Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley were two 17-year-old girls from Alabama who tragically lost their lives on August 1, 1999. Their case, which remained unsolved for decades, is now the subject of a 20/20 episode titled Forever 17, set to premiere on Friday, May 10, 2024.
The two friends had met to celebrate Beasley’s 17th birthday when they disappeared on the night of July 31, 1999. They were last seen at a gas station in rural Ozark, Alabama, asking for directions back home. Their bodies were later found in the trunk of Beasley’s car, with gunshot wounds to the head.
After years of dead ends, Ozark Police Chief Marlos Walker decided to use forensic genetic genealogy to crack the case. In 2019, DNA evidence linked Coley McCraney, a former classmate of Walker’s, to the crime. McCraney, who maintained his innocence, was ultimately convicted of capital murder and rape in 2023 and sentenced to life in prison.
The 20/20 episode will delve into the details of the case, shedding light on the investigation and the breakthrough that led to McCraney’s arrest. Viewers can tune in to ABC on May 10, 2024, at 9 pm ET to watch the episode, or stream it the following day on Hulu.
Despite McCraney’s conviction, his defense attorneys have filed a motion for a new trial, which is expected to be decided later in 2024. The tragic story of Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of perseverance and modern forensic techniques in solving cold cases and bringing justice to the victims.
