Jury hands down verdict in Tammy Moorer kidnapping case

After five years and three trials, Heather Elvis’ family experienced a brief moment of joy on Tuesday when a jury convicted Tammy Moorer of kidnapping Elvis in December 2013.

But, Elvis’ family knows the verdict doesn’t mean the case, or her story, is closed.

“She knows where Heather is. She knows what happened to Heather,” said Debbi Elvis, Heather’s mother. “She needs to tell what happened to Heather.”

The Horry County jury reached its decision around lunchtime Tuesday after four hours of deliberation following 10 days of testimony. Moorer faced conspiracy and kidnapping charges for her role in Elvis’ disappearance.

Judge Benjamin Culbertson sentenced Moorer to 30 years on both counts and ordered the sentences be served at the same time.

State solicitors said Tammy Moorer grew jealous and angry over an affair between her husband, Sidney, and Elvis. On Dec. 18, 2013, the two kidnapped Elvis from Peachtree Landing, they said. Elvis has not been found.

Roughly 40 witnesses testified during the trial, including experts, Elvis’ friends and Tammy Moorer in her defense.

There was a gasp in the packed courtroom Tuesday as the court clerk announced “guilty” on both counts.

Tammy Moorer showed little emotion and stared ahead as the clerk read the verdict. During a recess before sentencing, Tammy Moorer hugged her children, rubbing Nikki Moorer’s back as she consoled the two.

Tammy Moorer was immediately taken to custody after her sentencing.

Elvis’ family softly wept and held hands as the clerk delivered the verdict. Many wore turquoise clothing in honor of Elvis’ favorite color. Following the sentencing, many friends and family left with smiles beaming from their faces.

The hope is Tuesday’s verdict will lead to more information in the case, including details about Heather’s whereabouts, Debbi Elvis said.

“She was living a beautiful life, before this woman took it from her,” Heather’s mom said.

Timeline of the crime

Solicitors said Tammy Moorer grew angry over Sidney Moorer’s and Elvis’ affair, and in November 2013, sent hostile texts about Heather Elvis to family and friends.

Officials believe Tammy and Sidney Moorer drove to Heather Elvis’ work and apartment on Dec. 17 looking for her. They stopped at a Walmart and bought a pregnancy test — which the state said was for Heather Elvis. Sidney then made a call from a payphone, and the Moorers lured Elvis to the Peachtree Landing area, officials said.

Cellphones for Sidney and Tammy Moorer and Heather Elvis were tracked to the Socastee area.

At 3:17 a.m. on Dec. 18, 2013, Heather Elvis called Sidney, and the two spoke for four minutes. Tammy Moorer testified that she didn’t think anything of the call and went to work on a computer. She insisted she and Sidney never left the house after that phone call.

Tammy Moorer also maintained she never met Elvis. The state contended the Moorers lured Elvis to Peachtree Landing around 3:30 a.m. That’s when, they say, the Moorers kidnapped her.

Sidney Moorer also was charged with conspiracy and kidnapping. A jury in a previous trial deadlocked on those charges, and he has not been retried.

He was found guilty of obstruction of justice related to the investigation into Elvis’ disappearance, and a judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

‘They stole her life’

Tammy Moorer — who said the state’s evidence was wrong and several times discussed the hardship she has endured over the last five years — immediately shifted blame to her attorneys.

“I never felt comfortable with him,” Tammy Moorer said.

The Moorer family immediately left the courtroom after the proceedings.

Elvis’ mom, dad and sister spoke during the sentencing, where each asked for the maximum sentence.

“They had to disparage her and shame her in the public eye afterwards,” Debbi Elvis said of posts on social media by Moorer and her supporters.

Heather’s sister, Morgan, described the past five years as a “living hell.”

“Five years later, they are still holding her hostage,” Morgan Elvis said. “They stole her life, and they ruined ours.”

After the courtroom emptied, Elvis’ family and friends laughed and hugged in a waiting room. They also spoke to the media that gathered. Terry Elvis, Heather’s father, expressed some disappointment with the sentences running at the same time instead of back-to-back.

The family said there was only a brief moment of joy Tuesday because Sidney Moorer’s trial looms.

“Part of Heather is always in the way, even when she’s not here,” Morgan Elvis said.

Morgan Elvis said she would tell Tammy Moorer, “take that!”

“(Heather) would enjoy the fact we got to see Tammy squirm, we got to see her break,” Morgan Elvis said. “We got to see her uncomfortable and cornered because she did something wrong to her. She would feel like she got her day.”

This story was originally published October 23, 2018 at 1:19 PM.