What do you think happened to Tara?

[Right To Live]

I think someone came to Tara's house sometime after she arrived home from the BBQ. I would say it was someone she knew. She either went willingly or was dragged out of her house under distress. I think she met with death away from her home on the night of 10/22/05.

[Hey Paula]

I believe Tara was killed by someone she knew well, and that person took her from her home, either after she opened the door to them, or after they used a key to gain access themselves. I believe this occurred sometimes after Tara returned home from the BBQ during the late evening hours of Saturday 10//22/05, which was the last known time she was seen, or the wee hours of Sunday morning.

[Right To Live]

I believe Tara was killed by someone she knew well, and that person took her from her home, either after she opened the door to them, or after they used a key to gain access themselves. I believe this occurred sometimes after Tara returned home from the BBQ during the late evening hours of Saturday 10//22/05, which was the last known time she was seen, or the wee hours of Sunday morning.


Yes I agree on what you said. I have never believed a stanger did any harm to Tara. I would think if it was a stranger he would not have hidden her body so well.

[Hey Paula]

Yes I agree on what you said. I have never believed a stanger did any harm to Tara. I would think if it was a stranger he would not have hidden her body so well.

ITA. Strangers don't hide bodies because they are not personally tied to their victims, and so they don't fear a nexus being discovered between them and their victims. Serial killers often like to have their victims remains found and leave them in a place where they can easily be discovered/found. They often enjoy playing cat and mouse games with LE by taunting them.

[Right To Live]

ITA. Strangers don't hide bodies because they are not personally tied to their victims, and so they don't fear a nexus being discovered between them and their victims. Serial killers often like to have their victims remains found and leave them in a place where they can easily be discovered/found. They often enjoy playing cat and mouse games with LE by taunting them.


ITA on that. I am afraid the person that harmed Tara was someone she knew very well. Someone wanted to silence this poor lovely woman and they did do a good job as it has been more than 2 years and she hasn't been found. The question remains.....why?

[Hey Paula]

ITA on that. I am afraid the person that harmed Tara was someone she knew very well. Someone wanted to silence this poor lovely woman and they did do a good job as it has been more than 2 years and she hasn't been found. The question remains.....why?

Maybe Tara's killer viewed her as an inconvenience, so he permanently removed her from his life. Tara might have also known things her killer didn't want her to know, and perhaps Tara was about to expose what she knew.

[Right To Live]

Maybe Tara's killer viewed her as an inconvenience, so he permanently removed her from his life. Tara might have also known things her killer didn't want her to know, and perhaps Tara was about to expose what she knew.

I was thinking the exact same thing that maybe Tara knew something about someone that they didn't want repeated as it would have ruined their lives forever. I am thinking it was someone in Ocilla that caused harm to Tara as Ocilla is where she lived her every day life.

[Results]

I don't think it is anyone from Ocilla, GA. Only one person can be put at her home that weekend and he is married. JMHO

[Right To Live]

I don't think it is anyone from Ocilla, GA. Only one person can be put at her home that weekend and he is married. JMHO

Thank you for your reply Results. I see we think the opposite as far as the perp being from Ocilla or not but we can certainly agree on one thing and that is Tara is missing and someone is certainly responsible for this. I hope she is found soon and I really hope that some new information will come out. If only LE or someone would give an update on this case!

[Results]

Thank you for your reply Results. I see we think the opposite as far as the perp being from Ocilla or not but we can certainly agree on one thing and that is Tara is missing and someone is certainly responsible for this. I hope she is found soon and I really hope that some new information will come out. If only LE or someone would give an update on this case!

It appears we are on the opposite side of the fence but I do agree that someone is responsible for her disappearance. It would help if LE would make a statement but I truly don't see that happening.

[Right To Live]

It appears we are on the opposite side of the fence but I do agree that someone is responsible for her disappearance. It would help if LE would make a statement but I truly don't see that happening.

I am afraid I don't see that happening either as it has been more than 2 years and we really only have a handful of facts they have given us.

[emmeblu]

I really do not understand why LE does not give the public an update on Tara's case. Maybe they have a POI and are just sitting back and watching this person. Hopefully, there will be a break in the case soon. Just so sad that a beautiful young woman goes missing and no one saw or heard a thing!

:1222423:Tara

[Right To Live]

I really do not understand why LE does not give the public an update on Tara's case. Maybe they have a POI and are just sitting back and watching this person. Hopefully, there will be a break in the case soon. Just so sad that a beautiful young woman goes missing and no one saw or heard a thing!

:1222423:Tara

I certainly agree with you. If LE would at least ask the public to come forward with any info they need after over 2 years then perhaps someone will. LE doesn't have to give the public any info they know but at least let the public help. People doesn't have ESP to even begin to know what might help LE. I wonder if they do have a POI and are watching that person but it has been almost 2 1/2 years Tara has been missing come April so how long would they watch someone? If LE does have a POI surely they don't think that person is all of a sudden going to decide to go check on the body after all of this time do they?

There is nothing wrong with LE giving a press conference and telling the public where they stand in this case and request help. This seems to be the only case a press conference has never been done which I can not understand why. There may be something small that someone saw or knows that they hadn't dreamed would help this case.

[emmeblu]

I certainly agree with you. If LE would at least ask the public to come forward with any info they need after over 2 years then perhaps someone will. LE doesn't have to give the public any info they know but at least let the public help. People doesn't have ESP to even begin to know what might help LE. I wonder if they do have a POI and are watching that person but it has been almost 2 1/2 years Tara has been missing come April so how long would they watch someone? If LE does have a POI surely they don't think that person is all of a sudden going to decide to go check on the body after all of this time do they?

There is nothing wrong with LE giving a press conference and telling the public where they stand in this case and request help. This seems to be the only case a press conference has never been done which I can not understand why. There may be something small that someone saw or knows that they hadn't dreamed would help this case.

If more than one person is involved (like help get rid of the body), then a good chance someone will talk to someone at some point. If only one person is involved, they most likely will never talk. Evidence would be needed to connect the killer to Tara. I have no idea how much evidence LE gathered in Tara's case.

I know the citizens of Ocilla have an opinion. That is a small town and secrets are hard to keep in a small town. Someone knows something that could help LE with this case. People just seem to know what is going on.
So, I think LE needs to appeal to the public to share any information they have about Tara and things they knew regardless if they feel like it is important or not.
That needs to happen.
Just my opinion.

:1222423:Waiting on justice for Tara

[Hey Paula]

I really do not understand why LE does not give the public an update on Tara's case. Maybe they have a POI and are just sitting back and watching this person. Hopefully, there will be a break in the case soon. Just so sad that a beautiful young woman goes missing and no one saw or heard a thing!

:1222423:Tara

I believe the GBI does know who is responsible for Tara's disappearance/demise, but are waiting for the type of evidence which would ensure a conviction, e.g., Tara's remains or proof of her demise.

IMO

[Right To Live]

I believe the GBI does know who is responsible for Tara's disappearance/demise, but are waiting for the type of evidence which would ensure a conviction, e.g., Tara's remains or proof of her demise.

IMO

I think the same thing that GBI does have a suspect but not the evidence they need to make an arrest imo. I do wished the people of Ocilla would step up and defend Tara and speak about what they know. IMO there are people that does know what happened to Tara and they are being very quiet.

[Hey Paula]

I think the same thing that GBI does have a suspect but not the evidence they need to make an arrest imo. I do wished the people of Ocilla would step up and defend Tara and speak about what they know. IMO there are people that does know what happened to Tara and they are being very quiet.

Ironically, I believe it is more difficult to solve crimes officially in small towns than it is in big cities. Because small town communities are more tightly knit, (Ocilla even more so because many of the townsfolk are kinfolk too) there is a tendency for people to keep things to themselves, especially if they intend to continue living in that community. There was a case I read about recently where a woman was murdered in one such town, more than 2 decades ago, and although her family and the townsfolk supposedly know who is responsible, to the dismay and frustration of the family, that case remains yet unsolved.

[Right To Live]

Ironically, I believe it is more difficult to solve crimes officially in small towns than it is in big cities. Because small town communities are more tightly knit, (Ocilla even more so because many of the townsfolk are kinfolk too) there is a tendency for people to keep things to themselves, especially if they intend to continue living in that community. There was a case I read about recently where a woman was murdered in one such town, more than 2 decades ago, and although her family and the townsfolk supposedly know who is responsible, to the dismay and frustration of the family, that case remains yet unsolved.


I hope that isn't the case with the people of Ocilla. I would hope they would talk if they know something because if I were a person that knew what happened to Tara I would NEVER want that hanging over my head that she isn't found because I kept my mouth shut. I am glad the town I live in isn't tight lipped. I have a police scanner and it is amazing what people report seeing on a daily basis here. The people here are not shy to pick up the phone and tell what they know or see. :zm10:

[concernedperson]

I hope that isn't the case with the people of Ocilla. I would hope they would talk if they know something because if I were a person that knew what happened to Tara I would NEVER want that hanging over my head that she isn't found because I kept my mouth shut. I am glad the town I live in isn't tight lipped. I have a police scanner and it is amazing what people report seeing on a daily basis here. The people here are not shy to pick up the phone and tell what they know or see. :zm10:

The only thing I can see at this point for the complete silence is fear that harm may come to them for speaking. What else could possibly incur so much silence?

[Right To Live]

The only thing I can see at this point for the complete silence is fear that harm may come to them for speaking. What else could possibly incur so much silence?

I don't know but would there not be a way citizens could report something without anyone finding out about it?

[Hey Paula]

The only thing I can see at this point for the complete silence is fear that harm may come to them for speaking. What else could possibly incur so much silence?

I agree that the fear factor might account for much of the silence, despite the $200,000 reward offer, of which $100,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone who might have been involved in Tara's disappearance. Anyone with this kind of information might fear sharing Tara's fate if they come forward, making this sizable reward less appealing.

IMO

[Right To Live]

I agree that the fear factor might account for much of the silence, despite the $200,000 reward offer, of which $100,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone who might have been involved in Tara's disappearance. Anyone with this kind of information might fear sharing Tara's fate if they come forward, making this sizable reward less appealing.

IMO

I wonder if it would make a difference if the entire $200,000 was applied to info leading to the arrest and conviction as I do not believe Tara's safe return will ever happen at this point.

[Hey Paula]

I wonder if it would make a difference if the entire $200,000 was applied to info leading to the arrest and conviction as I do not believe Tara's safe return will ever happen at this point.

I honestly don't think it would make a difference. If someone truly fears for their lives, no amount of money will encourage them to come forward.

My personal opinion is for the Snapdragon Rd fires to be focused upon. I believe they are directly tied to Tara's disappearance and demise. Perhaps if pressure is applied there, more information/answers re Tara's fate will emerge.

IMO

[Right To Live]

I honestly don't think it would make a difference. If someone truly fears for their lives, no amount of money will encourage them to come forward.

My personal opinion is for the Snapdragon Rd fires to be focused upon. I believe they are directly tied to Tara's disappearance and demise. Perhaps if pressure is applied there, more information/answers re Tara's fate will emerge.

IMO

I agree and IMO believe the Snapdragon Road fire is the key to solving this whole case. IMOO

[Hey Paula]

I agree and IMO believe the Snapdragon Road fire is the key to solving this whole case. IMOO

I believe it might very well be. After all, there was no reason for cadaver dogs to alert there , causing debris to be sifted. The cause of this fire is "Undetermined", and as per the fire marshal: "The case is closed. No further investigation is needed at this time." There have been cases which were ruled "Undetermined", but later changed to accidental or arson, when evidence was presented to warrant amendment of the ruling.

[Right To Live]

I believe it might very well be. After all, there was no reason for cadaver dogs to alert there , causing debris to be sifted. The cause of this fire is "Undetermined", and as per the fire marshal: "The case is closed. No further investigation is needed at this time." There have been cases which were ruled "Undetermined", but later changed to accidental or arson, when evidence was presented to warrant amendment of the ruling.


Due to the fact there seems to be 9 guests viewing maybe we should put some info together on here and invite the guests to come help with this case as well as anyone else that is a member here and may also be interested?

[LookingforTara]

This case has more twists and turns than a mystery novel. I wish that someone felt the reward was motive enough to come forward. I also wish that they didn't need the reward as motive and came forward because its the right thing to do. This poor family needs some resolve.

[Hey Paula]

Due to the fact there seems to be 9 guests viewing maybe we should put some info together on here and invite the guests to come help with this case as well as anyone else that is a member here and may also be interested?

This board is dedicated to finding those who are missing, and for those who have met with foul play, to follow their cases to their conclusion through the prosecution of their victimizers/murderers. Many of the posters here at HFTM are known to me because I've had the pleasure of posting with them on other boards and cases. They are true advocates for victims. I hope they will come to Tara's board and share their thoughts and opinions.

[LookingforTara]

After watching the dateline video on Tara, seeing her animated really touched a nerve. MH wanted to be on Dateline because he was upset at all of the accusations and about him being a trained Army Ranger. I can get that, but why didn't he make a plea to the public that anyone with info please come forward? He didn't address this issue at all. He dated Tara for 5 years and doesn't even show an ounce of worry about her. It was all about him. IMO it's what he didn't say that says more.

[Hey Paula]

This case has more twists and turns than a mystery novel. I wish that someone felt the reward was motive enough to come forward. I also wish that they didn't need the reward as motive and came forward because its the right thing to do. This poor family needs some resolve.

Yes, it certainly does. Hopefully, when the GBI feels the time is right, they will release more facts related to Tara's case. I believe this will help tremendously in our search for the truth in what happened to Tara and who is responsible. We might find that it isn't as complicated as it seems once more facts are revealed.

When a large reward doesn't motivate those who are not governed by altruism, then we are left to wonder and ponder the reasons why they are not coming forward. The consensus seems to be, because Ocilla is such a tiny town, that someone knows something. Connie Grinstead, Tara's stepmother, believes this too.

Excerpt:

C. GRINSTEAD: We just want to keep the word out there. We want this anonymous tip line phone number posted, and we just feel like somebody knows something, and we are just hoping and praying that somebody will come forward and give information that will lead us to Tara.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9910590/

[concernedperson]

From the article it seems that her disappearance is totally out of the ordinary. Her step mother is saying that she was very responsible and would have called in to work if she wasn't able to be there. Her sister thinks she was abducted after coming home and changing. And, the sheriff said they have NO leads. How can there be no leads in such a tiny town?


CONNIE GRINSTEAD, STEPMOTHER OF TARA GRINSTEAD: We know this is so out of character for her, to not go to work, to not call in, and to not have gotten in touch with somebody.

POTTER: The 30-year-old woman was last seen heading home from a late-night dinner with friends. At her house, decorated for Halloween, police found her cell phone inside and her car in the driveway. Evidence technicians found no signs of a struggle or forced entry, but did notice her purse and keys were gone.

ANITA GATTIS, SISTER OF TARA GRINSTEAD: I think she left on her own accord, and it turned into an abduction after that.

POTTER: Her students are frightened and perplexed.

DANA WILDER, STUDENT: I was one of the last people to see her.

POTTER: Including one, whom Grinstead had helped hours before she disappeared, working at, of all things, a beauty pageant.

WILDER: She was in a wonderful mood. She was doing something that she loved. She loved doing hair and makeup for girls and pageants, and she loved going to the pageants.

POTTER: Police say they have no proof of an abduction, but, as time passes, their concerns grow.

DONNIE YOUGHN, IRWIN COUNTY SHERIFF: Not good. Not good. We don‘t have any leads.

[LookingforTara]

I doubt that anyone here knows the answer to my question, but with Tara's cell phone being home and on it's charger, did it have Tara's prints on it and/or was it wiped clean? If there were no prints on it, this might further elude to someone taking her and bringing the phone back in order for it not to be used as a tracking device.

[Hey Paula]

I doubt that anyone here knows the answer to my question, but with Tara's cell phone being home and on it's charger, did it have Tara's prints on it and/or was it wiped clean? If there were no prints on it, this might further elude to someone taking her and bringing the phone back in order for it not to be used as a tracking device.

Because Tara's messages were played by the Harpers et al, their fingerprints would likely be on Tara's phones, which might have disturbed any evidence previously left on them.

[LookingforTara]

Because Tara's messages were played by the Harpers et al, their fingerprints would likely be on Tara's phones, which might have disturbed any evidence previously left on them.

I forgot about that Hey Paula. I also forgot how many people were in Tara's house before they thought it might have been a crime scene.

I just wish something or someone would break on this case.

[Hey Paula]

I forgot about that Hey Paula. I also forgot how many people were in Tara's house before they thought it might have been a crime scene.

I just wish something or someone would break on this case.

Good Morning L4T!

I honestly believe the GBI knows who is responsible for Tara's disappearance. For me, it has been intimated in statements made by them, such as stressing there is a difference between suspicion and evidence of involvement. I believe they are still missing a piece/some pieces of the puzzle. I was very encouraged by Agent Rothwell's statement that he will not retire until Tara's case is solved.

I'm also glad to know the GBI monitors message boards. Agent Rothwell said he monitors the MBs in Tara's case, and believes it is a worthwhile undertaking, although it doesn't drive his investigation.

[LookingforTara]

I was talking to a friend about Tara's case last night and after a few minutes of explaining some of the details of this case, I stopped and said to my friend, 'if this was a movie of the week, no one would believe it'. There are so many twists and turns, the average tv viewer would be lost in half a second. Yet, so many people who never even knew Tara, try to figure out what happened to her every single day. I find this admirable. The bickering and mud slinging on other MB's is part of the down side of human nature. The GBI has their work cut out for them if they are reading every post.

I can't help believing that the killer has told at least one other person what they have done. Maybe not, but after this length of time, it seems plausible. And if that person has assured them that they will take their secret to the grave, they may find themselves in that grave sooner than they planned! It's not healthy to know a secret like that. IMO

I sure hope the GBI have it all in the bag and that missing piece comes to them soon.

[Hey Paula]

I was talking to a friend about Tara's case last night and after a few minutes of explaining some of the details of this case, I stopped and said to my friend, 'if this was a movie of the week, no one would believe it'. There are so many twists and turns, the average tv viewer would be lost in half a second. Yet, so many people who never even knew Tara, try to figure out what happened to her every single day. I find this admirable. The bickering and mud slinging on other MB's is part of the down side of human nature. The GBI has their work cut out for them if they are reading every post.

I can't help believing that the killer has told at least one other person what they have done. Maybe not, but after this length of time, it seems plausible. And if that person has assured them that they will take their secret to the grave, they may find themselves in that grave sooner than they planned! It's not healthy to know a secret like that. IMO

I sure hope the GBI have it all in the bag and that missing piece comes to them soon.

I honestly believe, when Tara's case is officially solved, we might be surprised how uncomplicated and simple it was. I believe many of the twists, turns and complexities are due to outside forces spreading rumors and contradicting events which have actually taken place.

The mudslinging and personal attacks, while deplorable, serve a worthy purpose too. As the saying goes, "out of bad, comes good". I know it has caused me to see this case more clearly, and I believe because the GBI reads the MBs, that it will have the same effect on them. There is a reason why occurrences are denied, fingers are pointed unduly at others, especially at family members, and the GBI is unduly maligned. There is only one truth, and it never changes. When these tactics are employed, there is a clear and unmistakable agenda at work. It has not escaped me, and I've no doubt it hasn't escaped the GBI either.

I hope and pray, with all my heart, the GBI gets what they need to satisfy and convince the DA they can meet their burden of proof BARD against the person responsible for Tara's disappearance/demise. I pray that although justice might be delayed, that it won't be denied Tara, her family and all who love her. For Tara's mother's sake, especially because she is ill, that day cannot come soon enough.

IMO

[LookingforTara]

You make some very good points HP.

My favorite line in what you just posted is this one: I pray that although justice might be delayed, that it won't be denied Tara, her family and all who love her. I hope and pray that that line becomes a classic statement in Tara's case when we look back on it. It would make a great signature line.

AMO

[KittyMom]

GBI were involved in both of the following cases. Lots of reading involved but interesting outcomes.

http://missingexploited.com/2006/02/08/sue-ann-rays-body-found-husband-jailed/

http://www.avoc.info/info/article.php?article=123&ENGINEsessID=3efcde8e91f0f06c0f4bf603ab05f213

[Right To Live]

GBI were involved in both of the following cases. Lots of reading involved but interesting outcomes.

http://missingexploited.com/2006/02/08/sue-ann-rays-body-found-husband-jailed/

http://www.avoc.info/info/article.php?article=123&ENGINEsessID=3efcde8e91f0f06c0f4bf603ab05f213

Thanks for posting those links KM. Indeed interesting reading and outcomes.

[PhillyLawyer]

Well, I would love to believe that she was still alive. Perhaps caught in a time warp to reappear.

But, I have to agree that it was probably someone who knew Tara. Although I disagree about there being a fear factor to the perpetrator not showing up. I would go more with that there was some local (since her ex was a local) v. outsider (Tara was from Hawkinsville) loyalty being shown..

Despite all this pontifcation on the subject, I really know very little of what has transpired other than she disappeared. I learned about Tara from following a link about Karyn Kupcinet. Tara interests me more than Ms Kupcinet.

But, as I pointed out in other posts, the Anne Marie Fahey case shows that the lack of a body does not preclude prosecution.

So, I am mystified as to why there is no further action in this case. I believe the latex glove is a stumbling block.

To be quite honest, this is a capital murder case as it is obviously premeditated. Or if it isn't premeditated, there is enough post crime "sanitising" to make me wonder if someone from the Ocilla Police Department, or more than one person from that agency are involved. That is the reason GBI was placed in charge of this investigation.

I also agree that I pray that although justice might be delayed, that it won't be denied Tara, her family and all who love her.

I am sorry that any resolution will come too late for Tara's Mother.

[PattyB]

For some reason the story about Tara came to my mind today. I found this site when looking to see what had ultimately happened with the investigation. This is so sad. It is such a bizarre situation for there to be no information and for to have vanished without a trace. Surely someone will come forward with information eventually.

[SavannahStar]

Welcome, PattyB!!!! I hope you find like this site!

[partyofinterest]

Lack of a body may not preclude prosecution, but it surely makes winning the case very difficult.

If all the suspected suspects were lined up, side by side, and all their information was laid out on a table, most of them, perhaps, would be shown to have been less likely to kill her than some of the others.

I don't know all the suspects (according to the forums all over the 'net), but have read several names.

One looks much more interesting than the others, due to his recent involvement with her and the fact that he had a wife and family.


Well, I would love to believe that she was still alive. Perhaps caught in a time warp to reappear.

But, I have to agree that it was probably someone who knew Tara. Although I disagree about there being a fear factor to the perpetrator not showing up. I would go more with that there was some local (since her ex was a local) v. outsider (Tara was from Hawkinsville) loyalty being shown..

Despite all this pontifcation on the subject, I really know very little of what has transpired other than she disappeared. I learned about Tara from following a link about Karyn Kupcinet. Tara interests me more than Ms Kupcinet.

But, as I pointed out in other posts, the Anne Marie Fahey case shows that the lack of a body does not preclude prosecution.

So, I am mystified as to why there is no further action in this case. I believe the latex glove is a stumbling block.

To be quite honest, this is a capital murder case as it is obviously premeditated. Or if it isn't premeditated, there is enough post crime "sanitising" to make me wonder if someone from the Ocilla Police Department, or more than one person from that agency are involved. That is the reason GBI was placed in charge of this investigation.

I also agree that I pray that although justice might be delayed, that it won't be denied Tara, her family and all who love her.

I am sorry that any resolution will come too late for Tara's Mother.