Peter Van Sant: I've heard you have an announcement to make. The case was featured in an April 2018 episode of the CBS documentary show 48 Hours. "In fact, it's the exact opposite. He was arrested by U.S. marshals in Cartersville, Ga., in December. Medra Justis: somebody had no respect for her and we knew who that was. She was never charged with a crime. NEWS REPORT: When Marsha disappeared in June 2009, her husband Donnie Brantley did not report her missing. From their home in Montana, Shoot Straight with Chad & Marsha follows Chad, Marsha and their two boys-Walker and Wyatt . When Donnie Brantley was deposed in a 2013 civil suit, he didn't seem to want to talk much about his feelings for Marsha. Peter Van Sant: You're convinced you've got the right man. But investigators didn't believe she voluntarily left. Max Goodwin sets out to tear up the bureaucracy and provide exceptional care, but the doctors and staff are not so sure he can succeed. Peter Van Sant: And what are you holding in your hand? Biography. In order for the charge to stick, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Donnie Brantley planned and intentionally killed his wife. She was outgoing she was one of my favorite cousins. A look at the evidence: Did Donnie Brantley conceal a crime? By looking at the case only through the lens that Donnie Brantley is guilty, they will only find evidence to back up that theory. The two continued to see each other, but only for a short time before going their separate ways. Prosecutor Steve Crump to reporters: I was interested in it from the very beginning. Peter Van Sant: And how much money are we talkin' about? He said they did not believe Donnie Brantley had anything to do with it. It's a greeting card Crump says Donnie hand delivered to that ex-girlfriend he'd been calling. They were all lies. Elise Brantley: I wish I knew. As for the camper, there is conflicting information about when and where the camper was found. When Zach Pike and David Shoemaker of the Bradley County Sheriff's Office got the case in 2011, they quickly saw why Donnie Brantley was a suspect. "What proof is there that she's in fact dead as opposed to gone missing or living someplace else?" Peter Van Sant: And they had a real marriage? Marsha Brantley, 50 at the time of her disappearance, was originally from Illinois. Det. Janie Parks Varnell | Defense attorney: Law enforcement had tunnel vision and they had tunnel vision that led directly to Donnie Brantley. As per the sources, Mark Brantley, who is currently the Premier of Nevis and the leader of the Concerned Citizens Movement, was chosen to be the face of the upcoming general elections 2020. Surprisingly, he accepts. So what happened to her? In Tennessee, first-degree murder is defined as the premeditated, intentional killing of another. Marsha was last seen in Cleveland, Tennessee sometime in late May or early June 2009. "She's leaving me. As far as they can document, they know she was on her way home from a writers conference on May 27 because phone records show she spoke with her friend Kim Shank, who lives in Ohio. In her 30 years as a hairdresser in Cleveland, Tennessee, Kelly DeLude says cuts, perms and parts are only part of the job. That's terrible. But a couple of months before Marsha disappeared, Reggie Jay says the writers group was stunned by a bitter email exchange with her. Perhaps her work was not flashy enough, or too subdued, or perhaps her intelligence too often disguised a genuine sex . She was an amateur writer, and was fond of her dogs and outdoor activities. They shared hundreds of images showing broken windows, black mould, disabled smoke detectors, water leaking through a light fixture, crumbling walls and rusty appliances. We will remember him forever. Kim Shank: He was what I always wanted for her somebody that she could be in to and love and share her life with and live on happily ever after. We don't have what you normally think of in terms of a homicide case. The purchase and landfill trip, coupled with not having found Marsha Brantley's body, is proof of premeditation, Crump said. Det. Investigators believe she went missing in early June or July 2009. They still have hope of one day finding her body, her cousin Jana Wills said. "Dirty Little Secrets" is a story that Marsha wrote. I knew that something was very, very wrong. That is where investigators say they found it - at his parents' farm in Georgia. "I felt compelled to find out what happened to her," DeLude tells "48 Hours correspondent Peter Van Sant. DEPOSITION ATTORNEY: Are there other items of hers which you sold when she disappeared? Marsha and Donnie Brantley married on March 31, 2000. It's a case "48 Hours" has been working on for five years, and it raises questions about the challenges prosecutors often face when someone vanishes without a trace. Had it not perhaps been for her low-level profile compounded by her McCarthy-era blacklisting in the early 1950s, there is no telling what higher tier Marsha Hunt might have attained. Crump said it's proof Donnie Brantley killed his wife, but Davis said Donnie Brantley was simply telling Richardson that his wife had just left him and he was ready to begin a friendship. Crump said they also found a landfill ticket that showed Donnie Brantley had dumped some questionable items. "48 Hours" producer Josh Yager investigated the disappearance of Marsha Brantley and the case against her husband Donnie Brantley for the episode,. Kelly DeLude: She literally went up, knocked on the door, and when he answered, she said, "Donnie, where's Marsha?" DEPOSITION ATTORNEY: Did she keep the money or you? She is kind, compassionate and a wonderful. Peter Van Sant: So Marsha said to you she was experiencing severe depression? Prosecutor Steve Crump: You only get one shot. Mr. Blizzard died Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at his home. ", Peter Van Sant: She writes, "No one in the group is responsible for my MIA, missing in action, status. Reconnect with friends from high school, find reunions, view yearbook photos and more. Watkins died Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at his home in Adrian, GA. Mr. Watkins, 76, was born in Adrian, GA on January 21, 1945. Lee Davis: When your wife tells you she's leaving the marriage, you don't call the police or 911. Now, after nine long years, a jury will hear both sides of Marsha Brantley's mysterious disappearance. Jana Wills: She would come and pick me up from high school sometimes and we would go get ice cream. With two exclamation points. In June 2009, right around the time authorities think Marsha disappeared, they say Donnie used her phone to make a highly suspicious call. Friends and family members reported that Brantley suffered from depression. She was born on 1974-06-1. It's ridiculous. Davis, however, has argued that the receipts were from Donnie Brantley's home repair franchise he co-owned with his wife. The call went to voicemail. Donnie, Marsha's husband, said she had left him and he hadn't seen her since May or June 2009. In October 2016, Brantley was again arrested in Kingston, Georgia. At another event, there was notable tension between the couple. And that is something that has complicated the case. She had the entire month of June planned out in her agenda and had just come in second place in a national competition for her short story, "Dirty Little Secrets." Peter Van Sant: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Kathleen was born on June 18 1919, in Lancaster, South Carolina, United States. No proof of a body, an autopsy. Peter Van Sant: Not a phone call, not an email, not a text message? Kelly DeLude: She loved her husband She mentioned him every time. She can write, this woman. Despite the circumstantial evidence stacked against Donnie Brantley, Davis, a former prosecutor, has maintained that Donnie Brantley's guilt depends on the lens through which it's viewed. Prosecutor Steve Crump: This has got to be done exactly right. Peter Van Sant [outside courthouse]: This is a very important day for Donnie Brantley. The defense had already stated it would file for a motion for judgment of acquittal, and Crump noted concerns with how the judge ruled in those motions after he ruled in favor of the defense in a similar case in McMinn County, Tenn. One article in the series details what defense attorneys claimed were prosecutors' missteps or misconduct, including withholding evidence and violating defendants' rights. And there was other suspicious behavior. Peter Van Sant: And what are the last notes that you have written. Or did her husband kill her, as the prosecutors and her family say? She married Donnie Brantley on March 28, 2000. Prosecutor Steve Crump: This is a receipt for for a torch kit -- for a welder. In the comments she wrote, "He just does stuff like that. At the time of her disappearance she lived in Cleveland, Tennessee. No contracts or. He didn't elaborate on what is needed to close the case. Two years after his 2014 election, District Attorney General Stephen Crump charged Brantley again with essentially the same evidence. Can we lay her to rest beside her mother and father? Lee Davis: It's very important. Kelly DeLude: She told me that Marsha was no longer coming. we would just sort of catch up with one another. Davis said Marsha Brantley had asked him to buy the phone and to change her number because "a strange man" kept calling her. Kelly DeLude: I felt like finally justice is gonna be done. This is documented in a 2013 Bradley County Sheriff's Office interview transcript with Nansy Grill. Since there is no body and no crime scene, the case has revolved around two alleged motives and enough circumstantial evidence to uphold a conviction, according to current and former district attorneys general. "Our focus is to get out there and see if we can find that last piece of evidence to kind of make things close up.". There are receipts to corroborate his story, beginning around October 2009, he said. Richardson says she did date Donnie, but not while Marsha was in his life. Find Marsha Brantley's phone number, address, and email on Spokeo, the leading people search directory for contact information and public records. says Davis. Reviews of Marsha Brantley, Bailey, North Carolina. Marsha told her Donnie's handyman business was failing and money was tight. The case was featured in an April 2018 episode of the CBS documentary show 48 Hours. Type someone's name. Prosecutors agreed, and sent their investigator, Walt Hunt, now retired, to Marsha's house to look for her. But Davis said those stories were a result of bad interview practice to plant bias before asking questions. In late 2012, the couple's home was searched again. Elise Brantley: They got those dogs together. It was searched but no evidence of a crime was found. Additionally, Davis said Marsha Brantley took about $110,000 she had stashed in the attic. Prosecutor Steve Crump: He may be the singularly most dishonest defendant I've ever dealt with. During the encounter, the two allegedly shared a kiss. Lee Davis: You have a woman who describes herself as being severely depressed. It was a long conversation, and she allegedly told Shank she was considering leaving her writers' group to join one in Knoxville, 10th Judicial District Attorney General Steve Crump said. Peter Van Sant: And what did Donnie write on the inside of this card? Additionally, Davis said Richardson told him Donnie Brantley never spoke badly of Marsha Brantley, and she was upset that the relationship is portrayed as an affair. They would launch what would become a nine-year coordinated effort between state and local agencies, all dedicated to finding Marsha Brantley. to police, who then take it as a statement rather than a question. Pinterest. I've asked 'em point blank, "If Donnie is responsible, as you suggest, tell me how he did it?". Please enter valid email address to continue. Peter Van Sant: Wonderful imagery. Reggie Jay [reading email]: She says, "Ladies I just wanted to let you all know that I'd be missing for some time" without explaining. [Reading aloud] "The sun rose above the Kudzu covered trees as I swept the house and chased the dust outta the front door and across the porch with a broom.". Jay, who was closest to Brantley, said she let her know she was there for her if she needed to talk, but Brantley immediately "clammed up" and didn't talk about it any further. Peter Van Sant: Let's talk about the dog issue. Lee Davis|Defense attorney: We're ready for trial. Brantley was living in Cartersville, Ga., when he was re-arrested. Kelly DeLude: I've been a hair dresser for over 30 years You have certain clients that you kinda click with and you're closer to - and for me, Marsha was one of those clients. In February 2018, Marsha's husband, Donnie Brantley, has come to court ready to stand trial for allegedly murdering her. Marsha Brantley in California. "48 Hours" wanted to meet that "other woman.". Peter Van Sant: What was the state of their marriage in those last months prior to Marsha's disappearance? But in June 2009, a dark chapter began in Marsha Brantley's life -- with a plot twist right out of a novel -- she seemed to fall off the face of the earth. DONNIE BRANTLEY [pauses, reaches for a bottle of water before answering]: I plead the Fifth. Elise Brantley: I did not. Then, police say he lied repeatedly about where she had gone and what she'd taken with her. Delivery included to USA . I even built a snow Volks Wagon once. You're calling various people, right. Will we find her? General would you like to approach? Crump said this is documented in witness statements. At the time of her disappearance, she lived in Cleveland, Tennessee. He said investigators told interviewees that Donnie had changed his story several times before asking them what they thought of him. It also includes a stunning ending that nobody including prosecutors saw coming. Not a person who they suspect has been murdered by her husband. Terrero's chart notes show Marsha repeatedly reported feeling depressed, including this passage one month before she disappeared: Robin Terrero [reading]: On May 1st, 2009, "Patient has been off of hormones since April the 12th. Davis says that certainly doesn't help Donnie, but it shouldn't hurt him either. Peter Van Sant: To be charged with murder, dropped, charged with murder and dropped again, I'm sorry, I -- I just feel like there's some incompetence here. When Marsha Brantley, 50, of Cleveland, Tenn., suddenly vanished in 2009, her husband Donnie eventually became a suspect in her murder. Marsha Brantley The Generation Why Podcast Episode 331 May 2009. Peter Van Sant: Cause you get one shot at this. The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team represents the University of South Carolina and competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). DeLude said. Donnie Brantley was indicted for first-degree murder in 2009, but the charge was dropped. Medra Justis: We're just lookin' forward to bringing this thing to a close. They are barkin' their heads off." Prosecutor Steve Crump: Later in that email she says "But you all will see me around. In answering questions on video, he pleaded the Fifth Amendment or said he couldn't recall more than 100 times. I'm sure we'll cross paths often since we live in such a small town.". She loves God with all her heart. Listing her as a missing person. Investigators say they are now certain Marsha Brantley is dead. [6] He was charged for the murder in December 2016. And he told her the most ridiculous story. Grill and Jay say Marsha was the best of the bunch. Marsha Brantley's friends said she would have been angry and devastated if she had found out about an alleged affair. Kelly DeLude: One night I decided, "Well, I'm gonna call Donnie and ask him if he knows where Marsha is. Brown didn't tell the others because it was a private conversation. Marsha disappeared from Cleveland, Tennessee in the spring of 2009 but it took more than six months before it was reported. Finally, in February of 2018, nearly nine years after Marsha Brantley disappeared, her husband's murder trial is scheduled to begin. But investigators thought that wasn't possible, so they had a second expert take a look at it, and that expert determined that it was not Marsha Brantley who wrote the signature. I felt good about the case.". Contact staff writer Rosana Hughes at [email protected] or 423-757-6327. Zach Pike | Bradley County Sheriff's Office: I'm raisin' my family here. Her parents are deceased and she has no children. Robin Terrero: Well, I mean, there have been cases known where women did commit suicide during this time. Kim Shank: She was 5'10" Even though she seemed to kind of command the room she was probably one of the more shy people to be that commanding with her physical presence. "The question now is can we prove that she was deceased as a result of a homicide, and that's what we're working on now. Terrero says Marsha was going through menopause and was having a tough time, including night sweats and mood swings. Nansy Grill: I'm probably the only person in the world that doesn't really, truly, believe that Marsha is dead. She is believed by local law enforcement to have been murdered by her then-husband Donnie Brantley, but no direct evidence has ever been found to prove this. ", "Bradley County officers search basement for missing woman", "Family relieved by Cleveland murder arrest", "Bradley Co murder charge dropped against accused husband", "Husband of missing woman arrested in Ga", "DA drops charges against Donnie Brantley", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Disappearance_of_Marsha_Brantley&oldid=1131471830, This page was last edited on 4 January 2023, at 08:55. The defense attorney asked to have the charges dismissed because there wasn't enough evidence. Lee Davis: If you believe that Marsha was murdered, you would say she would never leave the dogs behind if you look at it from the lens of Marsha was troubled and depressed or not sure what she was gonna do, the one thing she wouldn't do is take the dogs with her. Jul 17, 2020 - Explore Marsha Brantley's board "East coast road trip", followed by 105 people on Pinterest. Peter Van Sant: I have some rather startling news to tell you. She disagrees with the prosecutor's interpretation of the card. Jana Wills: Marsha loved her dogs. Marsha has lived in three cities, including Santa Monica, CA and Beverly Hills, CA. It was a reading sponsored by the writers' group in February 2009, and Donnie Brantley was on his phone the entire time Marsha Brantley read one of her stories, Grill said. But was Marsha even dead? Lt. David Shoemaker: She took a camper and moved to Townsend, Tennessee. Stunning ending that nobody including prosecutors saw coming: did she keep the or. 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