The Murder of Christopher Gray
For this case, I watched an episode of See No Evil. It’s season 10 episode 4, titled ‘Black Widow.’
A 25-year-old man is last seen on surveillance cameras leaving his job at Walmart.
Background
Christopher Gray lived in Groton, Vermont with his friend and legal guardian, Annie Crowley. Christopher’s parents were divorced, and he had lived with his dad for awhile. He was an adult and didn’t want to live with his parents, so Annie took him in.
Christopher needed a bit of help in his everyday life due to his developmental disability and speech impediment. At the time of his disappearance, Christopher worked at Walmart in Haverhill, New Hampshire, which was about 34 minutes from Groton.
Christopher was described as having a heart of gold and kind to everyone. Annie would later say that Christopher was trusting, and wasn’t able to pick up on cues if people weren’t being genuine or kind to him.
Christopher Gray
The Disappearance
On October 6, 2008, Christopher was scheduled to work at Walmart until 11:30pm. He contacted Annie around 6pm, and said he was going to hang out with friends, and would be home the next day after work.
By the evening of October 7, Annie started to worry because Christopher hadn’t returned home after work. Annie said Christopher’s phone went straight to voicemail.
On October 8, Annie’s husband woke up around 5am, and said Christopher still hadn’t returned home. Annie went to Christopher’s friend’s home, but they hadn’t seen him. They said Christopher had been a no call no show at work.
Annie contacted the Vermont State Police. She was distraught, but was able to give Detective Mark Potter a description of the clothes Christopher had last been seen in and when she last saw him. Annie also told Detective Potter about Christopher’s disabilities.
An official missing persons report was filed for Christopher.
The Black Honda
Detective Potter was able to determine that Christopher’s phone had been off since the day he disappeared, October 6. He then went to Walmart in Haverhill to obtain the surveillance footage.
A manager at the store told Detective Potter that he had worked with Christopher on October 6. He said Christopher’s shift ended at 11:30pm. On the surveillance footage, Christopher was seen leaving the store, returning to grab his jacket, and exiting. It also appeared like Christopher was looking outside for someone.
The outside cameras captured a black Honda in front of the store. An individual wearing a yellow sweatshirt exited the car, and opened the door to let Christopher inside.
Detective Potter contacted Detective Corporal Wallace Trott of the Haverhill Police. Detective Trott knew almost everyone in the area. He was shown still images of the surveillance footage. He was able to determine that the license plate was a New Hampshire plate. But, he wanted to see the actual surveillance footage for himself.
The Suspects
Detective Trott was immediately able to determine that the black Honda had a red strip trim on the car. Detective Trott was familiar with the car, and determined that it belonged to a man named Michael Robie. At the time of Christopher’s disappearance, Michael was incarcerated.
Michael’s car had pulled up in the parking lot about 90 minutes before it was seen picking up Christopher. The car then pulled up in front of the store, and two male individuals could be seen going into the store.
Detective Trott was able to identify the suspects as Timothy Smith and Anthony Howe. Timothy had been the individual seen opening the door for Christopher as he ran out of Walmart.
After Anthony and Timothy leave the store, the driver of the car entered the store. Detective Trott was able to identify her as Amber Talbot. Amber also worked at Walmart, and was the girlfriend of Michael Robie. It looked as if Amber had entered the store to look for someone.
A Chilling Confession
Detective Trott contacted Detective Potter after he was able to identify all 3 suspects. Detective Trott went to the property where Amber and Michael lived. The black Honda wasn’t there when he arrived, and no one answered the door.
Detective Trott had left his business card, and was surprised when Amber contacted him. She agreed to talk, and arrived at the police station with Anthony Howe. Before Amber went inside, Anthony asked Detective Trott if the police had any arrest warrants out on him. It was on odd question, but Detective Trott said he would talk to Anthony later.
Amber told the police that she had last seen Christopher on October 6. She said Christopher had asked if she could give him a ride. She agreed, and said she arrived at Walmart with Anthony and Timothy.
At first, Amber said they dropped Christopher off at Newbury Crossing. She later said he had been dropped off at a home in Newbury. Amber was released as the police had no evidence to hold her.
Anthony was interviewed next, and was obviously very nervous. Anthony told the police that they had driven Christopher to Michael and Amber’s property, and told Amber to stay the night at her mom’s house.
Anthony was read his rights, and agreed to keep talking. He said they started a bonfire, but less than 20 minutes later, Christopher was stabbed by Timothy. Anthony said two different knives were used, and that he hadn’t participated in the stabbing. He said he ran inside the house and washed off the blood from his hands, and put in a funny movie.
Anthony admitted to helping Timothy drag Christopher’s body behind the house. On the day of the confession, they dug a hole and put Christopher’s body in it.
Timothy’s Story
After Anthony’s confession, the police brought Timothy Smith in. He admitted that he and Christopher had been fist fighting and wrestling all night. He said they got into a brawl, and he stabbed Christopher.
Timothy said he and Anthony put Christopher in a wheelbarrow, and took him to the barn. He also admitted that they dug a hole and buried Christopher’s body.
After his confession, Timothy asked if he could write an apology letter to Christopher’s family. As if they would have wanted to hear or read anything from him. In the letter he wrote:
“My name is Timothy Smith and I would like to say sorry for your loss. Me & Chris ended up getting into a fight and I ended up stabbing him. I came out clean and told the cops about everything. He was a very good guy and he didn’t deserve it. I am very very sorry for what I have done. He didn’t deserve what I did to him. He was a hard worker. Thanks, Timothy Smith.”
The New Hampshire State Police assisted in helping search Michael and Amber’s property. Bloody clothing were found in a well on the property and in the attic. The police also found two bloody knives. Timothy and Anthony had also attempted to destroy the blood evidence near the fire pit by using water and paint.
Christopher’s body was recovered from a shallow grave. Timothy and Anthony were both charged with murder. The police now had 2/3 of their suspects, but still weren’t sure what the motive was.
The Motive
Detective Trott pushed Anthony for more information. Anthony told the police that Amber had arrived home earlier in the day, and was speaking to Michael, who had still been in jail at the time.
Detective Trott obtained over 200 hours of jail house calls between Amber and Michael. On one of the phone calls, Amber can be heard telling Michael that “it’s done.” They both can be heard laughing about it.
Amber continued to deny everything until the jail house calls were played for her.
Michael asked Amber if they aka Timothy and Anthony, cleaned up. Amber said they just had to do one more thing, which was probably to bury Christopher.
Michael had been the mastermind from jail, and had discussed wanting to have Christopher beat up. Michael had thought that Christopher had been trying to hit on Amber. Apparently, Timothy was the one who wanted to kill Christopher.
Amber and Michael were both charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
The Convictions
Anthony Howe, Timothy Smith and Amber Talbot all pled guilty to second degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Michael pled guilty to assault, conspiracy to commit assault, hindering apprehension and conspiracy to hinder apprehension. There was no direct evidence that Michael had hired his friends to kill Christopher.
Amber was sentenced t0 20-50 years. Timothy and Anthony were sentenced to 40 years. Michael was sentenced to 20-40 years.
Michael Robie
Timothy Smith
Anthony Howe
Amber Talbot
FINAL THOUGHTS
These sick individuals obviously targeted Christopher from the very start. Christopher was probably very nice to Amber at work, but as Annie stated, wasn’t great at picking up on cues. Amber took it upon herself to let Michael know that Christopher was hitting on her. Michael knew nothing about Christopher, and probably didn’t know him, and plotted to have him beaten up. I believe they all agreed to kill Christopher. It’s a bit of an escalation to go from beating someone up to having them killed.
Sources
https://www.fosters.com/story/news/local/2008/11/24/killing-disabled-man-troubles-small/52187105007/
