Topic
8 facts from 2 episodes, in date order. These are what speakers said on the shows, each linked to the moment it was said. They aren't independently verified.
2012
Gary Rothwell retired from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in 2012 after nearly 31 years, seven of them spent on the Tara Grinstead case.
“Agent Rothwell was nearing thirty-one years with the GBI, seven of those devoted to Tara's case. In 2012, he retired.”
Undated
Gary Rothwell said the Tara Grinstead investigation was the largest case in the history of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
“Yes, this is the largest GBI case, and, uh, it remains so to this day.”
Undated
Gary Rothwell said investigators processed probably over 200 DNA samples from men while trying to match the glove DNA.
“So we processed probably over 200 samples of men.”
Undated
Gary Rothwell said an overlooked tip meant the Tara Grinstead case could have been solved at least nine years earlier.
“It's maddening because I consider myself a competent investigator and we could have solved this case at least nine years before it was solved”
Undated
Gary Rothwell said a tip described a bonfire party where a couple of guys made statements claiming they had killed Tara and burned her in a pit.
“a bonfire party outdoors with a bunch of people, local kids. And that a couple of guys had had, uh, made statements.”
Undated
Local investigators interviewed the source of the bonfire tip and used a helicopter to check the scene but could not corroborate it.
“went out to the scene and used a helicopter and tried to verify it and and couldn't corroborate it.”
Undated
Gary Rothwell said the GBI did not follow up on the bonfire lead because it was understood to have been addressed by local law enforcement, and called that a mistake.
“we did not follow up ourselves, and that was a mistake.”
Undated
Andrea Canning said Gary Rothwell believes Ryan Duke killed Tara and does not believe Bo Duke did.
“Gary believes it's Ryan, he does not believe it's Bo.”
Episodes