48 Hours Mystery Season 31 Episode 60 Widow's War
- August 17, 2019
- 43 min
Widow's War is the 60th episode of the 31st season of the popular true-crime series, 48 Hours. The episode takes an in-depth look at the case of Melissa Parker, a young woman who was murdered in her own home, and the surprisingly contentious legal battle that ensued between her family and her husband's family.
Melissa was just 25 years old when she was found dead in the bathroom of her home in Olive Branch, Mississippi, on December 8th, 2017. Her husband, Tyler Parker, called 911 to report that he had found her lying in the bathtub with a gunshot wound to her head. When police arrived, they also found Tyler's 8-year-old son from a previous marriage in the house, unharmed. Tyler told police that he had been at work when Melissa died, but he quickly became a prime suspect in her murder.
In the months that followed Melissa's death, the Parkers and the Bauers (Tyler's family) were thrown into a bitter legal battle over custody of Tyler's son, as well as Melissa's assets and estate. Melissa's family claimed that Tyler was responsible for her death, and that he should not be allowed to raise the child they had together, nor should he receive any of Melissa's assets. Tyler's family, on the other hand, argued that Melissa's family was trying to capitalize on her death for their own gain, and that Tyler was being unfairly accused.
The case went to court in the summer of 2018, and it quickly became clear that the legal battle would be just as contentious and emotional as the murder investigation itself. Both sides presented evidence and testimony that painted a very different picture of Tyler Parker and Melissa's relationship. Melissa's family argued that he had been abusive, controlling, and had even threatened her life in the past. Tyler's family, on the other hand, claimed that Melissa had a history of mental illness and drug abuse, and that she had been the one who was aggressive and abusive in their relationship.
Ultimately, the judge in the case decided to award both families joint-custody of Tyler's son, and ruled that Melissa's assets should be split between her immediate family and Tyler. However, the legal battle over Melissa's death is far from over. Tyler Parker has still not been officially charged with her murder, and both families are still fighting for control of her estate.
Widow's War is a haunting and heart-wrenching episode of 48 Hours that delves deep into the complex legal and emotional battle that arose after Melissa Parker's tragic death. Viewers will be taken on a journey through the investigation into her murder, as well as the bitter custody and estate battles that followed. The episode raises important questions about the nature of grief, family, and justice, and explores the ways in which tragedy can tear people apart, both emotionally and legally. Anyone who is interested in true crime, legal drama, and human relationships will find this episode of 48 Hours to be a fascinating and thought-provoking watch.