The Murders of Forrest Ison and Alice Stevens
For this case I watched an episode of On the Case with Paula Zahn. It’s season 21 episode 2, titled ‘A Murder in Thunderbolt.’
A young couple is found killed right outside their front door.
Forrest Ison and Alice Stevens
Background
Forrest Ison originally wanted to become a chemical engineer, but soon changed his mind and wanted to go to culinary school. He graduated from the G.T.C.C culinary school, and was even featured in several magazines for up and coming chefs. At the time of his death, he worked at Brasseries 529 restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. This is where he met his girlfriend Alice, who worked as a hostess. Alice was described as beautiful inside and out, athletic and had a passion for photography. She attended the Savannah College of Art and Design.
The Murders
On November 3, 2013, Alice and Forrest returned home from a night out. Around 11:42pm, a 911 call came in from their neighbor. The caller said he had just heard about five to six gun shots. He told the dispatcher that he was going to go outside to check what was going on. He hung up, and called back and said his neighbor had been shot.
The Thunderbolt police chief Bob Merriman arrived at the scene. The couple was found on their porch landing and staircase. Forrest was pronounced dead immediately, and Alice died on her way to the hospital. It was a brutal and personal attack, as they were shot at close range.
There was also no sign of robbery. Alice’s purse was still at the scene, the car was still there and there was no forced entry into the home. The car keys were also found nearby in the grass. There were also shell casings from a .45 caliber handgun.
The police were able to positively identify the victims when a witness confirmed it was them. They now had to tell the families of both Forrest and Alice. They were shocked to learn their loved ones had been shot, and couldn’t think of anyone who would want them dead.
The Neighbor
The first suspect in this case was the 911 caller, a man named Chris. According to other witnesses, Chris and Forrest had gotten into several disputes before. The police asked Chris about this, and he admitted that they had issues. He agreed to come to the station for further questioning.
The police asked Chris to go over his story again. He told them that he went outside to talk his dog for a walk, and heard several gunshots. He then heard screams, and a car pulling away. He then called the police again when he saw two black men running away from the scene. He said he chased them, but one of them saw him and made a shooting a gun motion at him. He said he hid behind a tree until they left.
The police looked further into Chris, and discovered he had a registered .45 caliber handgun. However, Chris had pawned his gun before the murders occurred and he was not in possession of it. He was eliminated.
A Personal Attack
The medical examiner confirmed to the police that Forrest and Alice most likely knew their killer. The gun shot wounds were very close range, and were to the body and face. The police also realized that there was a possibility of two killers and two guns, after a .22 caliber bullet was found in Forrest’s head.
The police went through Forrest and Alice’s personal things, phone records and financial statements. They were able to track where Alice and Forrest went during their last night alive. They had been in downtown Savannah for dinner and drinks, and went to River Street, before going home.
At 11:26pm, they stopped at a convince store. This was just minutes before the 911 call, and the police believed that the killers waited in the abandoned lot across from the couple’s home.
Months passed, there were no new suspects or evidence. Chief Merriman decided to talk to witnesses and friends again, and discovered a possible motive.
A Revenge Killing
The police were told by one of Forrest and Alice’s co-workers that months before the murders, Forrest fired a line cook named Nate Wilkins. Nate was fired for messing up a signature dish. From what other employees said, as well as the restaurant owner, the firing was no big deal. Forrest even helped Nate get another job, and they were on friendly terms.
Chief Merriman never heard Nate Wilkins’ name in the investigation, but did remember an anonymous call about who two men named Nate and Mike. The caller said these two men had been bragging about the murders. The caller gave an address where the two lived, but this area didn’t exist.
The police ran Nate’s background, and discovered he had a criminal history, including a charge for assault. The police went to Blowing Smoke, the restaurant where Nate worked. He wasn’t there, but a co-worker of his gave police his address and a description of the car he drove.
The police eventually found Nate at his home. He was cooperative, and agreed to be questioned. The police asked him about his relationship with Forrest. He said they were friendly, but admitted he was fired by him, and wouldn’t kill him over that.
A warrant was obtained for Nate’s home, and inside, a stolen .22 caliber handgun was found. Nate was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm. When it was tested, it was not a match to the crime scene. However, the police believed they had their man and murder weapon.
Arrests and Convictions
After Nate was arrested, his sister Gloria came forward. She said Nate killed Forrest and Alice. She also said her sister Tracey Burgess had been the getaway driver that night. Gloria agreed to wear a wire to get her sister on tape confessing.
After the police got the confession they needed, the police confronted Tracy. Tracy denied it, but broke down after she was arrested. She said she was the getaway driver, and that her boyfriend Mike Jones was the second shooter. Tracey said she had no idea that Mike and Nate were going to the kill them, but only rob them. She said she drove away as soon as she heard gunshots, but Mike and Nate ran after her. Nate then threatened that he’d kill her if she told anyone.
The police found Mike Jones at a hotel about 30 miles away from Thunderbolt. He was arrested, but denied having anything to do with it.
Tracey was given a 10 year deal, and agreed to testify.
In 2016, Mike Jones was convicted on two counts of malice murder. He was sentenced to two consecutive life terms.
In 2018, Nate Wilkins went on trial. Tracey testified, and so did Mike, but he refused to answer any questions. Nate was also convicted of malice murder. He was sentenced to two consecutive life terms.
Nate Wilkins and Mike Jones
Other
Alice’s brother Edwin is a documentary filmmaker, and created the documentary ‘Alice is Still Dead,’ about his sister’s case.
FINAL THOUGHTS
SO many lives were ruined because a man was fired from his job. People get fired everyday, and they don’t go around shooting people. Well, some do, but it’s heartbreaking. Forrest and Alice were in their 20s, and had their whole lives ahead of them. They were taken away for no reason, and their killers have never showed any ounce of remorse. They deserve to rot in prison.
Sources
https://thecinemaholic.com/forrest-ison-and-alice-stevens-murder/
https://www.savannahnow.com/article/20160513/NEWS/305139867
