NBC’s ‘Dateline’ digs deep to reveal inside details of Rebekah Gould’s heart-wrenching murder and the trial that followed
GUION, ARKANSAS: NBC’s compelling true crime series ‘Dateline’ captivates its viewers with riveting stories based on real-life events. The upcoming episode of the powerful mystery crime investigative news program will delve into the murder of 22-year-old Rebekah Gould, whose story stretched on for nearly two decades until her victim, Williams Alma Miller was discovered.
In November 2020, 16 years after the investigation, Williams Alma Miller confessed to murdering Rebekah using a piano leg and beating her multiple times. The heart-wrenching story centers on an emotional event that surrounded countless questions, and the inside events leading to her murder will be revealed in the upcoming episode of NBC's Dateline.
Who was Rebekah Gould?
Rebekah Gould, born on September 25, 1981, was a beloved daughter, sister, and friend. She grew up in Melbourne, a small city in Arkansas, where she was known for her vibrant personality and outgoing nature. Rebekah had a zest for life and was passionate about art and music. She had dreams of pursuing a career in the creative industry and was known for her artistic talents. According to her loved ones, Rebekah was a fearless person – tiny, but not easily intimidated. Moreover, she was fiercely protective of those she loved and had a dog named Lady. Rebekah was extremely attached to her dog and went everywhere with her. Unfortunately, one day Rebekah disappeared from her friend’s house and was later found beaten to death.
What happened to Rebekah Gould?
Rebekah Gould, a young woman from Melbourne, Arkansas, met a tragic fate on September 20, 2004. She and her sister Danielle went to Melbourne from Northwest Arkansas and were to spend the weekend with her boyfriend, Casey McCullough. She was to stay with him at his house in Guion. However, she disappeared after dropping her boyfriend at work and her last reported sighting was at a local convenience store. Her vehicle was found at McCullough’s house with her keys and purse inside the house.
The circumstances surrounding her murder remained a mystery, leaving her family and the community searching for answers for nearly two decades. The crime scene was gruesome, with evidence indicating a violent struggle had taken place. Despite an extensive investigation, the case was stretched far too long as it took investigators 16 years to identify the suspect, William Alma Miller. In the aftermath of Rebekah's murder, her family and friends were left devastated and plagued by questions. Authorities conducted interviews, pursued leads, and explored possible motives, but no concrete breakthroughs emerged until sixteen years later. Miller was charged with first-degree murder and confessed to killing Rebekah at McCullough’s house. She was hit by a piano leg multiple times, eventually leading to her death.
How did her father address Williams Alma Miller?
Rebekah Gould’s father, Dr. Gould had the opportunity to give a statement to the victim before the court. While he stared down Miller, he explained how the loss of his daughter completely changed his life. He emotionally revealed how he relentlessly searched for her daughter only to find her dumped like a bag of trash. He also recalled the promise he made while standing over Rebekah’s casket in 2004, “No matter what it takes, I will find out who took your life”. He continued while sobbing, “Had you not been sick, you might have had a nice life. Mike McNeill brilliantly used your arrogance against you. You have two more counts to face: the prison system and God himself.” Mike McNeill was the special agent who had been appointed as the lead detective for the case in January 2020. Dr. Gould concluded his statement by referring to his promise to Rebekah, “Today, I look to heaven and whisper, ‘Promise made, Rebekah’,” as Miller appeared to be crying.
After many years of investigation, Miller was initially arrested for two years and appeared during a suppression hearing on August 24. The trial was later scheduled to begin on October 31, 2022, and concluded with a plea deal. Dr. Gould agreed to the plea deal with certain stipulations, resulting in life in prison for 40 years in exchange for a guilty plea. Miller got the eligibility for parole at the 30-year mark. However, it was clearly stated that his parole could be revoked in case further information involving the case is discovered. Dr. Gould also requested a full copy of the investigative case file that may help him answer the lingering questions surrounding his daughter’s death. At last, the missing suitcase was found after Miller told them its location, which corroborate his statement that he killed Rebekah.
Catch the full episode ‘Secrets of the Ozarks’ on NBC's show ‘Dateline’ on Friday, June 2 at 8 pm CST.