"I said we have to go by the evidence.". Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Craig Heidt in May 2009. 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. ", 'He wanted the big house. Sager said a rifle and a handgun were recovered at the scene. 'But he did not tell me who it was with.'. "Sometimes they can be immediate," he said. The court ruled that both Robin Heidt Cave and Linda Heidt share joint custody of the children. "Did he have an alibi for that night?" As Linda Heidt slowly recovered, they all wondered the same thing: Could the only surviving witness of the crime identify the killer? 'I know the man he is. Some said the murders were Mafia related, some said it was a real estate deal gone bad, and others said the murderers were meth dealers that lived not far from the Heidts. Missed: Speaking to CBS, Robin Heidt described her husband as a 'wonderful husband and wonderful father'. Craig is currently serving two consecutive life sentences along with an additional 85 years on all 11 counts at the Georgia State Prison in Reidsville. ", "Can you be absolutely certain that it was not Craig? "So in an ideal world, if you were shooting, the bruising would be here?" "He was the best partner you could ask for." "The gas fumes out by the road were just horrific," McDuffie recalled. However, by that time, Craig had already insisted that one of his shotguns, boots, and gas cans were missing and even denied his affair with Robin, which she confirmed. Crocker was sentenced to life without parole, narrowly escaping the death penalty. According to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, a majority of Effingham county court records are open and accessible to the general public. Based on those injuries and the pellets found at the scene, the medical examiner says the shooter used a 12-gauge shotgun; up close and personal. May 1, 2020. In the end, even without the murder weapon available as evidence, a jury found Craig guilty of 11 counts in connection to the matter. "Craig doesn't just instantly occur to you?" "That must've been something of a shock," said Spencer. "It's amazing that she did survive because, basically, it looks like she was left for dead," said Downs. Unlike his father and younger brother, he hadnt settled down and was an avid hunter instead of working as a realtor and developer. "How do you interpret that? "I know I didn't do anything. It's just his character.". But the jurors apparently were getting that same negative vibe about everything Robin said. Active in the Chamber of Commerce, Philip Heidt was described as a very private man who loved his family dearly. "Where along the spectrum do you think her actions fall?" Spencer asked. So Howard asked Craig to take off his shirt. "I have to go by the evidence," he replied. Crime Map for Effingham County, GA. Crime Map. Candace Crocker, the stepmother, confessed to the murders of Mary Crocker and her brother, Elwyn "JR" Crocker Jr, who were found dead in shallow graves near a dog pen in Effingham County in December 2018, according to The Savannah Morning News. The Heidt family was widely respected in Effingham and the murders shocked not just the community but the entire nation. "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 told Spencer. Sharon reported on Aug. 16, Jerry threatened to burn her truck. Prince Harry 'hated woke nonsense' and 'made jokes we are no longer allowed to make' before meeting Meghan, 'We met a Princess'! "I just, I was just in shock". "you know there is this chance that he could have done this.". The judge gave Linda immediate temporary custody. Bonds also contended that more than one shooter was involved. 'He knew that his wife was runnin' around on him,' Sheriff Jimmie McDuffie told 48 Hours. "Robbery wasn't the motive. Philip Heidt, 59, and his son, Carey Heidt, 32, were shot to death in their beds. "This is the Remington 870," Myrick explained. 'When I looked at him, I just felt disgust,' she said. Linda was the mothershe's comin' outta the bathroom to see what's going on because she doesn't have a clue the left side of her face was extensively damaged and then the shot continued through her right shoulder. Craig Heidt: I am not having sex with Robin. A garbled phone call to Effingham County 911 about 3 a.m. a decade ago began the unwinding of what the world would eventually learn was a twisted tale of murder and lust. By Daily Mail Reporter Updated: 00:17 GMT, 9 January 2012. July 14, 2012 / 10:55 PM Over the next few days when talking with police at the crime scene, Craig made several more startling statements. I did not know who it was. "Exactly," Myrick said. The sentences are consecutive. Please enter valid email address to continue. . ", "I wrote down in my journal that I knew what hell smelled likeGasoline and gunpowder," Linda told Spencer. You don't really need to aim. The upcoming episode of Oxygen's Dateline: Secrets Uncovered focuses on unveiling the mystery behind the shocking 2008 Effingham County murders. In the early hours of August 25, 2008, leading real estate developer Philip Heidt and his son, Carey Heidt, were shot to death in their beds. Linda Heidt survived her injuries and managed that morning to call 911 for help. "Well, I'm not rejoicing," Robin said. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. You'd have to ask them.". A travel expert has clarified the Do not sell or share my personal information. However, by 2008, Carey focused more on his business than his personal life, leading to Robin finding solace in his elder brother, Craig. What do you think was going on?" 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. Philip had tracked them down, enlisting a friend with a helicopter to take photos to get hard evidence of Robin's infidelity. They next turned their attention to the Heidt's real estate dealings. But telling her husband about the affair didn't stop Robin from pursuing it. "He says flat out, no affair," Spencer commented to Agent Eugene Howard. But the answer investigators most wanted was from the grievously wounded Linda Heidt. A motion to move the trial due to publicity was denied by the judge in the case, F. Gates Peed. Juror #2: Once I seen the bruises that was, like, yeah, he's guilty. High 67F. "I wasn't really sure. Actually, he was the only one that did not have an alibi," Muldrew said. But after just six hours that changed. Box 586 Effingham, IL 62401 Phone: (217) 342-4065 Fax: (217) 342-6183 Are Effingham County Court Records Public? "There was two bruises on his right biceps and one on his left. I did not see Craig in that room. It was definitely not smart," Robin said. " Gary B. Schmitt, an Effingham man who murdered his father in 2010 and attempted to murder two others in 2011, has been charged with aggravated battery as a result of . You have permission to edit this article. Two years after the crime, Craig was convicted of the murders. "I felt like it was fair.". The Mystery of Effingham County Publicly they were a prominent family highly respected for their success. And we commonly call that in law enforcement just the wrong answer.". "As many fights as they'd had and as much bad blood as there was at this point? Advertisements 492 talking about this. 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. 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. And she had been shaking as if she was afraid.". "His father and grandfather used to . "I did 'cause the Craig Heidt that I know couldn't commit such an act," she replied. As the whole county soon would learn, it was hardly the perfect family. "But he did not tell me who it was with.". Robin has now turned against her former lover - even testifying against him in court. After some soul-searching, Robin says she realized the man she once loved just might be a murderer. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Despite her husband and children, who were 10, seven and three at the time, she continued the relationship. Craig Heidt was convicted two years and four months after the crime by a jury of four men and eight women. Tension escalated when the family found out about the affair and Philip reportedly confronted his daughter-in-law. Many in the public didn't understand the time required for a complex investigation. Sheriff Jimmie McDuffie said he was asked, "'Why aren't y'all puttin' him in jail?' So the GBI just kept watching Craig Heidt and Robin. While a full investigation was conducted, no killer was ever found. I went to the jail and saw him.". Linda Heidt's injuries were such that it took six minutes for 911 operators to understand where help was needed. "Craig had entered the room-- put his hand on his mother's and said, 'Momthis is Craig.'" Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Kaiser is being held in the Effingham County Jail. Craig allegedly planned to secure his future with Robin and had an eye on his share of his father's estate as well as the $3.5 million insurance policy on his brother Carey's life. Spencer asked Ed Myrick, the sheriff's firearms instructor. asked Spencer. EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced that a portion of I-70 will begin reconstruction on March 6. On day eight of the trial, the case went to the jury. On August 25, 2008, Philip and Carey were shot and killed in their beds. Yet, things changed in April 2008, when Craig began an affair with the mother of Careys three children, Robin Heidt. And then, four months after the murders, Craig Heidt moved in with his brother's widow and their three kids. John L.. A shotgun, boots and a gas can -- all missing, all possibly related to the crime and all tied to Craig Heidt. Robin and Craig got a rude awakening the next morning. I've got to see if I can see Craig tonight. 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