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The Erica Parsons Story: A Channel 9 special report

By WSOCTV.com News Staff
By WSOCTV.com News Staff

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — It was a mystery that captivated the country.

Channel 9 has been covering the disappearance and murder of 13-year-old Erica Parsons for years. In a special report, we’re sharing the Rowan County teen’s story in a way it has never been told before.

[FIND HELP: County-by-county child protection resources]

With exclusive case files, interviews and perspective, “The Erica Parsons Story” will dig deep into what her life looked like and shed light on the investigation in an effort to help other children who may be suffering.

>>Watch ‘The Erica Parsons Story’ wherever you stream -- on the WSOC NOW app on your Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV -- until Nov. 7, every night at 8 p.m.

The investigation started in 2013 when Erica’s adoptive brother came to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office to report her missing.

But her case was already cold. Erica disappeared years before detectives ever knew. She was last seen in 2011.

Erica Parsons, 13, was last seen November 2011, but she wasn’t reported missing until July 2013 by her adopted brother.

Erica Parsons Erica Parsons, 13, was last seen in late 2011, but she wasn’t reported missing until July 2013 by her adopted brother. (WSOC)

Her adoptive parents told an elaborate tale, going as far as Hollywood to spread their story on national television of Erica’s new life with her biological grandmother.

In a 2013 interview with Dr. Phil, Erica’s adoptive mother, Casey, said, “After living with Nan for two months, Nan told us that Erica did not want to come back home. Erica wanted to stay with her permanently.”

(You can watch Casey and Sandy’s interview with Dr. Phil below)

For years, investigators tracked every lead.

It wasn’t until a crucial break from her adoptive father, Sandy, that the community learned what happened to Erica.

Sandy led investigators to Erica’s remains near Pageland, South Carolina in 2016.

Both Casey and Sandy Parsons are in prison after pleading guilty to their adoptive daughter’s murder.

In case you missed it, watch the full “9 Investigates: The Erica Parsons Story” below:

The Erica Parsons Story: A Channel 9 special report - Part 1

The Erica Parsons Story: A Channel 9 special report - Part 2

The Erica Parsons Story: A Channel 9 special report - Part 3

The Erica Parsons Story: A Channel 9 special report - Part 4

The Erica Parsons Story: A Channel 9 special report - Part 5

The Erica Parsons Story: A Channel 9 special report - Part 6

(WATCH: The Erica Parsons case featured on ‘Nancy Grace’ in 2013)

'Nancy Grace' features Erica Parsons case Nancy Grace features Erica Parsons case

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