Tina Milford (9 of Hearts, South Carolina)
Digest
This podcast delves into the cold case of Tina Milford, a young mother who disappeared from her workplace in Anderson, South Carolina in 1983. The episode begins by introducing the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, including the discovery of her belongings at the convenience store where she worked. The investigation quickly focuses on her husband, Tony Milford, due to his financial struggles, drug addiction, and the timing of her disappearance coinciding with their divorce hearing. Years later, the case is revisited by Coroner Greg Shore and Constable Martin L. Rodd, who uncover a witness claiming Tony and Braldis Baldwin were involved in Tina's disappearance. Physical evidence, including a crack on Tina's skull and a picker stick found in Braldis's car, suggests she may have been struck with the stick. The caliber of the gun Braldis carried matches the cartridge casing found at the scene. The podcast explores the role of DNA testing in the investigation, revealing a suspicious stain on Tina's jeans. However, the DNA is degraded, making it difficult to identify a suspect. Despite advancements in forensic technology, the evidence remains insufficient. The podcast team interviews Tony Milford, who denies any involvement in Tina's murder. He provides alibis and expresses frustration with being considered a suspect. The episode concludes with a call for anyone with information about Tina's murder to contact the Anderson County Sheriff's Office. The podcast team emphasizes the importance of seeking help for victims of domestic violence.
Outlines
The Disappearance of Tina Milford
The episode introduces Tina Milford, the victim, and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance from a convenience store in Anderson, South Carolina. Levis Smith Jr., a retired sheriff's deputy, discovers the store unattended and calls the police.
The Initial Investigation
Deputies arrive at the store and find Tina's belongings but no sign of her. They learn that Tina was working an extra shift and had been in contact with her mother shortly before her disappearance.
Tony Milford: A Suspect Emerges
Tina's husband, Tony Milford, becomes a prime suspect due to his financial struggles, drug addiction, and the timing of Tina's disappearance coinciding with their divorce hearing.
New Leads and a Witness
Years later, Coroner Greg Shore and Constable Martin L. Rodd investigate the case and uncover a witness who claims Tony and Braldis Baldwin were involved in Tina's disappearance.
Physical Evidence and a Possible Weapon
The investigation reveals a crack on Tina's skull, suggesting she may have been struck with a picker stick found in Braldis's car. The caliber of the gun Braldis carried matches the cartridge casing found at the scene.
Interviewing Tony Milford and Seeking Justice
The podcast team interviews Tony Milford, who denies any involvement in Tina's murder. He provides alibis and expresses frustration with being considered a suspect. The episode concludes with a call for anyone with information about Tina's murder to contact the Anderson County Sheriff's Office. The podcast team emphasizes the importance of seeking help for victims of domestic violence.
Keywords
Tina Milford
Tina Milford was a young mother from South Carolina who disappeared from her workplace, a convenience store, in 1983. Her body was found the next day, and her death was ruled a homicide.
Tony Milford
Tony Milford was Tina's husband at the time of her disappearance. He was a suspect in her murder due to his financial struggles, drug addiction, and the timing of her disappearance coinciding with their divorce hearing.
Braldis Baldwin
Braldis Baldwin was an associate of Tony Milford. A witness claimed that Baldwin was involved in Tina's disappearance and carried a 25 caliber gun that matched the cartridge casing found at the scene.
Anderson County Sheriff's Office
The Anderson County Sheriff's Office is the law enforcement agency responsible for investigating Tina Milford's murder. They have been working on the case for decades and are still seeking information from the public.
Cold Case
A cold case is a criminal investigation that has been inactive for a significant period of time. Tina Milford's murder is a cold case that has received renewed attention in recent years.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another. The podcast highlights the importance of seeking help for victims of domestic violence.
Q&A
What were the circumstances surrounding Tina Milford's disappearance?
Tina Milford disappeared from her workplace, a convenience store in Anderson, South Carolina, in the early morning hours of June 24, 1983. She was working an extra shift and had been in contact with her mother shortly before her disappearance.
Why was Tony Milford considered a suspect in Tina's murder?
Tony Milford was considered a suspect due to his financial struggles, drug addiction, and the timing of Tina's disappearance coinciding with their divorce hearing. He also had a history of violence towards Tina.
What evidence was found at the scene of Tina's murder?
Tina's body was found at the edge of the woods, and she had a gunshot wound to the head. A 25 caliber cartridge casing was found near her body, and a bullet was later found lodged in her brain.
What role did DNA testing play in the investigation?
DNA testing was used to analyze a suspicious stain on Tina's jeans, but the DNA was degraded and insufficient to identify a suspect. However, advancements in forensic technology may allow for a male profile to be developed in the future.
What was the outcome of the interview with Tony Milford?
Tony Milford denied any involvement in Tina's murder. He provided alibis and expressed frustration with being considered a suspect. He also suggested that other individuals may have been involved.
Show Notes
Our card this week is Tina Milford, the 9 of Hearts from South Carolina.
The stories we cover on this show have made me more aware than ever how even the smallest of choices and chance encounters can change the course of a person’s life. A last-minute decision, or even a shift in schedule, can have a positive impact… or… result in dire consequences.
And in the wee morning hours on June 24th, 1983… something out of Tina Milford’s control placed the young mother on the same path as a predator…
- If you have any information about the murder of Tina Milford in Anderson, South Carolina in 1983, please call the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office at 864-260-4400, or you can speak with Sergeant Kendall Cash directly at 864-209-0582. You can remain anonymous by calling Anderson Area Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC (274-6372), or submitting a tip online.
View source material and photos for this episode at: thedeckpodcast.com/tina-milford
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