Chrystal Anette Terry, aged 41, was reported missing from her home in Summerfield, FL, on December 21, 2017. She was 18 weeks pregnant at the time of her disappearance. Her husband, Vincent LaSara Terry, reported her missing on Christmas Day, stating that she had walked away from their home a few days earlier, leaving behind her cell phone, purse, wallet, and medication.
Vincent claimed that Chrystal had a drug problem and suggested that she might have left due to this issue.
The investigation took a dark turn when detectives from the Marion County Sheriff's Office searched Vincent Terry's cell phone and discovered multiple photographs of Chrystal's dead body. The images depicted a nude woman with facial trauma, blood on her upper body, and a gunshot wound to her stomach. The tattoos on the body matched those of Chrystal, confirming her identity. Further searches of the couple's home revealed a .22 caliber rifle and ammunition, as well as significant blood evidence in the carpet and sub-flooring.
Vincent Terry was subsequently arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He admitted to taking the photographs but claimed he did so to show Chrystal how she looked after taking pills. He also admitted to having an argument with her on the night she disappeared. Despite his claims, the evidence pointed towards foul play. Investigators also uncovered that Vincent had a history of violence against Chrystal. In 2014, he was arrested in El Paso County, Colorado, for attempting to murder her, but the charges were dropped after Chrystal refused to cooperate with the authorities.
The case against Vincent Terry was built on the photographic evidence, the blood found at the scene, and his inconsistent statements. The investigation revealed that Chrystal had made arrangements to pick up a money-gram the morning after she disappeared and had a doctor's appointment, both of which she missed. This further indicated that her disappearance was not voluntary. The case remains a tragic example of domestic violence, with Vincent Terry awaiting trial for the murder of his wife and unborn child.
