Naman Shrestha
NBC’s ‘Dateline: Return to the Landing’ chronicles the mysterious disappearance of a 20-year-old South Carolina woman named Heather Elvis, who has not been heard from or seen since December 17, 2013. When she went missing, her parents, Debbi and Terry Elvis, tried to contact their daughter, but to no avail. While they were worried about her well-being, hoping to reunite with her soon, an investigation was launched. Ultimately, the detectives found evidence against the kidnappers, Sidney and Tammy Moorer, who were convicted and sentenced. The devastated parents featured in the documentary and opened up about the impact the disappearance had on them.
Terry Elvis Got Into Legal Trouble of His Own During Tammy’s Trial
During Tammy Moorer’s trial, Terry Elvis got involved in an incident with Casey Brown, one of her defense attorneys, in the courtroom. Thus, one day after Tammy was convicted of kidnapping his daughter, on October 24, 2018, he stood trial as he faced a contempt charge. Casey accused him of yelling and throwing insults at him when they met in the bathroom on the first day of the trial. Although Terry admitted the confrontation, he denied using any abusive language. Despite his defense, the court found him guilty of contempt of court and gave him the option to spend a month in jail or pay a $400 fine. He decided to pay the fine.
Debbi and Terry Elvis Still Hope to Find Their Daughter
In order to mark 10 years since the disappearance of Heather, Debbi and Terry Elvis held a vigil at Peachtree Landing on December 18, 2023. Besides celebrating and remembering her daughter, Debbi took the opportunity to raise awareness about other missing people in Horry County. She told My Horry News, “This is our annual Night of Help. The pain of losing a loved one can be unbearable. We want to provide resources for families who, too, have lost someone.” Still holding on to a thread of hope, she requested, “We want to nudge somebody to come through and just let us know where our daughter is.”
In March 2025, when one of her daughter’s kidnappers, Sidney Moorer, filed a motion to get a retrial, Debbi claimed that she “knew it was coming.” She told WMBF, “We’ve been waiting for this appeal. On the Find Heather Elvis page, we actually were praying about it, that it would go quickly, that it would be scheduled quickly.” She also expressed her desire to have a one-on-one conversation with the convict. Debbi stated, “I actually would like to talk to him, and I would like to just beg him to let Heather go. He took her and hasn’t let her go.”
Debbi and Terry Lead a Well-Balanced Personal and Professional Life
Debbi and Terry Elvis continue to reside in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, holding their two daughters, Heather Rachelle Elvis and Morgan Rhiana Elvis, and son, Christopher Ryan, close. Debbi also raises awareness and amplifies the news about other missing persons cases through her social media. Besides her children, the Myrtle Beach business owner also maintains a close-knit bond with her brother, James Austin Harmon Jr. The Elvis couple’s daughter, Morgan, made them proud by becoming Miss Myrtle Beach of 2023. She is not only a model but also a Trauma-Informed Care Educator, a National Victim Advocate, and a Marketing/Relations associate at The Lovely Law Firm.
When Morgan became a college graduate in May 2024, Terry expressed his pride and joy on social media. He stated, “…I couldn’t be more proud and excited to know that she has no limits to what she will accomplish in her lifetime and I hope I can always be there to support and cheer her on with the encouragement that only a proud father can give. I love you so much, I’m overjoyed and beaming with pride yet humbled to have be given this gift from God to help mold and be there for every single thing she might need me for…” In March 2025, Debbi joined Morgan and Christopher on a trip to Los Angeles, California.
On the professional front, Debbi makes the most of her experience and passion for altering pieces of clothing as she runs a business of her own, Debbi: Alterations and Repairs. She also provides free phone consultations for her clientele. As for Terry, he is a Certified Bourbon Steward and an active digital creator. With over 21.5k followers on his Instagram, he utilizes his knowledge and reviews different Bourbons, showing off his expansive bar collection.
Read More: Sidney and Tammy Moorer: Where Are Heather Elvis’ Kidnappers Now?
