Mike Williams, a successful 31-year-old real estate appraiser, went missing in Florida after a duck hunting trip in 2000. His disappearance sparked a massive search effort, but no trace of him was found. The search was called off after 44 days, and he was listed as “still missing.” One theory suggested that he was eaten by alligators, but his mother, Cheryl Williams, never believed this explanation. She spent nine years contacting wildlife experts and compiling evidence to prove that alligators do not feed in cold winter months, casting doubt on the alligator theory.
Six months after Mike disappeared, a local fisherman found a pair of waders in Lake Seminole, and two days later, his fishing jacket, hunting license, and flashlight were found at the same spot. Despite these discoveries, Mike’s mother was determined to find out the truth about her son’s disappearance. She wrote letters to the governor of Florida every day for nine years, determined to uncover what really happened to Mike.
Years later, a breakthrough came when Mike’s best friend, Brian Winchester, confessed to kidnapping his estranged wife, Denise, at gunpoint. Brian confessed to killing Mike by pushing him into the water and shooting him in the face with a shotgun. He led investigators to Mike’s body, which was found at a remote location near Carr Lake, not Lake Seminole. Brian’s confession implicated Denise in the murder, alleging that she wanted to be seen as a widow rather than a divorcee and that they could collect insurance money together.
Denise was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and accessory after the fact. Her trial revealed shocking details of the case, including Brian and Denise’s affair, the elaborate cover-up of Mike’s murder, and Denise’s stoic demeanor throughout the investigation. Despite her claims of innocence, Denise was found guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, first-degree murder, and accessory after the fact.
For Cheryl Williams, Mike’s mother, the verdict brought closure after an 18-year fight for justice for her son. While Denise’s murder conviction was later overturned and she was resentenced to 30 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder, the truth about Mike’s tragic death was finally revealed. The case serves as a reminder of the lengths a determined mother went to in search of justice and the shocking betrayal that led to a young man’s senseless death.
