In December 2006, a tragic incident unfolded in Liberty County, Texas, when William Greer made a drunken confession to killing his girlfriend, Tammy Marie Esquivel.
However, before authorities could gather evidence to corroborate his claims, Greer fled the state, leading to an 11-year-long manhunt.
The pursuit of justice for Tammy and the capture of William Greer are the focus of a special true crime episode titled The Day My Mother Vanished, set to air on CBS on Saturday, May 11, 2024, and streaming on Paramount+.
After admitting to the crime while in a state of intoxication, Greer managed to escape authorities, leaving behind not only his children but also Tammy’s. Despite the confession, lacking tangible evidence like a body or DNA prevented police from taking immediate action against Greer for the murder.
With a missing toe being his only distinctive physical feature, Greer managed to evade capture for years, with sightings being reported in Louisiana and Kentucky, among other southern states. His ex-girlfriend, Kelly Richardson, who crossed paths with Greer after Tammy’s murder, described him as charming but noted his paranoid behavior around law enforcement.
In a surprising turn of events, Greer was finally arrested in November 2017 in southern Mexico, living a comfortable life with a woman and two children. Despite initially denying his true identity, police were able to confirm it by the unique feature of his missing toe. Upon extradition back to Texas, Greer faced trial and was eventually convicted of second-degree manslaughter.
The disappearance of Tammy Marie Esquivel in December 2006 left her family and children devastated. Reports suggested that Greer’s escalating violence led to a fatal altercation between him and Tammy, although her body was never found. Despite the lack of closure, Tammy’s daughter, Nicki Myers Bates, remains hopeful in her quest to locate her mother’s remains.
The search for justice for Tammy Marie Esquivel is a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and highlights the importance of persistence and determination in seeking closure and accountability.
