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Subscribe to RSSRead the reflections of Jay Young, the Dateline NBC producer of 'The Mystery at Heath Bar Farm' from November 18th, 2011. You can always keep the conversation going with our producers on Twitter: @DatelineNBCProd
Hi, my name is: Jay Young
I've been a news producer for: almost 20 years
When I first came across this story, I thought to myself: My introduction to this story came with the reading of Dar Foley’s poignant and remarkable obituary. I was struck by the tremendous impact she had on her community and her family, and by the number of people who had been touched by her loss. She seemed like a really neat person. I wish had the chance to meet her.
My inspirations in telling this story: I’d have to say, once again, Dar Foley. Because of Dar, I wanted to get this story right. I was motivated throughout this lengthy and often stressful process by the hope that if Dar could watch the report, she’d give it her seal of approval.
Something I won’t forget about Coldwater, Michigan: The people. Hands down. Obviously this was an extraordinarily tragic story. And when I arrived on the scene, the residents of Coldwater had been living with it for over two years. They had already been through one trial and were bracing for a second. But despite all this, the people of Coldwater couldn’t have been nicer… from the courthouse staff to the wonderful folks behind the counter at the local coffee shop, to the innkeeper that made for us a home away from home.
The residents of Coldwater had very strong opinions about the Tom Foley’s guilt or innocence and they were willing to share those opinions with me. They seemed to appreciate how I was trying to tell both sides of this very divisive story fairly and accurately and they bent over backwards to help me achieve that goal.
The most memorable words I heard: The words coming from the jury. I had absolutely no clue what the outcome of the trial would be.
The most admirable person I met along the way: Dar and Tom Foley’s twelve year old son, Heath. I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person but I was there to hear him testify. My heart goes out to him. He is an extraordinary young man who handled himself in court with tremendous maturity. I wish him all the best.
The most striking image I saw: Those horrific crime scene photos. I will say no more.
What still surprises me about this story: Again, the outcome of the trial. It also reminds me of how fragile life is and how it can change dramatically in an instant - both for better and for worse. I am also still surprised by how much this dyed-in-the wool New Yorker wanted to live in Coldwater!
Biggest challenge while doing this story: Trying to find a way to tell this extremely complicated story, involving not one but two trials, in an hour -long program . If I had two hours with which to tell it, I’d still fall short.
In a word, this is really a Dateline story about: Perseverance.
Last but not least, I wish: I wish Heath Foley and all those that loved and continue to love Dar Foley the strength to heal.
Leave a Comment:
After watching the story, I believe Tom is innocent for not enough evidence was presented to convict him. Tom Foley needs to see a medium, a true medium. The sessions are tape recorded so when Dar comes through the medium will reveal the thruth of what happened to Dar, then we will all know the truth.
After watching the show, I don't believe Tom Foley is guilty, not enough evidence aginst him. Tom Foley should see a medium, a true medium. When Dar comes through the medium will reveal the truth about her death, then everyone will know.
One thing that keeps bothering me about the Tom Foley case is whether or not the police considered Tom fired the shotgun shell without a shotgun. Buying a shotgun and a box of shells would send up red flags, but he could swipe a few shells and, without a gun, the shells would be circumstantial. He could discharge the shell at close range with a hammer strike to the firing pin and a pipe to concentrate the shot.
Guilty!! sooo many things i could point out just in his horrid behavior. Also what did they have of value in that house? it was staged. As for shells in the basement with no gun, hes a mo tard. He made a crappy fake break in. Why wouldnt he leave shells in the basement. Or maybe those were from a faild attempt he forgot about? I mean he doesnt come off as the smart one. None of us really know how it went down. I personally think he knows and is guilty.
Everyone is intitled to their own opinion. But the intellectual level of your post tells me that you don't come off as a very smart one either. If I used to big of words for you....Look them up in a dictionary.
*entitled
*too
Maybe you should use spell check before insulting or attacking someone else based on intelligence.
I watched your program last night with my mouth hanging open! My parents rented the front part of this house in the 70's. I sat there thinking, I cleaned those steps and that beautiful railing, that window was my brothers bedroom, I sat on that porch, I walked around those barns and that's where the row of mail boxes were that my sister took out when she was driving. I had no clue that something so horrible had happened there.
Terrible circumstances, but I truly enjoyed your program.
My husband and I were watching the show on dateline and felt there were so many unanswered questions. We are trying to piece things together. You mentioned living in that home and we are trying to find the address to figure out its proximity to the interstate. We strongly believe it was someone other than Tom that was possibly driving off of the interstate or some simliar scenario. Do you remember the street address?
Or does anyone else know it? We can't find it anywhere on Google. Thanks.
The home is about 5-6 miles south from the closest interstate.
Thank you but I still can't find it. I found HWY 69 and went south 4-5 miles south but the news article says that the house is located on East Girard Rd and that road runs east to west of the HWY? Does anyone know the actual house number or street address or the road that it intersects with?
Their house is just a mile or so away from an overpass that goes over I69, no on/off ramps, just an overpass.
Has anyone been able to actually find the street address for their residence? This seems odd that I can't find it anywhere and nobody actually knows it??? HELP???
Ok so I realize theres some details missing because of having to fit everything into a 1 hr show BUT I have a few thoughts of my own that I would actually like to hear a followup on. (if my hunches are right)
So, we know Dar was a teacher. Is it not possible that a student or brother/sister of one of her students went in and killed her with their fathers shotgun? Maybe their father is a hunter. Maybe the cops should look up all registered shotguns. The lady that saw a person driving a white vehicle with someone, a male, black hair and pale skin, did the cops do a search on all shotguns with parents that have teenagers? With white vehicles?
This is what I think could have happened. One of Dar's students could have been pissed off at her for maybe giving them a bad grade. Maybe they got beat up by their "hunter type" father. Wanted revenge. Knew that her sons birthday was coming up, thought they would teach her a lesson. Went inside, took off their shoes. (if I was a teenager i'd automatically take off my shoes so as not to get yelled at, OR incase someone saw them they couldnt be trailed by their 'muddy footprints'). Go upstairs and shoot Dar, collect the shells with Tom's bag, they're wearing gloves so the prints are easily removed from the shells but NOT the bag. Throw it in your pocket, try and distract or throw the police off by scattering up the house and in the commotion the bag falls outta their pocket. I think the timeline is all wrong. The house could have been watched. They would have waited till Tom and the kids left for the party. Someone did it and I am convinced from the first time I heard Toms voice on the 9-1-1 call that it was NOT him. You have your killer and I think its an angst teen with their fathers gun driving a white vehicle and has dark hair and pale skin. GO.
Thalia from Canada
That would have been to much like work for them.
does anyone know the street address for the heath bar farm?
Dar taught elementary so the idea that it was one of her students is highly unlikely. I don't think they said that on the program, otherwise that would be a good theory.
I'm guessig the husband had no bloody clothes or blood somewhere splatterd on him? Yes I beleive he killed her but where is the weapon? There was two boys there too so they would of seen him carrying a gun. But then I can believe a crazed person broke in for drugs and she just happened to be in the bathroom showering. As far as him calling before going back to the house, there was a murder in Ill where the wife and 2 boys where killed and the father made calls knowing he had killed them so that don't float either. Also he's a man and trying to put the make on the women WHO came to HIS house is normal, I mean after all she came to him. Wow good thing I wasn't on the jury I'm stradling the fence for sure.
He had quite a bit of time to stash the weapon somewhere. A person broke into a strange house for drugs? If that were the case they would likely choose a house that was more likely to have drugs in it, or stolen money out of her purse. A sign that says Heath bar farm probably says that there aren't many fun drugs inside and really anything drug related you would steal out of a strange home could probably be purchased at a drug store. Most people would call first, maybe a few times, and then become concerned after no answer. Your logic following your example is kind of silly. Lastly, if your wife had been murdered two weeks prior to the sex act and it was your wife that you supposedly loved more than anyone you probably wouldn't be trying to engage in any romantic relationship with anyone. The only thing that was needed was the murder weapon, but even without it his guilt has been established. The only thing that makes me feel better is that some day he will have to explain this to God.
I don't see any reason that the woman who said she saw a white car come zooming out from the Foley house would have for saying that if it weren't so. Also, WHY would Tom Foley shoot his wife with a shotgun while his son and his son's friend were outside within earshot? That just doesn't make any sense to me at all.
You answered your own question.
I was very disappointed in the broadcast of the Foley case /Heath Bar Farm story. They did not tell the "WHOLE" story. I know they only have an hour to do the program in but... they should have done it in 2 parts. Dateline had left out "TOO MUCH" information so you the public could make an informed decision as to whether he was guilty or innocent. There was no blood found on Tom. This was never stated in the broadcast. The bathroom was small. There would have been a lot of back wash on Tom if he had shot her. This was never mentioned. Also....as loud as a gun going off in a small room he would have been deaf/ringing ears for a long time.(trouble hearing). All of the events that took place that day were not mention. I could go on and on. A lot of the information is public knowledge. They also failed to mention that the local paper took a pole and ask if the people in the town as to which Tom resides was guilty of murdering his wife. 82% of the people thought that he was innocent. This case was fumbled right from the beginning. It was to big for the county to handle and the prosecuting attorney was just trying to make a name for themself. As a matter of fact there have been several murders in this particular town with no arrest in many of them. Bottom line to this whole situation is that Tom Foley was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Based on the TV show, there isn't much evidence to really convict Tom. The prosecutors based their case primarily on suspicion, which should have been a red flag to the jury. Juries are supposed to consider all of the evidence, and there really just wasn't much against him.
(I think it was an intentional murder - why else would you go in with a shotgun and try to make it look like something else? - but Tom was right when he said it's just easier for them to pin it on somebody they can see rather than somebody they can't.)
Has anyone been able to actually find the street address for their residence? This seems odd that I can't find it anywhere and nobody actually knows it??? HELP???
Niki....WHY are you so obsessed with finding out the street address? That is very worrisome....
Did the prosecutor ever hear about reasonable doubt,and the husband is not always the murderer,there are other people in the community besides him. Definitely not guilty!
I just saw this story on a repeat. Anyone who thinks Tom Foley pulled the trigger is an idiot. A shotgun is a messy and loud way to kill someone. He would have had to scramble to hide the gun and wash all that blood off him. He also would have had to get rid of the clothes that would have blood splatter all over them. When did he have the time to do this? He would have had to travel to get rid of all this stuff because it wouldn't make sense to hide them around the property. Where would he have showered off? It doesn't make sense. And if he had a mortgage on the house any money he received from his wife's death would be gone. It doesn't make any sense. Unless, he had someone else do it. The big question is if someone smashed the window why didnt the wife run and hide or try to call the police? that would be the first reaction especially if you see someone breaking in. unless she knew the person. And, why take her to the bathroom to kill her? that seems more like the work of someone who planned it. not taking anything out of her purse and not taking any electronic equipment also raises questions as to the nature of the crime.