 --> 00:36:56,245 Telling us that she overheard 845 00:36:56,315 --> 00:36:58,748 And saw craig and rhonda's fight 846 00:36:58,750 --> 00:37:02,252 And that she's putting craig and terry together 847 00:37:02,320 --> 00:37:04,387 That morning, leaving to go to work. 848 00:37:05,524 --> 00:37:07,890 [faith] that isn't all detective williams finds. 849 00:37:07,959 --> 00:37:10,193 She finds another kristy, 850 00:37:10,261 --> 00:37:13,363 Someone craig dated after his divorce from rhonda, 851 00:37:13,431 --> 00:37:16,766 And brings her in for an interview. 852 00:37:16,835 --> 00:37:18,567 - Back in 1993, 853 00:37:18,569 --> 00:37:22,138 Kristy dyson had a brief relationship with craig. 854 00:37:22,207 --> 00:37:24,307 And in her interview with me, 855 00:37:24,376 --> 00:37:27,377 She said craig told her that he killed terry 856 00:37:27,445 --> 00:37:29,546 And cut him up with his tools 857 00:37:29,614 --> 00:37:31,414 There at craig's dad's workshop. 858 00:37:32,350 --> 00:37:34,016 She was scared of craig. 859 00:37:34,085 --> 00:37:35,618 He would threaten her by saying 860 00:37:35,687 --> 00:37:38,855 That he would kill her and do things to her, 861 00:37:38,923 --> 00:37:41,424 And he was abusive. 862 00:37:42,394 --> 00:37:44,027 - With all of the information we were able 863 00:37:44,095 --> 00:37:46,996 To amass on craig, 864 00:37:47,065 --> 00:37:49,399 We know that craig's our guy. 865 00:37:49,734 --> 00:37:52,769 There's nobody else involved in this but craig. 866 00:37:59,544 --> 00:38:02,478 - More than 20 years after terry rouse was last seen, 867 00:38:02,547 --> 00:38:06,182 The cold case team of the georgia bureau of investigation 868 00:38:06,250 --> 00:38:08,818 Feels they finally solved his case. 869 00:38:08,887 --> 00:38:10,020 Their evidence? 870 00:38:10,088 --> 00:38:12,022 It comes from craig's own mouth 871 00:38:12,090 --> 00:38:15,291 And his claims over the years about killing his cousin. 872 00:38:15,359 --> 00:38:18,028 [dramatic music] 873 00:38:18,096 --> 00:38:22,198 - It was overwhelming the amount of witnesses that we had. 874 00:38:22,267 --> 00:38:25,134 And it wasn't just the amount of witnesses, 875 00:38:25,136 --> 00:38:26,803 It was what they were saying. 876 00:38:26,871 --> 00:38:29,306 Everything was so consistent. 877 00:38:29,374 --> 00:38:31,340 - Craig had made so many statements 878 00:38:31,410 --> 00:38:33,176 To so many unrelated people. 879 00:38:33,244 --> 00:38:34,243 I don't know why the people 880 00:38:34,312 --> 00:38:37,247 That he had made those statements to all those years 881 00:38:37,315 --> 00:38:40,050 Didn't come forward on their own, 882 00:38:40,118 --> 00:38:42,652 Other than it could have been that they were scared of him. 883 00:38:42,721 --> 00:38:45,321 Could have been that they just thought that him saying that 884 00:38:45,390 --> 00:38:47,790 To them was not gonna make a difference. 885 00:38:48,560 --> 00:38:51,193 - After I had all these witness statements, 886 00:38:51,195 --> 00:38:54,164 I took that to a judge and requested a search warrant. 887 00:38:54,232 --> 00:38:56,098 [siren wails] 888 00:38:56,167 --> 00:38:58,468 [faith] on March 27th, 2012, 889 00:38:58,536 --> 00:39:00,770 Investigators from both ware county, 890 00:39:00,839 --> 00:39:02,438 Where the disappearance happened, 891 00:39:02,507 --> 00:39:05,775 And camden county, where craig thrift now lives, 892 00:39:05,844 --> 00:39:08,210 Serve him with a warrant to search his residence. 893 00:39:08,813 --> 00:39:12,382 And just as soon as they enter his home, they find drugs. 894 00:39:13,718 --> 00:39:17,420 - Camden county was able to arrest craig on drug charges. 895 00:39:17,489 --> 00:39:18,955 So he was removed from the property 896 00:39:19,023 --> 00:39:21,157 And that's when we began our search. 897 00:39:21,493 --> 00:39:23,459 You think about 20 years, 898 00:39:23,528 --> 00:39:25,428 What would we expect to find? 899 00:39:26,030 --> 00:39:27,363 Probably not a lot. 900 00:39:27,432 --> 00:39:29,565 - And that's exactly what happens. 901 00:39:29,634 --> 00:39:33,169 Investigators don't find either of terry's guns, his knife, 902 00:39:33,237 --> 00:39:35,638 Or anything that definitively ties craig 903 00:39:35,707 --> 00:39:37,440 To terry's disappearance. 904 00:39:37,509 --> 00:39:39,842 But with craig in jail on the drug charges, 905 00:39:39,911 --> 00:39:42,979 Detective williams and her team make one last push 906 00:39:43,047 --> 00:39:45,848 To search for terry at the concrete company 907 00:39:45,917 --> 00:39:46,916 Where they worked, 908 00:39:46,985 --> 00:39:49,419 Including the work shed where craig is alleged 909 00:39:49,487 --> 00:39:50,987 To have killed terry. 910 00:39:52,056 --> 00:39:54,256 - The sheriff's office and the gbi together 911 00:39:54,258 --> 00:39:57,459 Basically excavated and essentially sifted through, 912 00:39:57,461 --> 00:40:01,097 I believe, somewhere close to 100 dump truck loads of mud. 913 00:40:01,500 --> 00:40:02,832 - We got with the fbi. 914 00:40:02,901 --> 00:40:06,202 They brought in some cadaver dogs as well, 915 00:40:06,270 --> 00:40:09,572 And we searched a large area there. 916 00:40:09,574 --> 00:40:13,209 We just weren't able to locate anything. 917 00:40:13,744 --> 00:40:15,845 [faith] though their search is unsuccessful, 918 00:40:15,914 --> 00:40:17,847 The new witness statements are enough 919 00:40:17,916 --> 00:40:22,084 To get craig thrift indicted in April of 2012. 920 00:40:22,086 --> 00:40:24,421 [dramatic music] 921 00:40:24,489 --> 00:40:27,157 - My theory is terry went to pick up craig 922 00:40:27,225 --> 00:40:29,425 That morning for work. 923 00:40:29,494 --> 00:40:32,428 At some point, they arrive at the shed 924 00:40:32,497 --> 00:40:35,064 And there was a confrontation. 925 00:40:35,132 --> 00:40:38,868 [dramatic music] 926 00:40:38,937 --> 00:40:42,538 I don't know if he snuck up behind terry and hit him, 927 00:40:42,607 --> 00:40:44,774 Killed him, shot him. 928 00:40:44,843 --> 00:40:48,178 [dramatic music] 929 00:40:49,581 --> 00:40:52,182 Disposed or hid his body 'til he could come back 930 00:40:52,250 --> 00:40:54,717 At a later time to put him somewhere 931 00:40:54,719 --> 00:40:56,553 Where nobody would find him. 932 00:40:58,322 --> 00:40:59,389 And I think he took the car down 933 00:40:59,457 --> 00:41:01,758 To the okefenokee swamp park. 934 00:41:02,227 --> 00:41:05,195 - Where terry and craig worked at, 935 00:41:05,263 --> 00:41:10,333 The thrift concrete location was approximately two miles, 936 00:41:10,401 --> 00:41:14,870 Maybe three, from the entrance of the okefenokee swamp park. 937 00:41:14,872 --> 00:41:19,008 So, maybe craig ran back along the railroad tracks, 938 00:41:19,077 --> 00:41:20,577 Back to the work site, 939 00:41:20,579 --> 00:41:21,911 And would've been there before any 940 00:41:21,980 --> 00:41:24,413 Of the other workers showed up. 941 00:41:24,482 --> 00:41:28,351 [somber music] 942 00:41:28,419 --> 00:41:29,385 - I was at work one day 943 00:41:29,454 --> 00:41:32,621 And I received a call from the sheriff's office. 944 00:41:32,691 --> 00:41:36,226 And they was telling me that they had craig arrested 945 00:41:36,294 --> 00:41:38,528 For the murder of terry. 946 00:41:38,596 --> 00:41:41,464 I was kinda like in shock, you know? 947 00:41:41,532 --> 00:41:42,599 Finally got him. 948 00:41:43,101 --> 00:41:44,700 [faith] after the decades of trauma caused 949 00:41:44,769 --> 00:41:46,836 By the absence of her son, 950 00:41:46,905 --> 00:41:51,373 Sarah thrift, at just 64, is a shadow of her former self 951 00:41:51,375 --> 00:41:54,610 When detective williams visits her in a retirement home 952 00:41:54,612 --> 00:41:56,946 To break the news. 953 00:41:57,015 --> 00:42:01,551 - She had a picture of terry beside her bed. 954 00:42:01,619 --> 00:42:03,286 Not her other kids, terry. 955 00:42:04,789 --> 00:42:08,524 We told her that we had arrested craig 956 00:42:08,593 --> 00:42:11,527 For terry's murder. 957 00:42:11,596 --> 00:42:13,162 She was emotional. 958 00:42:13,231 --> 00:42:15,898 [somber music] 959 00:42:15,967 --> 00:42:18,535 She was still wanting answers. 960 00:42:18,603 --> 00:42:20,203 Where was terry? 961 00:42:22,941 --> 00:42:23,640 [dramatic music] 962 00:42:23,708 --> 00:42:26,308 [faith] two years later in 2014, 963 00:42:26,378 --> 00:42:27,877 Craig thrift is put on trial 964 00:42:27,946 --> 00:42:30,680 And is convicted of felony murder. 965 00:42:31,015 --> 00:42:33,383 The court sentences craig to life in prison 966 00:42:33,451 --> 00:42:37,287 With the possibility of parole after seven years. 967 00:42:37,355 --> 00:42:40,022 Today, craig remains incarcerated 968 00:42:40,024 --> 00:42:43,559 In hays state prison in chattooga county, georgia. 969 00:42:43,628 --> 00:42:47,629 [dramatic music] 970 00:42:47,631 --> 00:42:49,631 - My mama, she spent 971 00:42:49,633 --> 00:42:52,101 All of her days doing everything she could, 972 00:42:52,170 --> 00:42:55,638 Following every lead, just looking for terry. 973 00:42:55,707 --> 00:42:57,206 His body's never been recovered. 974 00:42:57,275 --> 00:42:58,207 He's been murdered. 975 00:42:58,276 --> 00:43:00,109 His cousin killed him. 976 00:43:00,178 --> 00:43:03,746 And then when we finally got a conviction, 977 00:43:03,814 --> 00:43:06,015 My mother's health was so bad, 978 00:43:06,084 --> 00:43:08,618 I don't even think she understood when I told her 979 00:43:08,686 --> 00:43:11,787 That craig was convicted for the murder of terry. 980 00:43:11,856 --> 00:43:13,589 But I hope somewhere down inside 981 00:43:13,657 --> 00:43:15,325 That she heard me and understood. 982 00:43:15,393 --> 00:43:17,259 [somber music] 983 00:43:17,328 --> 00:43:20,196 - No one truly knows what craig did to terry rouse 984 00:43:20,264 --> 00:43:21,864 To make him disappear. 985 00:43:21,866 --> 00:43:24,534 But there is no doubt craig's vengeful actions 986 00:43:24,602 --> 00:43:26,802 Towards his once best friend and cousin 987 00:43:26,871 --> 00:43:30,072 Severed a century-long family bond 988 00:43:30,141 --> 00:43:33,409 And deprived a loving mother of her son. 989 00:43:33,477 --> 00:43:36,612 Envy, lust, pride, and wrath, 990 00:43:36,680 --> 00:43:39,281 Four deadly sins as old as the swamp, 991 00:43:39,350 --> 00:43:42,352 Turned craig thrift and terry rouse's family bond 992 00:43:42,420 --> 00:43:43,886 And friendship 993 00:43:43,888 --> 00:43:46,623 Into a killer relationship.