A series of disturbing text messages has been made public after a father murdered his own children with the help of their uncle.
Mark Wright, the uncle who assisted in the brutal murders of his niece and nephew, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the deaths of the siblings in 2018.
The tragic case involves the deaths of 14-year-old Mary Crocker and 16-year-old Elwyn Crocker Jr., whose remains were discovered buried in the backyard of their home in Guyton, Georgia, in December 2018.
Mary had been missing for two months, while Elwyn had been gone for over two years. Neither child had been reported missing by the family, and their disappearance was not investigated until later.
Mark Wright, 21, admitted to helping his brother-in-law, Elwyn Crocker Sr., kill and bury the children.
In a chilling series of text messages, Crocker Sr. communicated with family members while carrying out the gruesome task. One message read (via the Daily Mail): "Almost done burying Mary's," to which his mother-in-law, Kim Wright, responded, "Cool! How deep?" Crocker Sr. replied, "There was a car driving by, driving by very slowly, I think it was a cop."
As he continued to bury Mary’s body, Crocker Sr. also texted his wife, Candice Crocker, saying: "I think she's been hit in the head too many times."
The children had suffered severe abuse over an extended period. Mary was starved, tased, beaten, and kept in a dog kennel.
Surveillance footage presented during the trial showed disturbing images of Mary, emaciated and disheveled, with her hair cut off.
Neighbors reported that she was often seen doing yard work alone, far from the usual activities of other children her age.
Wright's confession, along with the text messages, shed light on the horrifying events that led to the children's deaths. The messages also revealed that the couple had plans to go to the movies after the murder was carried out.
The investigation uncovered other troubling details, including web searches on Crocker Sr.’s phone asking what happens if a child ingests bleach and how to bury a dog in the yard.
The family’s disturbing history, including past reports of abuse and mandatory counseling after allegations in 2012 and 2013, was also revealed.
Effingham County police began investigating the family after a concerned neighbor raised alarm over Mary’s wellbeing.
During the search of the home, Crocker Sr.'s third child, an 11-year-old boy with cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, was found alive and was taken into state care.
The community was left shaken by the crime, with the town's coroner calling it a "very unusual crime" for the rural area. Crocker Sr., who had worked as a Walmart Santa Claus, was reportedly searching for incest pornography on his phone at the time, further disturbing revelations about his character.
Mark Wright, who was charged with second-degree murder, cruelty to children, and several other counts, pleaded guilty in August 2025. As part of a plea deal, he avoided the death penalty and will serve a prison sentence of 10 to 80 years. His sentencing is scheduled for October.
Meanwhile, pre-trial hearings continue for Elwyn Crocker Sr., Candice Crocker, and Kim Wright.