Editor’s note: This is a letter to the Plant City community from Charles “Bud” Moriarty, the father of Kelly Moriarty. Kelly Moriarty and Plant City resident Doris Carter were last seen Dec. 16, 2011, at Carter’s Plant City home. On Dec 27, 2011, a severed leg washed ashore behind at 6990 Fourth St. S., in St. Petersburg. It later was identified as Kelly Moriarty’s leg. To date, Carter has not been found, and no arrests have been made.
Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter, because I believe that Doris Carter’s daughter and son-in-law are people of interest in the murder of our daughter, Kelly Moriarty, and the disappearance of Doris Carter. I don’t believe that Doris is still alive, but I am not positive, because not a trace of her has ever been found.
Our family is going through a living hell. I feel that both women could have been placed in a heavy fishing net and dumped into the water. All we ever received was a small part of Kelly’s leg that had washed up on a beach in St. Petersburg. We know it was Kelly’s leg, because it matched my wife’s DNA.
Every aspect of this case points right back to Doris Carter’s home in Plant City, but her daughter and son-in-law have stated to law enforcement that Doris and Kelly left Doris’ home the morning of Dec. 16, 2011, in Kelly’s car.
We don’t believe that story.
Both women’s cell phones went dead Dec. 16, one mile north of Plant City. Kelly’s car was found parked and locked on the side of State Road 62, in Manatee County. The police told us there was nothing wrong with her car, and it started right up the first time they tried to start the car. Kelly’s leg washed up on a beach in Pinellas County. That now means that three counties are involved in this case. We believe this was well-planned, and our daughter’s car was driven from Doris’ home in Plant City, so it wouldn’t be found in her driveway.
All of this mystery took place one day after Doris took out court papers to have her daughter and son-on-law evicted from her home. Doris also stated she would lock herself in her own bedroom, because she was afraid of her daughter and son-in-law. Her son-in-law also told law enforcement that he hated Kelly and his mother-in-law. Sixteen months after their eviction, they still are living in Doris’ home. How convenient is that? They must be the luckiest people on this planet.
They also will not cooperate with any law enforcement in any way and also, in 16 months, have not asked, “What happened to my mother?” They have stated that they have an attorney and refuse to answer any questions.
My wife and I have been in touch with every law-enforcement agency in the country for the past 16 months and won’t stop until the person or people responsible for the murder and dismemberment of our daughter are brought to justice. I know why Kelly was murdered and Doris disappeared. And so do they …
These people responsible still are walking the streets in or around Plant City, and we want them arrested and convicted. They should get the death penalty or life in prison, without the chance of parole. This crime was well planned, and if the two people of interest are innocent, then they should be willing to take a lie-detector test and cooperate with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in any way they can. If they are innocent, then they have nothing to hide.
I always have wondered what they have told their daughter, when she asks, “What has happened to Grandma? She would never go away this long without letting us know where she went.”
If anyone out there can be of any help, please pick up the phone and call Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Brendan Fitzgerald, (813) 247-8649.
There is also a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those who are responsible for this horrific murder. Our family will never have closure. Any information would be gratefully appreciated. Thank you.
Charles “Bud” Moriarty
Manatee County