In a brand new episode of “The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper,” CNN Anchor and Chief Legal Analyst Laura Coates presents an in-depth investigation into two missing person cases that share a mysterious connection, capturing the attention of the nation. The episode, titled “The Deputy and the Disappeared,” will premiere on CNN Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 8.00pm.
The cases revolve around Felipe Santos and Terrance Williams, both men of color who went missing in Naples, Florida in 2003, three months apart. Curiously, they disappeared after getting into a patrol car driven by Steven Calkins, a white deputy sheriff who remains the last known person to have seen them alive. Despite being presumed dead after twenty years and the cases turning cold, Calkins has never been arrested or charged and maintains his innocence.
This particular case didn’t receive much media attention until 2018 when filmmaker Tyler Perry enlisted Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Calkins on behalf of Terrance Williams’ mother. Building upon meticulous reporting by CNN crime reporter Thomas Lake, Laura Coates and Lake return to the scene of the disappearances to uncover new leads and interview a witness who is coming forward for the first time.
Coates’s investigation uncovers disturbing allegations about former deputy sheriff Calkins’ background through conversations with investigators involved in the case and a former colleague of Calkins who reveals newly revealed details about their time working together. She also speaks with family members of Terrance Williams, including his son Tarik, who publicly shares his thoughts on his father’s disappearance for the first time.
Tune in to CNN on Sunday March 17 at 8.00pm as Laura Coates delves into this story that showcases a mother’s unwavering determination to find her son despite facing numerous obstacles. This gripping tale raises questions about trust even within the investigative process itself.
