20/20: "Driven to Death" (Oct 18, 2025)

Podcast Host: ABC News
Summary by: Podcast Summarizer AI

Overview

"Driven to Death" investigates the chilling case of Greg Rice’s disappearance and murder in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina—a crime involving betrayal, an affair, and the manipulation of death’s most trusted professionals. The episode follows the unraveling of the case, from the initial missing person’s report to the shocking revelation of Greg’s murder—ultimately leading to the conviction of his ex-partner Megan Jackson and deputy coroner Christopher Dontel. The story is told through interviews, police interrogation audio, family perspectives, and courtroom moments, highlighting the impact on Rice’s family and the local community.

Main Themes

• Betrayal Within the “Business of Death”: Examining how two individuals tasked with caring for the dead, Megan Jackson and Chris Dontel, leveraged their access and knowledge to commit and cover up murder.
• Impact on Family:
  • The psychological toll on Greg’s children, especially his daughter Savannah.
• Community Shock: The interwoven nature of small-town relationships and the breach of trust when authority figures become suspects.
• Investigation Tactics: Use of digital evidence, surveillance, and persistent law enforcement efforts in a circumstantial case.
• Manipulation and Lies: The convoluted relationships, secrets, and untruths that ultimately unraveled under scrutiny.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Greg Rice Goes Missing

• Initial Discovery:

  • Family discovers Greg’s car and wallet left behind; his phone is missing, raising suspicion ([10:00]).
  • Savannah Rice: “His car was still there, but he wasn’t in there.” ([00:54])

• Community Search:

  • Immediate search by friends and family.
  • Law enforcement treats it as a serious and newsworthy issue for their small community ([17:29]).

• Suspicion of Drug Use:

  • Megan Jackson suggests Greg may be lost due to drug use—claims not supported by evidence ([08:57]; [19:30]).

2. The Unusual Relationship Network

• Megan Jackson’s Work in Body Transport:

  • Megan, a well-liked but increasingly erratic figure, works closely with deputy coroner Chris Dontel ([03:12], [06:06]).
  • Savannah describes Megan’s job as sad but potentially noble if done respectfully ([05:36]).

• Family Fallout:

  • Megan’s job leads to family tension and eventual split with Greg ([12:34]).

• Jackson and Dontel’s Affair:

  • Frequent work-related contact leads to a secret affair ([24:23]).
  • Anonymous texts to Dontel’s wife, Erica, reveal the affair and announce Megan’s pregnancy ([24:19], [60:05]).
  • Megan manipulates the narrative, blaming Greg for “causing problems” ([27:53]).

• Lifestyle Red Flags:

  • Megan’s home is revealed to have abusive conditions (doors locked, food restricted, windows nailed), resulting in her children’s removal ([52:18]).

3. Investigation and Evidence Gathering

• Timeline Reconstruction:

  • Surveillance and license plate records track Megan’s van and Chris’s vehicle entering Greg’s community on the night of his disappearance ([29:02]-[30:42]).
  • Megan and Chris repeatedly deny being in the area despite contrary video evidence ([31:15]-[34:32]).
  • GPS and cell records meticulously piece together their evening ([30:03]).

• Forensic and Physical Clues:

  • Greg’s body is found 37 days later, decomposed, shot 5 times, wrapped in a tarp with cinder blocks and ratchet straps ([37:47]-[39:35]).
  • Purchases at Lowe’s—tarp, cinder block, zip ties—are directly linked to Chris Dontel via surveillance ([42:59]-[43:25]).
  • DNA and dental records confirm Greg’s identity ([39:35]).

• Notable Quote:

  • Investigator/Reporter: “It sounded like a mafia hit.” ([39:09])

4. Unraveling the Motive and Cover-Up

• Megan’s Manipulations:

  • Megan “frames” Greg for anonymously texting Erica ([76:53]).
  • Both Megan and Chris claim ignorance and point fingers at each other during proffer and polygraph ([66:44]-[67:01]).

• “Business of Death” as a Facilitator:

  • Their professional roles provide access to funeral homes, transport vehicles, and methods for body disposal ([04:13], [31:55]).
  • With their tools and knowledge, they commit the ultimate betrayal ([73:46]).

• Impact on Children:

  • Savannah testifies against her mother; reflects on the trauma and complex feelings ([71:31]; [78:35]).

5. The Trials & Outcomes

• Chris Dontel’s Plea Deal:

  • Chris pleads guilty to accessory after the fact and conspiracy—not murder ([68:03]-[68:49]).
  • Plans to testify against Megan ([69:20]-[69:30]).

• Megan Jackson’s Trial:

  • Largely circumstantial but compelling case—prosecutors open by having Savannah testify ([71:31]).
  • Chris testifies, describing events in detail:
    “…In one motion, [Megan] spun out of the seat, pulled a gun out and shot him over and over. Didn’t see it coming. Neither did he.” ([72:52])

• Guilty Verdict:

  • Megan is found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison ([78:14]-[78:41]).
  • Child abuse charges dismissed due to her life sentence ([78:54]).

• Chris Sentenced:

  • 20 years: 15 for accessory, 5 for conspiracy ([79:54]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Greg’s Warning:
  “If anything ever happens to me, it’s not a suicide.” — Greg, relayed by family and friends ([01:17], [20:06])

• On Death Work:
  “We don’t have people standing in line to get this job.” — Chuck Benjamin ([04:35])

• Chilling Home Life:
  “She would essentially lock them in the room…windows…nailed shut.” — Narrator/Host ([52:27])

• On the Cover-Up:
  “He buys a Pepsi Zero...just nonchalantly pushing his cart with his murder dump kit through the line at Lowe's.” — Narrator/Host ([43:25])

• Savannah’s Testimony:
  “She looked at me and she said, I hope what happened to your dad happens to your sister.” — Savannah Rice ([71:49])

• On the Motive:
  “I was not at any point physically attracted to her, really. I was attracted to the lifestyle she was providing.” — Chris Dontel ([26:30])

• Savannah’s Conclusion:
  “No matter how hard and horrible your environment can be, you can always make it out and you can turn your life around and be the person that you want.” ([82:47])

• Savannah on her mother:
  “I just want her to tell me why she did what she did and to tell her that I hate her.” ([81:25], [81:35])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|-------------------| | Greg last seen, missing | 00:54–11:04 | | Megan’s background and body transport work | 03:12–07:09 | | Community search and initial investigation | 17:29–20:16 | | Affair and secrets revealed | 24:19–27:53 | | Evidence mounting (video, purchases) | 29:02–34:32 | | Discovery of Greg’s body | 37:47–39:35 | | Arrests and home searches | 44:21–53:29 | | Bond violations and continued relationship | 56:20–57:05 | | Proffers and courtroom testimony | 65:07–76:06 | | Verdict and sentencing | 78:14–80:40 | | Family fallout and aftermath | 80:53–83:26 |

Conclusion

"Driven to Death" exposes how the trusted role of dealing with death became the cover for murder in Myrtle Beach. Through digital forensics, determined policework, and heartbreaking family testimony, investigators exposed the dark partnership and ultimate betrayal committed by Megan Jackson and Chris Dontel. The episode emphasizes both the ripple effect of violent crime on families—especially children—and the tenacity of justice even when evidence is largely circumstantial.

For listeners seeking a riveting true crime narrative rich in detail and technical investigative work—this episode delivers both a chilling cautionary tale and an emotional family journey toward justice.