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A romantic rivalry between members of the Hollywood Baptist Church led to the murder of Thad Reynolds at the hands of youth minister Richard Scott Harper. Harper had been romantically involved with his best friend, Thad's wife, Michelle, and wished to settle down with her.
Richard Scott Harper stabbed Thad to death at his workplace on July 5, 2004, over jealousy and anger. The authorities found incriminating evidence such as bloodied clothes, DNA evidence, and surveillance footage of the purchase of the murder weapon that landed Harper in prison for life.
The Dateline: Unforgettable episode titled The Secret Life of the Homecoming Queen sheds light on Thad Reynolds' murder as it aired on July 26, 2024, and is presently streaming on NBC. The official synopsis reads:
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"To many, it seemed like a romance between a former football player and homecoming queen. However, when it ends in death, police investigate. Dennis Murphy reflects on a secret relationship that led a churchgoing couple down a dangerous path."
Who is Richard Scott Harper? Details explored
Episode 8 of season 4 of Dateline: Unforgettable showcases the horrific murder of the aspiring minister in Rome, Thad Reynolds. The father of four, Reynolds (36), was discovered by a colleague at his workplace at the Frito-Lay distribution center in the early hours of July 5, 2004. According to the Rome News-Tribune, Thad had been stabbed 19 times with a hunting knife.
As the investigations went on, the authorities of the Floyd County Police Department discovered a love triangle behind the murder as Thad's wife, Michelle Reynolds, had been s*xually involved with her husband's best friend and fellow churchgoer, Richard Scott Harper.
Richard Scott Harper was part of the Air Force and had also served in the combat communications unit at Desert Storm. After his stint in the service, he joined the telecommunications department at the Floyd Medical Center (FMC). Richard used to serve as the youth minister at the Hollywood Baptist Church and also worked as the family pastor to middle schoolers in the community.
Richard was married to Paige Harper and the couple had three daughters who were close to Reynolds' four children.
What evidence was found against Richard Scott Harper?
The heinous murder of Thad Reynolds on July 5, 2004, sparked a haste investigation and landed both culprits, Michelle and Richard, behind bars four days later. The authorities who responded to the crime scene at the Frito-Lay distribution center at 2605 Calhoun Road found a hunting knife's sheath and a pair of prescription glasses at the crime scene, per the Rome News-Tribune.
A witness had noticed a red mini-van leave the area around the window the crime was committed. Furthermore, the authorities from the Floyd County Police Department found surveillance footage of Richard purchasing a hunting knife on July 1, 2004.
Scott Harper had also visited the Floyd Medical Center after the murder to have his wounds on his right hand treated. He later justified them saying he suffered from injuries at the gym. The same witness reportedly came forward with information of seeing Scott change his clothes at the doorway to the office.
The police officers found the missing murder weapon and the bloody clothes hidden at the data center at the Floyd Medical Center.
Catch all the details of Thad Reynolds' murder as the Dateline episode streams on NBC.
