"Fred and I are getting a divorce and I'm not sure I will not be killed through all of this." — Charlotte Grabby (as documented in a letter)
"Prosecutors know convicting Fred isn't going to be easy. Like, right, like even with this witness, it's still a no body case." — Britt
"And the truth can be dangerous when you're up against Fred Grabby, because according to the police files that we have, this is where Fred's old buddy Dale suddenly comes back on the scene." — Britt
The episode recounts the harrowing disappearance and murder of Charlotte Grabby in 1981. Charlotte's daughter, Jenny, reported her mother missing after she failed to return from working on the family farm. Initial concerns were heightened due to Charlotte being in the midst of a contentious divorce from her husband, Fred Grabby, who had a history of alleged abuse. Evidence quickly pointed towards Fred as his new girlfriend, Vicki McAllister, was seen driving Charlotte's car shortly after Charlotte's disappearance, contradicting Fred's initial statements. Despite a lack of physical evidence connecting Fred directly to Charlotte's disappearance, Charlotte's own documented fears for her safety, including a letter accusing Fred and his associate Dale of criminal activity and expressing fear for her life, painted a grim picture.
The investigation gained critical momentum years later when a private investigator, Charles Pearson, managed to gain Vicky McAllister's trust. Vicky then provided a detailed account, confessing that she drove Charlotte's car while Fred murdered Charlotte at the farm. Vicky testified that Fred then dismembered and burned Charlotte's body before disposing of the remains in the Wabash River. This witness testimony, coupled with forensic analysis of a tree at the crime scene showing damage consistent with diesel fuel exposure, formed the basis for Fred Grabby's trial and conviction for murder in 1985. However, the case continued to be fraught with legal challenges, including an overturned conviction and a mistrial in a separate escape attempt charge.
The narrative also delves into the unsolved murder of Charlotte's son, Jeff, who was found dead in California prior to Fred's retrial. Fred was eventually convicted again in 1988 and sentenced to 75 years, a sentence that stuck despite further appeals. The episode concludes by exploring Jenny's persistent belief that her father may be responsible for additional unsolved killings and the complexities surrounding Fred's release in 2022, after serving almost 41 years.