ABC’s 20/20 takes an in-depth look at the cold case murders of Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley, two 17-year-old girls from Dothan, Alabama, whose bodies were found in the trunk of a car in 1999. With new DNA evidence and the arrest of Coley McCraney, the case takes a shocking turn as Deborah Roberts sits down for an exclusive interview with the convicted killer, who maintains his innocence.
In this episode, airing on Friday, 10 May 2024, from 9:01–11:00 pm EDT on ABC, the show revisits the tragic murders of Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley and the subsequent arrest of Coley McCraney, who was charged with multiple counts of capital murder and first-degree rape.
On the evening of July 31, 1999, best friends Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley, set out for a birthday celebration in Headland, Alabama, a short drive from their hometown. Tragically, they never arrived. The following day, their bodies were found in the trunk of Beasley’s car, parked in a different town, Ozark, Alabama. Both had been shot, and there was evidence of sexual assault.
For two decades, the case went cold, despite media attention and ongoing investigations. Then, in 2019, a new lead emerged: genetic genealogy identified Coley McCraney as a potential suspect. McCraney, a Dothan resident with no criminal history, was charged with the murders.
“Forever 17” features an exclusive interview with McCraney, who denies any involvement. The episode also includes interviews with the victims’ mothers, Carol Roberts and Cheryl Burgoon, who have waited decades for justice.
As the trial of Coley McCraney commences, the families of Hawlett and Beasley finally have a chance at closure. The episode provides a detailed account of the case, from the initial mystery to the latest twists, offering a glimpse into the complex world of cold case investigations and the power of DNA technology.
Don’t miss this compelling episode of 20/20, airing on ABC Friday at 9.00pm and streaming on Hulu the next day.
