MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The family of Heather Elvis held a press conference Friday to discuss their feelings on the change in venue for the trial in their daughter’s kidnapping case.
Ms. Elvis went missing in December of 2013, police say she is presumed dead.
Sidney Moorer is accused of kidnapping Ms. Elvis. He faced a Horry County jury in June of this year, but the judge declared a mistrial after the jury was deadlocked. A new trial is set for next year in Georgetown County.
“We’re not happy about the trial being moved. We don’t want to go to Georgetown for the trial, we’d rather it be in Horry County,” said Debbie Elvis, Heather’s mom.
The family came together at Peachtree Landing in Socastee, the last place Heather Elvis was seen.
Elvis’ family said they are convinced that potential jurors in Horry or Georgetown County could still give a fair and unbiased verdict, but one of their main concerns is the burden of having to travel to attend the trial.
Elvis’ family discussed the judge’s concerns over social media and urged anyone who may be called for jury duty to take the responsibility seriously.
After having gone through one mistrial, they say they are more prepared for the next; but it’s still not something they can completely brace themselves for
“All of that is a little more familiar, but it’s still never easy to walk into that courtroom and relive everything that happened,” said Debbie Elvis.
The family also discussed how their lives have changed since their daughter went missing.
“It’s pretty excruciating to everyday, everyday, miss somebody in your life and not have any way to contact them, not have any way to contact them, not be able to hug them anymore,” said Debbie Elvis.
“Christmas is hard, the last time that I saw my daughter was in front of a Christmas tree so it makes it rough,” said Terry Elvis, Heather’s father.
This Sunday marks three years since Heather Elvis went missing. Her family will hold a candlelight memorial on Sunday from 5pm to 8pm at Peachtree Landing.
They are inviting the public to attend, and will honor anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one. They say they want to give hope that one day, they will be reunited.
