The Michele Harris-Cal Harris true crime case will be the subject of the latest episode of Dateline NBC. The episode entitled “Mystery at Empire Lake” will chronicle the events that led up to the disappearance of Michele Ann Harris, a 35-year old mother of four who vanished in Upstate New York on September 11, 2001. Her husband, prominent Owego businessman and car dealer, Calvin Harris , was convicted twice in her disappearance and death. His third trial ended in a mistrial in May, 2015.
Michele Harris was a beautiful woman by all accounts. Even Cal Harris stated that she is still the most beautiful woman that he has ever seen. The two met while she worked as a secretary for one of the car dealerships that was owned by Cal Harris’ father. Michele Harris was a small town girl whom everyone loved, and meeting Cal Harris was just wonderful for her — at first.
The two formed a relationship quickly before they finally agreed to be married. The marriage lasted for 10 years and yielded four children. But the relationship that had started out so beautifully became plagued by problems, prompting the once-loving couple to file for divorce. It got ugly very quickly as Michele and Cal Harris battled it out in court.
The situation took a tragic turn when Michele Harris did not return home on September 11, 2001. The next day the nanny received a call from Cal telling her to come to the home to get the kids ready for school because Michele Harris did not come home the night before. Shocked and worried, the nanny rushed over to get the kids. Before entering the property she noticed that the missing mother’s car was left abandoned at the end of the driveway.
Around the same time, Michele Harris’ best friend called the home and was shocked that the nanny was there and not Michelle. She had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach when the nanny informed her that Michelle had not come back that night. Instantly, everyone knew that something had to be wrong — deadly wrong. Michele Harris was a loving and devoted mother who would never leave her children.
But where was she? Despite the investigation , a body was never recovered. And the little evidence that they had pointed them in the direction of Cal Harris, who was eventually arrested and charged with second-degree murder. A jury found him guilty, but that conviction was overturned — twice. And now, 14 years later, a third trial has ended without a conviction.
Cal Harris says that this whole ordeal has ruined his life. His children all support their father and do not believe that he had anything to do with their mother’s disappearance or death.
Dateline NBC has been following this case for the last several years. Tune in tonight to hear Cal Harris and his children in their own words. Did three juries get it wrong? Is Cal Harris wrongly accused? Or is he a killer who has gotten away with murder.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dImyQ6NDwys
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