Kevin Neal

Complex Relationships & Conflicts

With so many complex relationships, it was inevitable that conflict would arise. Both Gary McGraw and Rick Smith found it difficult to be civil with the Neals, although the two men developed a mutual respect for each other. The difficulties with the Neals did give rise to problems with noncustodial visits, both men said. Eventually, things got so bad that Cody was not allowed to play outside because of problems the Neals were having with McGraw.

Sheriff David L. Deskins

Over the course of four days, Champaign County Sheriff David L. Deskins coordinated a search of the area surrounding the Neals' rented farmhouse using police, dogs, and hundreds of volunteers. They followed every lead, no matter how slim, but it was as if the children had simply stepped off the planet.

Deskins said he was using four theories to determine his actions: first, the children were lost and wandering; second, that family members had knowledge they did not share; third, someone else was keeping the children in ''protective custody''; fourth, a stranger abducted them.

"We're pursuing all four equally, but the possibility of the first scenario is diminishing," Deskins told members of the media who were covering the search.

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1. Messages from the Dead
2. 700 Years Later
3. The Children are Missing
4. Unhealthy Family Dynamic
5. Complex Relationships & Conflicts
6. Search for Children Called Off
7. Behind the Scenes
8. Neal's Criminal Past
9. Lies
10. Sexual Predator
11. Bodies in the Cemetery
12. A Ghastly Find
13. Physical Laws of Death
14. The Stages of Death
15. The Bureau of Criminal Identification
16. Working the Crime Scene
17. Manner of Death
18. Not Much to Work With
19. Cause of Death
20. More Forensic Clues
21. "We Are Not in a Rush"
22. No Smoking Gun
23. "Hurt Someone They Love"
24. Incriminating Statements
25. The Physical Evidence
26. Forensic Botany
27. Bug Collecting
28. Forensic Entomolgy
29. How Flies Tell Time
30. After the Blow Flies Flew Away
31. Enter the Cheese Skipper
32. Date of Death
33. The Secondary Screwworm in Court
34. Battle over Bug Evidence
35. Cheese Skippers for the Defense
36. Counterpoint
37. The Body Farmer
38. Dr. Bass for the Defense
39. "The Liver Bothers Me"
40. The Jury Decides
41. Bibliography