Disappearance of Marsha Brantley

Marsha Ellen Brantley (nee Rader), born February 28, 1959, was an American woman who disappeared around May to June 2009. She is widely believed to have been murdered by her then-husband Donnie Brantley, but no direct evidence has ever been found to prove this. Multiple investigations have failed to determine a cause of disappearance. The case was featured in an April 2018 episode of the CBS documentary show 48 Hours.[1]

Marsha Brantley
Born
Marsha Ellen Rader

(1959-02-28) February 28, 1959
Disappearedc. May–July 2009
Cleveland, Tennessee, United States
StatusMissing for 11 years, 1 month and 8 days
NationalityAmerican
Spouse(s)Donnie Brantley

Background

Marsha Brantley was originally from Illinois. At the time of her disappearance she lived in Cleveland, Tennessee. She married Donnie Brantley on March 28, 2000. She was an amateur writer, and was fond of her dogs and outdoor activities. She was also a former director of housing at Lee University. Friends and family members reported that Brantley suffered from depression.[2]

Disappearance

In late 2008, friends began to suspect that Brantley's marriage was struggling despite what she had claimed. In March 2009, friends reported that Brantley said that she was "so depressed she couldn't get off the couch." In July or August 2009, one of Brantley's neighbors reported that she had not seen Brantley for a long time and apparently had not been doing her regular activities. Shortly thereafter, Brantley's hairdresser inquired to Donnie Brantley about Marsha Brantley's whereabouts and was told that she had left and that they were divorcing.[2]

Investigation

In 2009, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation began investigating the case. Donnie Brantley later told authorities that Marsha Brantley had voluntary left them, but a search of her home determined that her car, cell phone, clothes and many of her other valuable belongings had been left behind. Investigators determined from cell phone records that Brantley most likely disappeared around June 2, 2009, possibly as late as July. In 2011, the Bradley County Sheriff's Office became involved, and in November 2012, the Brantley's home was searched again, this time with cadaver dogs.[3]

In July 2013, a grand jury indicted Donnie Brantley for the murder of his wife. In August 2013 Donnie Brantley was arrested and charged with murder.[4] The charges were dismissed in May 2014 due to lack of evidence.[5] In October 2016, Brantley was again arrested in Kingston, Georgia.[6] He was charged for the murder in December 2016.[7] The charges were dropped again in February 2018 due to lack of evidence.[8]

Aftermath

An episode of the CBS series 48 Hours documenting the case, titled "Missing Marsha", debuted on April 7, 2018. The episode cites financial incentives as a possible motive for Brantley's murder.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Missing Marsha". 48 Hours. Season 30. Episode 22. April 7, 2018. CBS. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  2. Hughes, Rosana (April 7, 2018). "Nearly 9 years later: What happened to Marsha Brantley?". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  3. Bradbury, Shelley (November 18, 2012). "Bradley County officers search basement for missing woman". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  4. "Family relieved by Cleveland murder arrest". WSMV. Nashville, Tennessee. August 26, 2013. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  5. "Bradley Co murder charge dropped against accused husband". WRCB-TV. Chattanooga, Tennessee. May 13, 2014. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  6. "Husband of missing woman arrested in Ga". WCBY. Bristol, Virginia. October 2016. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  7. Graves, Brian (December 13, 2016). "Brantley arrest is confirmed". Cleveland Daily Banner. Cleveland, Tennessee. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  8. Graves, Brian (February 6, 2018). "DA drops charges against Donnie Brantley". Cleveland Daily Banner. Cleveland, Tennessee. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
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