The Murder of Laura Jean Ackerson
I had heard about this case before, but didn’t know all the details until this case was recommended! I watched an episode of See No Evil. It’s season 9 episode 7, titled ‘Final Offer.’
A young mother of two boys disappears.
Background
Laura Jean Ackerson was only 27-years-old when she disappeared. Laura had two sons, who were about 2 and 3 when this occurred.
Laura met the father of her children, a man named Grant Hayes. Grant was a musician, and often traveled, which ended their relationship. Grant then moved onto a woman named Amanda Smith, an actress. Laura, Grant, and Amanda agreed to co-parent, and that the boys would have equal time with each parent.
Laura had been working with her good friend, Chevon Mathes, to start a restaurant marketing business. Laura was excited about the future, and wanted to have a good life for her and her sons.
Laura Jean Ackerson
Laura with her children
Amanda, Grant, and the children
The Disappearance
On Wednesday, July 13, 2011, Laura had a meeting at a restaurant called Bill’s Grill. Chevon tried contacting Laura, but she didn't answer. It was unusual, because the two were in constant contact almost everyday.
Chevon tried contacting Laura over the next few days. She also went over to Laura’s apartment, and discovered that her car was missing. On July 18, Chevon reported Laura missing.
The police went to Laura’s apartment. The apartment was clean, and there was no sign of a struggle. It was clear to the police that Laura’s kids were her life. Every part of her apartment was filled with toys and items that young children would love.
Laura also had several plants that were dying from not being watered. It was obvious that Laura hadn’t been there for several days.
The police noticed that there were surveillance cameras near Laura’s apartment, which was also by the exit. Laura was last seen on surveillance on July 13, around 8am, when she left for her work meeting.
The Custody Exchange
The police had learned from Chevon that Grant and Laura met every Friday at 5pm for their custody exchange.
The police contacted Grant, and asked him if he had seen Laura. Grant said they were supposed to meet on July 15 at a Sheetz gas station in Raleigh, but Laura never showed up.
The police went to the Sheetz gas station to obtain the surveillance footage. Grant and the boys entered the store, where Grant purchased cigarettes. They waited outside the store for awhile, but Laura never showed up.
By Tuesday, July 19, information about Laura’s disappearance was released to the media.
The Message
The police received some information from Laura’s friend, Oxanna. She shared with them a voicemail she received from Laura on July 13 at 4:19pm. Laura told Oxanna that she was going to Grant and Amanda’s apartment in Raleigh, to visit her boys, and wanted to meet with her around 7pm. Laura never showed up for their 7pm plans.
While they were meeting with Oxanna, they received a phone call that Laura’s car was found in an apartment complex in Raleigh. Laura’s car ended up being found 400 yards from Grant and Amanda’s apartment.
The police checked Laura’s car and trunk. There was nothing inside that suggested a struggle had occurred. The police were now able to determine that Laura disappeared between 4:19-7pm on July 13. They also believed Grant and Amanda knew more, or were most likely involved.
The Apartment
The police decided to speak to Chevon again. Chevon told them that their custody exchange wasn’t amicable. It was actually very contentious. Laura felt like Amanda wasn’t very respectful of her, and that co-parenting wasn’t working out.
The police heard the same information from Laura’s friend, Heidi. Heidi told them that she didn’t like Grant from the minute she met him. Grant acted like a good guy to the public, but was actually very narcissistic and controlling. Heidi said that their final court date for custody of their children was coming up.
The police called Grant, and asked if he’d be willing to speak with them. Grant told them no, as he was out of town. The police were able to obtain a search warrant for Grant and Amanda’s apartment.
On Wednesday, July 20, 2011, the apartment was searched. The police immediately smelled bleach as soon as they opened the door. In the front room, there was a large bleach stain. The carpet was very dark, and the stain was lighter, and really stood out.
In the bathroom, the police also smelled bleach. There was no shower curtain, and the bathtub was so clean, that it was described as being very shiny.
There was a handwritten note with two handwriting samples. It appeared to be some kind of agreement. It said Grant was willing to pay Laura $25,000, in exchange for custody of their sons. Laura’s signature was on it, and it was dated July 13.
One final clue that was found let the police know that something horrible had happened inside the apartment. One of the detectives found a manual for a reciprocating saw, which is usually used for remodeling. The police learned that a Walmart about 3 miles from the apartment sold the saw.
The Surveillance Footage
The police learned that the saw was purchased by Grant on July 14, around 2:30am. Grant can be seen picking up the saw, and purchasing it. He also purchased saw blades and gloves, and returned to the same Walmart 2 days later. During his second trip, he purchased bags of ice and a cooler.
The police had to find Grant and Amanda. They had tracked them to the home of Grant’s parents, in Kinston, North Carolina.
The police set up surveillance on the house, and obtained the couple’s bank records. The police also received information from Amanda’s daughter, that they decided to take the boys on a last minute trip, and had rented a U-Haul.
On July 16, Grant purchased the U-Haul from the Capital Boulevard location in Raleigh. Grant had made some odd comments to the employees. He told them that he was traveling to Texas for a fishing trip. He told them that he had coolers filled with fish bait. Grant seemed very calm, and like he didn’t have a care in the world.
The police learned that Amanda’s sister, Karen Perry, lived in Fort Bend, Texas. They believed that the couple was transporting Laura’s body, or at least some evidence.
The Discovery
The police traveled to Texas, and spoke to Karen, who was expecting them. Karen asked the police if she could pray before she told them what she knew.
Karen was very hesitant to talk about her sister. She eventually said that Amanda had told her that they hurt Laura. She and Grant had asked Karen if they could use a boat to take to the creek to go fishing. They also asked her if she knew if alligators could eat a human body.
On Sunday, July 24, 2011, a Houston dive team went to Oyster Creek. They found body parts, a human torso cut in a half, and a skull. It was clear that something had been poured on the skull. The skull was more decomposed than the other parts.
The medical examiner was able to use dental records to positively identify the remains as those of Laura Ackerson.
The Convictions
By the time the remains were discovered, Grant and Amanda had already returned to North Carolina.
On July 25, 2011, a SWAT team went to Grant’s parent’s home, and arrested the couple. Grant and Amanda both revoked their rights and asked for attorneys.
The police collected more evidence. On July 19, Grant had purchased gallons of acid at Home Depot. Amanda was spotted on surveillance near her sister’s home, discarding the remaining acid.
It’s believed that Laura went to the Hayes’ apartment on July 13. Grant had asked her about the custody offer, but Laura rejected it. A fight leading to Laura’s death occurred, and the couple thought getting rid of her body would solve all of their problems.
On September 16, 2013, Grant Hayes was convicted of first degree murder. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
During Amanda’s trial, her defense was that she was afraid of Grant, and that he forced her to help. However, the surveillance of her getting rid of the acid proved she wasn’t under duress.
On February 18, 2014, Amanda was found guilty of second degree murder. She was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
4 years later, on August 21, 2018, a Texas court found Amanda guilty of tampering with a corpse. She was sentenced to an additional 2o years.
Grant and Amanda have since divorced.
Grant and Amanda Hayes
FINAL THOUGHTS
This is a sickening case. How two people can murder, dismember, discard, and talk so freely about a dead person is disgusting. Also, they had the two young boys with them, while their mom’s body was in some fucking coolers. It’s gross. Grant and Amanda are horrible, and they deserve to rot.
Laura did everything she could for her sons, and fought to get custody of them. Now, the boys don’t have their mom, dad, or step-mom.
Sources
https://www.chillingcrimes.com/blogs/news/laura-ackerson
https://www.wral.com/news/local/asset_gallery/9925558/
https://thecinemaholic.com/laura-ackerson-murder-where-are-amanda-and-grant-hayes-now/
