Podcast Summary: Going West: True Crime Episode 591 – “Tara Grant: Secrets in Washington Township” Originally aired: March 17, 2026 Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman

Episode Overview

In this episode, Daphne and Heath revisit the haunting and heartbreaking 2007 case of Tara Grant—a devoted mother and successful businesswoman in Michigan who vanished after a late-night argument with her husband, Stephen Grant. What began as a missing person inquiry escalated into a notorious murder investigation marked by lies, obsession, and Stephen’s shocking confessions. The hosts break down how jealousy, infidelity, and power dynamics culminated in a brutal and senseless act.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

Tara’s Background and Marriage

• Tara Grant was an accomplished businesswoman, athletic, family-centered, and passionate about providing for her loved ones (04:11–07:22).
• She met Stephen at Michigan State; they married soon after graduation. Stephen was “sweet talking and charming,” initially supportive (05:33).
• The Grants settled in Washington Township, Michigan, had two children, and Tara’s high-powered job required regular work trips to Puerto Rico (06:49–07:09).
• Stephen stayed home, working part-time for his dad but mainly managing the household and children (07:22).
• To manage their busy lives, they hired several au pairs over time—the latest being 19-year-old Verena from Germany (08:30–09:29).

The Disappearance

• Friday, February 9, 2007: Tara returned from a work trip. She and Stephen had a heated argument about her frequent absences; Stephen claims Tara left in a black town car late that night (09:29–10:13).

• Verena, the au pair, returned home later and found Stephen emotionally volatile, saying Tara “left” after their fight (10:13–11:23).

• Over the weekend, Stephen left voicemails for Tara, growing agitated and accusatory, upset she wasn’t contacting him or the kids (11:59–12:18).

  “Tara, next time I call you, pick up your phone. It’s absolute bullshit that you wouldn’t call me or your kids… Traveling this much is not right.” – Stephen Grant voicemail, paraphrased by Daphne (12:18)

• Tara was reported missing five days later, on Valentine’s Day. Stephen admitted to police that he may have “waited too long” to call (14:37).

• Her family, notably her sister Alicia, was shocked—Tara wouldn’t ditch her kids or vanish without contact (15:13–15:20).

Stephen’s Behavior Raises Eyebrows

• Stephen presented himself as a concerned husband to police and media but became obsessed with media coverage and controlling the narrative (17:43–18:50).

• He gave frequent interviews, sometimes with his lawyer, sometimes not—calling one local journalist “20 times a day,” focusing on how he appeared on TV (18:05–19:20).

  “He even asked Hank [the reporter] if he looked okay on television—if his optics would be favorable if he got a haircut or bought new clothes for TV.” – Daphne (19:20)

• Publicly, Stephen shifted blame to Tara, portraying her as an absentee, work-obsessed mother, frustratingly absent from family life (20:37–20:57).

• He started telling people, including police, that Tara had likely run off or was having an affair, though evidence contradicted this (16:34–16:39, 21:10).

Signs of a Troubled Marriage

• Emails to Stephen’s ex-girlfriend Dina Hardy revealed he suspected Tara of cheating and that he himself longed to “hold you again, taste you again” (22:50–23:13).
• Stephen confided, “I don’t care about being married” and suggested affairs wouldn’t bother his conscience (23:24).
• Au pairs reported creepy behavior—one said Stephen watched her through a hole in the wall (24:15–24:28).

Projection and Hypocrisy

• Despite accusing Tara of infidelity (over old emails), Stephen himself had:

  • Emailed exes explicitly
  • Engaged sexually with the 19-year-old au pair, Verena (30:58–31:31; 32:39–33:16)
  • Leered at young women in his home (24:15–24:21)

  “Basically this guy is the projection king. Everything that he accuses Tara of doing, he’s doing himself.” – Teeth (31:31)

The Investigation Unravels

Discovery of Evidence

• Feb 28: A neighbor walking her dog in Stoney Creek Park found a bloody ziplock bag with latex gloves, metal shards, and human blood (35:46–36:54).
• Police searched the Grant home; in the garage, they found a green tub with Tara’s dismembered torso (38:19–39:00).
• Stephen fled during the search, supposedly “walking the dog,” but never returned—prompting a state-wide manhunt (37:24–39:28).
• Metal shavings in evidence matched those at Stephen’s father’s tool & die shop, which became another key crime scene (39:28–40:00).

Stephen Confesses

• Found in hiding after days on the run—shoeless, frostbitten, and despondent in a Michigan state park (43:18).

• After medical treatment, he told police everything: The fatal confrontation with Tara began with a fight over her work schedule and ended with him strangling her after she threatened to divorce him and take the kids (44:00–45:28).

• He attempted to cover up the murder:

  • Dismembered Tara at his father’s shop
  • Spread remains throughout the park using his children’s sled
  • Hid the torso at home, intending further disposal (46:12–50:12)

• Stephen’s failure to properly hide evidence led directly to his arrest.

  “He likened the sound of her body hitting the floor to the sound of watermelon hitting cement.” – Daphne (46:52)

Aftermath and Legal Proceedings

• Stephen was charged with first-degree murder and mutilation of a corpse; he pleaded guilty only to mutilation, fighting the murder charge despite his confession (51:09–51:28).
• Jury convicted him of second-degree murder; sentenced to 50 years in prison (51:28–52:00).
• Tara’s children, adopted by her sister Alicia, struggled but found support in family and therapy; they now advocate against domestic violence (52:00–53:06).
• Stephen’s father, devastated, died by suicide just months after the trial (53:09–54:20).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Teeth: “Yeah, we got a real big piece of shit in today's case.” (02:01)
• Daphne (on Stephen's performative grief): “He was eager to center himself in the harrowing quest to find his wife… he seemed to actually enjoy being front-facing in terms of the search efforts.” (18:08)
• Teeth (on Stephen's hypocrisy): “You little freak. What are you doing?” (24:18)
• Daphne (on the aftermath): “It makes me so sad to think about the fact that somebody as amazing as Tara was married to this absolute loser.” (50:12)
• Teeth: “Weak, pathetic man.” (50:44)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 04:11 | Introduction to Tara’s early life, education, and marriage| | 09:29 | Tara returns and the inciting argument | | 14:37 | Missing person report filed | | 17:43 | Stephen’s media obsession and suspicious behavior | | 22:50 | Revelation of Stephen’s emails to ex-girlfriend | | 24:15 | Au pair reports voyeurism | | 30:58 | Summary of Stephen’s affair with Verena, the au pair | | 35:46 | First physical evidence (bloody bag) discovered | | 39:00 | Tara’s torso found | | 43:18 | Stephen found and arrested | | 45:28 | Stephen’s confession—detailed account of murder | | 51:09 | Legal proceedings/trial outcome | | 53:09 | Suicide of Stephen’s father |

Conclusion

Daphne and Heath drive home the tragic theme: Tara was a vibrant woman stifled by a jealous, possessive, and ultimately dangerous spouse. The episode is a study in projection, fragile masculinity, and the ripple effects of domestic violence. The hosts' tone is sometimes darkly humorous and pointedly critical, particularly towards Stephen’s manipulations and failures, but always compassionate when remembering Tara and advocating for her children.

Final note: Tara’s family and children continue to honor her memory through advocacy against domestic violence, refusing any further contact with Stephen Grant.

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