Distinctive Clue Leads to Fugitive's Capture in 'Operation Catch a Toe'

In December 2006, Tammy Myers, a mother of three who recently split from her husband, disappeared from her new home in a Houston suburb. Her partner at the time, William Greer, also disappeared shortly after, and was suspected in her disappearance.

Authorities suspected Greer in Myers' death and launched an intense manhunt that spanned years.

In 2010, Deputy Marshal Cameron Welch from Texas got involved with the case, determined to find Greer. "He believed he could harm Tammy and go on unchallenged, mocking us all the while," Welch shared with correspondent Peter Van Sant on '48 Hours'.

Myers' daughter, Nicki Myers-Bates, recalled how she initially liked Greer, who was kind to her and her brothers until the relationship with her mother turned abusive.

Van Sant asked if seeing her mother suffer left an impression on her as a child. "Yes," she said. "My mother was often injured and struggled to move, and as far as I'm aware, she never reported the abuse."

Tammy had begun planning to reunite with her ex-husband Ryan, who, through tears, remembered her as loving and warm-hearted.

Nicki was just seven when her mother vanished and gave her first public account of the case at nine on 'America's Most Wanted'.

"Did you make it your mission to find Greer and honor your mother's memory?" Van Sant queried. "I did," Nicki replied.

By 2012, Deputy Marshal Leslie Ramin joined this vigorous pursuit, noting that the family deserved determined action. Nicki's tenacity impressed the Marshals, with Josh Wright commenting she would make a great marshal herself.

The search effort, dubbed 'Operation Catch a Toe', referenced Greer's missing toe from a bike mishap, a feature prominently noted on wanted posters.

Marshal Ramin explained, "A missing toe sets him apart, making identification easier."

The breakthrough came in November 2017 after a tipoff led authorities to Greer in Mexico. Despite his denials, uncovering the missing toe confirmed his identity.

Greer eventually accepted a plea deal for second-degree manslaughter.

For Nicki, the quest remains unfinished. Convinced her mother is buried in a nearby forest, she tirelessly searches for her.

Alongside volunteers from Texas EquuSearch in February 2024, Nicki sought answers, beginning the day with hopeful prayers.

During the search, cadaver dogs highlighted areas of interest but lacked the equipment for thorough excavation. Despite this, Nicki, a mother herself, persists.

"My children sense what's at stake and long for closure," Nicki said, embodying perseverance in her ongoing quest.