"But Barry continued on and loudly in that distinctive voice he goes, 'But Madison, he's no preacher man.'" — Madison (Reporter)
"If you know something and you're not coming forward, number one, Nick deserves justice." — Barry Crawford (Best Friend of Victim)
"The only thing that makes the family upset is that it seems like almost every other one of Nick's friends, his buddies, that's like the first thing they do to just kind of try to clear their name." — Madison (Reporter)
This episode of Crime Junkie delves into the 2004 murder of Brian Nick Moore in Anderson County, South Carolina. The investigation, initially launched after Moore was reported missing by his friend Daniel, became complicated by the discovery of his body days later. The autopsy revealed two gunshot wounds, one to the chest and one to the face, with evidence suggesting an "execution-style" killing. Forensic examination of the scene yielded shell casings and cigarette butts, but inconclusive results, leading to speculation about the exact location of the murder.
The podcast highlights several individuals who emerged as persons of interest. Wayne Miles, a business associate, faced scrutiny due to inconsistencies in his timeline and subsequent actions, including distributing business cards similar to Moore's after his death. Rodney Thomas, a sheriff's deputy and ex-husband of Moore's ex-wife, also drew attention for allegedly taking antiques from Moore's property after his disappearance and for not taking a polygraph. James Barker, also known as James Lewis, a man with a criminal history who was dating Moore's casual girlfriend, Sunshine, was considered due to a past threat and a failed polygraph test. Sunshine herself also provided conflicting accounts regarding her relationships.
The renewed investigation, spearheaded by Sergeant Kendall Cash and heavily influenced by Barry Crawford, Moore's best friend, brought the case back into the spotlight. Significant developments included a witness statement placing a red pickup truck at Moore's residence on the night he disappeared, and another witness reporting a red truck at James Barker's home the following day. More recently, a tip placed a white van near the scene where Moore was found, and a potential blood stain was discovered on a necklace found on Moore. Tragically, Wayne Miles, one of the initial persons of interest, died by suicide shortly before this episode's recording, adding another layer of complexity and unresolved questions to the case.