Ep 2. Against the Tide

Against the Tide is the second episode of the seventh season of the true-crime documentary series, Disappeared. The episode follows the story of Heather Elvis, a 20-year-old hostess who vanished from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on December 18, 2013.

At the time of her disappearance, Heather was working two jobs to make ends meet and was living with her parents. She was also seeing two men, Sidney and Elvis Moorer, who were brothers and both married with children. Although she had ended things with Elvis, the two continued to text and call each other. Heather was last seen at around 2 AM, after finishing her shift at the Tilted Kilt, a bar and restaurant.

Heather's car was found abandoned at Peachtree Boat Landing the following morning. Her keys, purse, and cell phone were missing, and there was a wet spot on the seat that appeared to be blood. The police found grave inconsistencies in Sidney and Elvis's alibis and history, particularly of Elvis, who had deleted all his text messages to Heather. Suspicion also arose around Tammy Moorer, Elvis's wife, who was caught on CCTV near the boat landing on the night of Heather's disappearance.

The episode tries to make sense of the confusing and sometimes contradictory accounts of those involved in the case. Interviews with Heather's family, investigators, and friends underscore the pain and grief of the loved ones left behind. The missing girl is described as a bright and cheerful person with a big heart who had a love for photography.

Against the Tide sheds light on important issues surrounding victim-blaming and slut-shaming. A crucial part of the episode deals with how certain people, including some of Heather's acquaintances, judged her for having relationships with married men and wearing provocative clothing. These attitudes, according to Heather's family, might have impeded the police investigation and complicated the search for their daughter. The episode also revisits how the public eye can often frenzy and harass potential suspects, who are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

As with most episodes of Disappeared, Against the Tide draws attention to the issue of missing persons, particularly the difficulty of obtaining closure when the fate of a loved one remains a mystery. The episode emphasizes the necessity of community involvement and action in missing people cases, mainly because leads can come from the most unlikely sources. Against the Tide leaves viewers with a haunting reminder of the effect that one person's disappearance can have on so many lives, while underscoring the importance of hope and perseverance, even in the bleakest of circumstances.