Tammy Moorer sentenced to 30 years in prison after being found guilty of kidnapping Heather Elvis

CONWAY, SC (WMBF) – An Horry County jury came back with a guilty verdict for Tammy Moorer in her kidnapping case.

The jury found Moorer guilty of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping in connection with the December 2013 disappearance of Heather Elvis. Moorer was sentenced to 30 years in prison on each of the charges. The sentences will run concurrently.

Tammy Moorer stood before the judge and spoke before sentencing.

“I’m a mom to four kids because I have an extra one right now that I’m looking out for. They don’t have anybody else. They don’t live in this state. We had to leave this state because of harassment," Moorer said to Judge Benjamin Culbertson, “They don’t have anybody else to care for them and they need their mom and I don’t know what else to say to you.”

Moorer continued and maintained her innocence even after the verdict was handed down.

"I am Heather’s No. 1 advocate. I want to know what happened to Heather probably just as much as her parents do. I want to know what happened to her. I have nothing to do with her disappearance. I’ve never met her. I’ve never seen her,” Moorer said.

The Elvis family spoke before the judge soon after. Terry Elvis went first. He said no one seems to want to take responsibility for her disappearance and he still doesn’t have his daughter back.

Terry Elvis also asked the judge to have the sentences be served consecutively rather than concurrently.

Heather’s mother, Debbi Elvis, said she’s thought for five years what she’d say in court when given the opportunity.

Debbi Elvis said her family’s reputation has suffered and they’ve been harassed.

“They won’t release our daughter. They kept her and won’t let her go. Five years later they’re still holding her hostage. They stole her life and ruined ours. I’m asking you to give Tammy the maximum sentence you can,” said Debbi Elvis.

Morgan Elvis spoke last for her family. She also requested the judge give Moorer the maximum sentence.

“I ask that you give her that because she deserves it. Because [Heather] can’t stand here for herself,” Morgan Elvis said.

Tammy Moorer’s defense attorney briefly spoke with WMBF news after the verdict. Because of the still imposed gag order, he couldn’t say much, but that it wasn’t the outcome they wanted.

“The jury verdict, it is what it is and we’re in the process of were filing an appeal and we don’t think this is the end of the matter,” said Greg McCollum.

He said they plan on working to get the gag order that they’ve been under for the last four and a half years lifted. If that happens, he said then he’ll be able to make a statement.

Moorer was escorted out of the courtroom by bailiffs after hugging her family in the rows behind her. She’s sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Their verdict capped several days of testimony that began after the jury was seated on Oct. 8.

Stay with WMBF News for more on this breaking news story.

Copyright 2018 WMBF. All rights reserved.