Ep 4. Family Ties

In Ice Cold Blood is a documentary series that examines some of the most horrific crimes committed in America. Each episode takes a deep dive into the case, exploring the motives and methods of the perpetrators. In season 3 episode 4, titled Family Ties, the focus is on a family murder with a shocking twist.

The episode begins by introducing the Seabolt family, who live in a rural town in Georgia. The Seabolts are a close-knit family, with three children and a son-in-law all living together in a small house on their property. Bruce Seabolt, the father, is the patriarch of the family and is described as a hard-working man who loves his family above all else.

One morning, a neighbor calls 911 to report an unusual smell coming from the Seabolt property. When police arrive, they find the bodies of the entire Seabolt family inside their home. Bruce, his wife Joanne, their daughter Michelle, and her son Clayton have all been brutally murdered. The family's son-in-law David Thacker is missing, but police soon discover he has run away with his girlfriend.

The investigation into the Seabolt family murders is complicated by the fact that the killer seems to have covered their tracks well. There are no obvious signs of forced entry, but the family's valuables have been stolen. As detectives begin to interview family and friends, they discover that David had a history of violence and drug abuse. They also find out that he had been arguing with Bruce Seabolt in the days leading up to the murders.

As the investigation continues, detectives start to uncover a web of deceit and betrayal that extends well beyond the Seabolt family. They learn that David had been involved in a love triangle with Michelle and another woman, and that his drug addiction had put a strain on his marriage to Michelle. They also find out that David had been stealing from the Seabolts and using their credit cards to fuel his drug habit.

Despite the mounting evidence against him, David denies any involvement in the murders. He claims that he was at a party on the night of the killings and that he ran away because he was afraid he would be blamed for the crimes. However, DNA evidence found at the scene eventually links David to the murders, and he is arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder.

As the trial unfolds, the shocking truth about the Seabolt family murders is revealed. The motive behind the crime is not just greed or jealousy, but a deep-seated rage that had been building between David and the Seabolts for years. The shocking revelation leaves the Seabolt family's loved ones and the small town they lived in reeling.

In Ice Cold Blood season 3 episode 4, Family Ties, is a gripping and emotional exploration of a family tragedy that shocked a community and the country. The episode delivers a nuanced and detailed examination of the crime, the investigation, and the trial, leaving viewers with a profound sense of the devastating impact of violent crime.