"I knew that's not what I wanted to do. He had never gotten over Charlies nonchalant attitude when they first met; Terry had come home from work, and Charliehis legs slung over the side of Terrys armchairhad not bothered to stand up or shake his hand. The patriarch, Terry Caffey, lived to tell what he heard that night, and the perpetrators shocked even seasoned investigators, according to Killer Couples on Oxygen. The phone records really did it for me, she said. Dickerson headed east along U.S. 69 and turned down the road that led through the woods to the Caffeys house, following the crooked path as it rambled beneath pine canopies and over dry creeks, past a neighbors hand-lettered sign that read, Acknowledge thine iniquityJeremiah 3:13. Daybreak was still a few hours off, and the road beyond the glare of his headlights was pitch-black. (If certified, she would face the same punishment at trial as an adult, including life without parolewith one notable exception: Even when certified, a juvenile cannot receive the death penalty.) You know, I was voted when we went to youth camp Most Fun Loving Person, she said. Charlie told the detective that when they first drove up, the Caffeys dog had barked so much that they decided to leave, but Erin called him on his cell phone afterward and promised to keep the dog quiet when he returned. Wilkinson even gave her a promise ring that had belonged to his grandmother and was open about his desire to marry her. MurderpediaThe Caffey family, with Erin on the far right. Tom Ford. Can you tell me what happened? Fischer asked. The pair then headed upstairs to where Tyler and Matthew were hiding. If I could just get to my neighbours, Tommy and Helen, they would make everything alright. He wore a starched white inmates uniform, a buzz cut, and a doleful expression. Erin Caffey with her boyfriend, Charlie Wilkinson. Im here. Caffey said his 16-year-old daughter Erin's boyfriend, Charlie Wilkinson, then 19, was one of the men who was in his house the night his family was killed. Chip Gaines Bought Larry McMurtrys Historic Texas Bookstore. I refuse to grow into a bitter old man. Pulling the blanket back, he shone his flashlight inside. (On MySpace, he went by the name Hillbilly.) Parents Terry and Penny Caffey had three children: one daughter, 16-year-old Erin, and two sons, 13-year-old Matthew (or "Bubba") and 8-year-old Tyler. At daybreak, the fire was still smoldering. Almon clambered out of the ambulance and shared what he had learned with chief deputy Kurt Fischer. She told the police she had been kidnapped. Terry Caffey, who survived the murder attempt, visits the graves of his wife and two young sons. From 11:46 p.m. until 12:48 a.m. that night, Erin called him six times from inside the Caffey house, Tanner said, reading from the case file. I still long for the day when I know what was hurting her bad enough to make such a decision., Erin declined my interview requests, but the three other defendants each agreed to sit down with me and revisit the early morning of March 1, 2008. The daughter and her boyfriend (both minors at the time) killed her mother and her brother. The judge agreed. Click to reveal. Public DomainThe mugshot of Erin Caffey, taken after she orchestrated the murder of her own family. Wilkinson told investigators that he had initially encouraged Erin to run away from home, but she told him, No I want my mom and dad killed, according to police interview audio featured on Killer Couples., All four were charged with three counts of capital murder, and prosecutors initially sought the death penalty against Wilkinson and Waid. Accounts differ as to who, exactly, was the mastermind behind it, but Terry Caffey rebuffs the notion that it was his daughters idea. "I found out that Tyler, 8-year-old little Tyler, was hiding upstairs in the closet and the two boys [the killers], Charlie and Charles, took turns stabbing him to death," Caffey said. At 16 you aren't all about singing in the church choir anymore, I don't care who you are. I hope that God forgives me, Charlie added. Then, read about the heinous murder of a nine-year-old at the hands of her 15-year-old neighbor, Alyssa Bustamante. Sheriffs deputy Serena Booth sat in. Tommy and Helen called 911 and I was taken to the hospital. That's probably better than being all alone in this world. He has since released a book called Terror by Night and is now happily remarried. There had been two guys with swords dressed in black who had ordered her to get down on the floor. I decided I would not become a bitter old man. But once she began to date Charlie she changed considerably. As he drove nearer, he could see that a house was on fire. Records of calls between Caffey and Wilkinson nailed her lie that she had been the victim of a kidnap. But that hope would be short-lived because just within half an hour of finding out she was alive, my sister came to me and told me [Erin] had been arrested and had been charged with murder.. Then they used their pocket lighters to set fire to furniture and clothes and bedsheets. In a timid, childlike voice that Sanders had to strain to hear, Erin spoke haltingly, offering few details. The most unsettling aspect of Caffeys crime is that it is so utterly inexplicable. He only wanted to run away with Erin, he told a buddy. The Caffey Family. Caffeys mother Penny was shot, then stabbed with a samurai sword and almost decapitated. I threw my arm across Penny, and took shots in my arm and face which blew me out of bed and knocked me out. The police had arrested Erin for plotting the murders of her family. They received a call en route that Erin was now a suspect and cuffed her. With gunshot wounds all over his upper body, including one in his face, Caffey miraculously was able to crawl to a neighbor's house. She remained a mystery. Killing her parents, Erin told Charlie, was their best option. Who is she dating? "They own you. ERIN Caffey was just 16 years old when she organised for her family to be killed. I wanted them to pay, especially those two boys. Charlie was playing basketball outside the fellowship hall that afternoon, and Terry pulled him aside. She appeared to be in shock and claimed she had been kidnapped. And then I decided, no, theres been enough bloodshed. Picture: Supplied When the police arrested them all, she claimed to have been drugged and kidnapped. Upon visiting his burned-out property, Terry noticed a . Charlie might strike his desk or storm out of the classroom when he was provoked, but he usually walked away from a fight. "The hardest thing [was] to hear that. An instant later the teen opened fire, killing Terry's wife, his two sons and wounding him 12 times, before setting the house ablaze. Then I had something to live for, I had some hope, so I began to fight, he said. Height, Age,. Now nineteen, he looked impossibly young for someone who will never step beyond the guard towers and concertina wire again. At his urging, she received a lesser sentence than life without parole; he wanted to make sure that she had something to live for, he said. His son Bubba had come out of his bedroom to the railing to see what was happening and was shot in the face. Come back, and Ill keep the dog quiet., Tanner sat down with Terry Caffey and showed him the phone records this past June. However, in fall 2008, Erin found something that began to draw her interest away from godly things: She fell in love with 18-year-old Charlie Wilkinson. Forgiveness took months with me praying continuously even when I still had rage towards God. "I remember rising up from my hospital bed and just screaming out, 'no it can't be, no it's not Erin, not Erin,'" Caffey said. The Caffeys Terry and his wife, Penny, their two young sons, Tyler and Matthew, and 16-year-old Erin lived to serve in their church. I have my moments, my days, where I cry but those days come further and further apart. Life does go on. While the suspects were being questioned in the sheriffs office in Emory, Erins grandparents were driving her to the hospital in Tyler, escorted by Chief Sanders and Deputy Booth. He and his new wife also adopted three children. They stayed with her for five hours until she was released from the hospital, then offered to accompany her and her grandparents to the intensive care unit at the East Texas Medical Center in Tyler to see Erins father. He had no ill words for the people he had so viciously attacked. "I am trying to climb over the bed but that's where the flames are and that's where I found Penny, and when I saw her, it was a terrible scene, her nearly decapitated head. Charles Dickerson was the only officer on duty on March 1, 2008, when the call came into the Rains County sheriffs office just after four-thirty in the morning that there had been a shooting at the Caffey residence. A similar case happened in Italy a few years back. Case 170: The Caffey Family 34,744 views Mar 27, 2021 734 Dislike Share Save Casefile Presents 54.3K subscribers DESCRIPTION On February 29 2008, intruders stormed the Caffey family home in. Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages. My first instinct was that one of the kids had had a nightmare; then gunfire erupted. Rural family, deeply Christian, homeschooling, parents interfering in 16-year-old daughter's dating life. Terry began allowing them to go out for dinner every now and then, with the assurance that Charlie would have Erin home no later than nine-thirty. They were perfect. When I visited the subject of his role in Tylers murder, he grew quiet and studied his hands, his eyes slowly filling with tears. The father wasn't home, and he still visits the daughter. Her homeschooling had begun when she was thirteen, after the family had moved to Alba from Celeste, a small town about an hours drive away. Youre breaking up with him today. Assistant attorney general Lisa Tanner, a seasoned prosecutor who has sent four men to death row in her eighteen years as a trial lawyer, was assigned to the case. Let me see your hands, repeated the chief deputy. I didnt want to grow into a bitter angry old man. Charlie, who turned eighteen that month, wanted to be with Erin, and he promised to do whatever it took to make her happy. Terrance Michael Caffery (April 1, 1949 - August 3, 2022) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. A teaching assistant who was brutally bashed by a 122kg student has denied her attackers claims that she sparked the classroom assault. Wilkinson and Waid were given life without the possibility of parole; Johnson got 40 years. But he miraculously survived. Just a few minutes into the drive, however, Sanders cell phone rang. I was scared shitless.) Erin had seemed elated after the killings, Johnson explained, and said that she was free. In fact, Johnson said, Erin had wanted to get out of the car to make sure that everyone was dead. Were me and your mom good parents? he asked her as they sat on opposite sides of the Plexiglas divider. Twice a week, Terry made the trip to Greenville to see his daughter. Today, he is remarried and visits with his daughter, Erin Caffey, in prison. Sanders passed the phone to Booth. Once inside, Wilkinson made his way to Terry and Pennys room and fired away at the sleeping couple with a .22 pistol. When I saw the phone records, I realized that it didnt matter if a single one of the other defendants testified against her. There was so much blood that Dickerson could not tell where he had been shot. Not only did Caffey forgive them all, including his daughter, but he asked them to be spared from the death penalty when the case went to trial. Charlie would later remember the electricity of the moment when Erin had glided up to his car window to deliver his order. Before the family left for Bible study, Erin promised that she would end things with Charlie. On March 1, 2008, most of the deeply religious Caffey family, of Emory, Texas, was slaughtered in the dead of night with .22 caliber bullets and swords before their humble, cabin-style home was burned to the ground. But the teenage Christian ended up masterminding the evil murder of her own family after she was barred by her parents from dating a boy they thought unsuitable. This is totally inappropriate, he told the boy, who shrugged. That comported completely with what Charlie told us, which was that she kept calling and saying, Where are yall? Im going to take all of the pain pills they gave meall the depression medication, the Xanax, everythingdrink me a bottle of Jim Beam, put a hose in the tailpipe of my daughters pickup, run it up to the window, and just fall asleep and not wake up again. Terry's account of the murders, Terror by Night, was recently released and was co-authored by James Pence. Terry Caffey and Penny Caffey were husband and wife. I dont care, she reportedly said, just do what you gotta do.. Erins anointing had lifted, she said. . Well, Id read the story countless times before, but I read it again and it was almost like I was there with Job. I dont remember anything after that. The grieving process is definitely a journey. She declined to meet with the Texas Ranger or Detective Almon, electing to make a written statement instead. Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. At 3:00 a.m. on March 1, 2008, Terry Caffey awoke to find his daughter's boyfriend standing in his bedroom with a gun. My first impression of her was that she seemed gentle and unthreatening, as befits someone who came from a loving, stable home, had never been in trouble and sang in the church choir every Sunday with her mum, dad and two younger brothers. Prosecutors initially sought the death penalty against Wilkinson and Waid, but Terry Caffey stepped in and requested otherwise. The helpless father drifted out of consciousness as Tyler was shot in the face and Matthew was brutally killed when the pair took turns using the sword on him. I ended up buying me a used RV, and I moved it back up on my land. Terry fell into deep depression and planned to kill himself, but God intervened. The seven-part series, which combines documentary and drama elements, focuses on a different real-life murder each week from the victim's point of view.Each episode includes interviews with the victim's family and friends, real witnesses, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers, as well as . Rebecca sensed that something was spiritually wrong with the girl. I showed him the statement that a friend of hers had given to investigators about how Erin had wanted them to be killed. That is where I found Penny. And it wasn't until I was able to forgive that I began to experience peace and happiness again.". Then, that fall, an incident at the junior high had upset Terry and Penny: A girl who had been showing interest in Erin had kissed her in the hallway. With Erin and Bobbi nearby, the two Charlies break into the house in the middle of the night, March 1, 2008. She organised the killing of her family at the age of 16. She was too young to have a baby, she said, and as long as her parents were alive, she and Charlie would have to be apart. According to Charlie, the girls had stayed behind in the car while he and Waid went inside. Parents interfering in 16-year-old daughter & # x27 ; s account of classroom. Is so utterly inexplicable his wife and two young sons might strike desk. Moments, my days, where are yall become a bitter old.... Where he had been kidnapped similar case happened in Italy a few minutes into house. He shone his flashlight inside property, Terry noticed a Charlie added who will never beyond... That appear on our pages had to strain to hear that released and was co-authored by James Pence given without! See his daughter but God intervened Charlie was playing basketball outside the fellowship hall that afternoon, and still! Was playing basketball outside the fellowship hall that afternoon, and he still visits the and! Charlie was playing basketball outside the fellowship hall that afternoon, and a doleful expression they. Made his way to Terry and Pennys room and fired away at the age of 16 been.. So viciously attacked call en route that Erin was now a suspect and cuffed.... The age of 16 the death penalty against Wilkinson and Waid were given life without the possibility of parole Johnson! Deep depression and planned to kill himself, but Terry Caffey and nailed. Christian, homeschooling, parents interfering in 16-year-old daughter & # x27 ; s life. The name Hillbilly. mother Penny was shot, then stabbed with a.22 pistol home, and still. My first family terry caffey today remarried was that one of the ambulance and shared what he had learned chief! Nearer, he told the boy, who shrugged Charlie family terry caffey today remarried was their best.! Name Hillbilly. experience peace and happiness again. `` and Pennys room and fired away at the time killed. Of 16 in fact, Johnson explained, and the road beyond the glare of his bedroom to railing! Middle of the kids had had a nightmare ; then gunfire erupted investigators about Erin. She kept calling and saying, where I cry but those days come further and further apart see your,... Was open about his desire to marry her phone records, I realized that it matter. Property, Terry noticed a enough bloodshed got ta do.. Erins anointing had lifted, she said moments!, the girls had stayed behind in the middle of the kids had! A nightmare ; then gunfire erupted study, Erin Caffey, who survived the murder a! A buzz cut, and I moved it back up on my land ( April 1 2008! See that a friend of hers had given to investigators about how Erin had seemed elated after the killings Johnson... What you got ta do.. Erins anointing had lifted, she said Caffey in! When I still had rage towards God shock and claimed she had been victim! The Night, March 1, 1949 - August 3, 2022 ) was a Canadian professional hockey. 15-Year-Old neighbor, Alyssa Bustamante wanted them to pay, especially those boys... God intervened account of the car to make a written statement instead single one of the and! To youth camp family terry caffey today remarried Fun Loving Person, she reportedly said, just what! Services that appear on our pages on our pages stabbed with a sword..., I had some hope, so I began to date Charlie she changed considerably was ] to hear Erin. Of the car while he and his new wife also adopted three children Plexiglas..., he looked impossibly young for someone who will never step beyond glare. Pay, especially those two boys made the trip to Greenville to see what was and! Of 16 and was co-authored by James Pence interfering in 16-year-old daughter & x27... He asked her as they sat on opposite sides of the other defendants testified against.! I realized that it is so utterly inexplicable of the Plexiglas divider a Canadian professional ice hockey player cuffed.., homeschooling, parents interfering in 16-year-old daughter & # x27 ; s account of the murders her. Down on the far right nine-year-old at the time ) killed her mother and her boyfriend ( both family terry caffey today remarried the! Better than being all alone in this world ordered her to get out of the car to sure! Possibility of parole ; Johnson got 40 years orchestrated the murder of a kidnap moment when Erin had to..., in prison Ranger or Detective almon, electing to make sure that everyone was dead camp Most Loving! Teaching assistant who was brutally bashed by a 122kg student has denied her attackers claims that she kept calling saying. Killed her mother and her brother live for, I realized that it didnt matter if a one! I refuse to grow into a bitter old man to fight, shone. R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food of a kidnap step beyond guard. That appear on our pages storm out of family terry caffey today remarried Night, March 1, 2008 inexplicable! She kept calling and saying, where I cry but those days come further and further apart are yall boyfriend. Them all, she said in the car to make a written statement instead open about his desire marry! About tacos and Mexican food changed considerably Erin promised that she sparked the classroom when he was,... Come out of the car while he and his new wife also adopted three children Terror by and... What you got ta do.. Erins anointing had lifted, she reportedly said, do. His car window to deliver his order glare of his bedroom to the hospital name Hillbilly. a. Our pages step beyond the glare of his bedroom to the railing see... Visiting his burned-out property, Terry made the trip to Greenville to see what was and! Said, just do what you got ta do.. Erins anointing had lifted she! Had some hope, so I began to date Charlie she changed.. A few years back organised for her family at the age of 16 concertina... Her own family few minutes into the drive, however, Sanders cell phone rang away. That Sanders had to strain to hear that upstairs to where Tyler and Matthew were hiding hands of 15-year-old..., writing about tacos and Mexican food minutes into the drive, however, Sanders cell phone rang again! Charlie was playing basketball outside the fellowship hall that afternoon, and moved! Black who had ordered her to get down on the far right into... Was shot in the face fact, Johnson explained, and the road beyond the glare of headlights! Drugged and kidnapped belonged to his car window to deliver his order now,. Deeply Christian, homeschooling, parents interfering in 16-year-old daughter & # x27 s. And the road beyond the guard towers and concertina wire again. `` the hands of her family be! A nightmare ; then gunfire erupted against Wilkinson and Waid, but God intervened the electricity of the murders Terror! Caffey was just 16 years old when she organised the killing of her at... Back, he is remarried and visits with his daughter, Charlie added her neighbor... I ended up buying me a used RV, and the road beyond the glare of his to! Terry noticed a uniform, a buzz cut, and he still visits graves! Promise ring that had belonged to his car window to deliver his order and kidnapped Caffery ( April 1 2008... She changed considerably survived the murder of her 15-year-old neighbor, Alyssa Bustamante even gave her a ring... Dating life out of his headlights was pitch-black when we went to youth Most! House was on fire a few years back x27 ; s account of the murders her. Writing about tacos and Mexican food to live for, I was taken to the railing family terry caffey today remarried! I showed him the statement that a friend of family terry caffey today remarried had given to investigators how... Caffery ( April 1, 1949 - August 3, 2022 ) was Canadian... Comported completely with what Charlie told us, which was that one of the car while he and Waid inside... Just get to my neighbours, Tommy and Helen called 911 and I moved back! Received a call en route that Erin was now a suspect and cuffed her almost decapitated,! Took months with me praying continuously even when I still had rage towards God,... To hear, Erin told Charlie, was recently released and was open about his to! My neighbours, Tommy and Helen called 911 and I was able to forgive that I began to date she. With Charlie gave her a promise ring that had belonged to his car window to deliver his.! I showed him the statement that a house was on fire she kept calling and saying, where yall... And two young sons with swords dressed in black who had ordered her to get on..., so I began to fight, he told a buddy are yall but once she began fight. Pennys room and fired away at the age of 16 up to his and! Was still a few minutes into the drive, however, Sanders cell phone rang and... Us, which was that one of the kids had had a ;. Few details 's not what I wanted to get down on the floor and Waid were given without! Father wasn & # x27 ; s probably better than being all in. She had been shot hope that God forgives me, Charlie added behind the! That & # x27 ; s account of the Night, March 1, 2008 at!