Shivangi Sinha
In July 2011, Laura Ackerson was reported missing by her friend and business partner after she stopped responding to messages. When police began tracing her movements, they discovered she was last seen with her ex-husband, Grant Hayes. He was quickly placed under surveillance, and soon, it became clear that his wife, Amanda Hayes, was also implicated in the crime. Investigation Discovery’s ‘See No Evil: Final Offer’ delves into the details of the case and how both perpetrators were eventually brought to justice.
Grant and Amanda Hayes Got Married Briefly After the Former’s Divorce
Grant Hayes (also known as Haze) was born on April 30, 1979, to Grant Hayes II and Patsy Hayes. He was raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, alongside his sister, Grantina Hayes, in a relatively stable and typical household. From a young age, Grant showed a strong interest in music and aspired to build a career in the industry. He not only had musical talent but also possessed a natural charm and confidence that made him stand out. In 1997, at the age of 18, he married ballerina Emily Lubbers, and the couple began their married life in Greenville, North Carolina. However, what began as a seemingly happy union soon deteriorated, and Grant reportedly struggled to cope with the breakdown of the relationship.
Grant was allegedly diagnosed with mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder and depression, for which he was prescribed lithium. By 2005, he was said to have developed a dependency on alcohol and various drugs, including synthetic hallucinogens. Despite his struggles, he continued to pursue music and performed regularly. In late 2006, he met Laura Ackerson, and the two quickly formed a deep connection. The latter believed their shared birthday was a sign of fate, and their romance progressed swiftly. They married in April 2007 and made their home in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The couple welcomed two sons, Grant Ruffin Hayes IV and Gentle Reign Hayes, and for a while, appeared to be building a stable life together. However, the relationship between Grant and Laura soon began to deteriorate. According to her friends, Laura struggled with what they described as Grant’s narcissistic behavior, which ultimately became too difficult for her to endure. Their separation led to a bitter and drawn-out custody battle over their two sons, with the divorce being finalized in 2010. The court granted them joint custody, allowing each parent to have designated time with the children. Around this period, Grant began a new relationship. Born on April 8, 1972, in Taft, Texas, Amanda Smith was an actress with credits in well-known productions such as ‘The Stepford Wives.’ By April 2010, Amanda and Grant had tied the knot.
Grant and Amanda Hayes’ Activities Were Tracked Through CCTV Footage
Amanda and Grant Hayes also shared a daughter named Lillian “Lily” Ann Love Hayes, and Amanda often helped care for Grant’s two sons during their visits. When Laura Ackerson was reported missing in July 2011, investigators initially had little evidence to go on. She had last been seen on July 13 and was scheduled to meet Grant on July 15, but never arrived. Surveillance footage showed him waiting at the designated location with his sons before leaving, which initially didn’t raise alarms. However, once authorities learned about the acrimonious divorce and custody battle between the two, he became a person of interest. Their suspicions deepened on July 19 when Laura’s car was discovered abandoned just a few meters from Grant and Amanda’s residence.
Authorities obtained a search warrant for Grant and Amanda’s home, where they discovered a large bleach stain on the carpet and noted that the bathroom appeared to have been meticulously cleaned. Their concern deepened after they reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby Walmart showing Grant purchasing a power saw at around 3 am on July 14, just hours after Laura was last seen. With mounting evidence, police placed the couple under close surveillance. They soon discovered that Grant had rented several large coolers and a U-Haul truck. The pair had driven to Texas, where Amanda’s family resided, and along the way, investigators observed Amanda disposing of muriatic acid from the back of the truck.
Police eventually tracked Grant and Amanda to Texas, where further questioning led them to a pond known to be infested with alligators. It was there that they found Laura’s dismembered remains. An autopsy later confirmed that acid had been poured over her head, likely in an attempt to destroy evidence. Investigators theorized that Laura had gone to Grant’s home for a discussion, which escalated into a fatal argument. They believe he killed her, after which he and Amanda worked together to dismember the body. They then used coolers and a rented U-Haul truck to transport her remains across state lines. On October 28, 2011, Grant and Amanda were arrested at the former’s parents’ home in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Amanda and Grant Hayes are Serving Their Sentences Today
Amanda and Grant Hayes were both charged with first-degree murder in July 2011. Amanda claimed she only assisted out of fear for her life, alleging that Grant had threatened her. However, surveillance footage showing her alone while disposing of evidence told a different story. In September 2013, Grant was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Amanda went to trial in February 2014 and was convicted of second-degree murder. She received a prison sentence of 13 to 16 years. Later, she was also found guilty of tampering with evidence and received an additional 20-year sentence to be served consecutively.
Grant appealed his sentence, but his request was rejected in 2023. Now 46 years old, he remains incarcerated at the Eastern Correctional Institution in Maury, North Carolina, where he is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Amanda, now 53, was released from North Carolina custody in August 2024 after completing her sentence there. She was subsequently transferred to the Dr. Lane Murray Unit in Gatesville, Texas, where she is serving a separate 20-year sentence. She is expected to remain in prison until at least 2034.
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