Operation Catch a Toe: The 11-Year Hunt for Tammy Myers’s Killer
This article follows the heartbreaking story of Tammy Myers, a devoted mother who vanished in 2006. Her disappearance left three young children behind and set off an 11-year search for answers. It tells the story of how her daughter, Nicki Myers Bates, grew from a traumatized little girl into a determined woman on a mission for justice.
Her story, along with the shocking confession and capture of William Greer, serves as a powerful reminder of love, loss, and resilience. With help from media attention and a strange clue—a missing toe—justice finally came, though the journey is far from over.
A Family’s Nightmare Begins
Tammy Myers was a loving mom of three, living in Spring, Texas. Around the holidays in 2006, her life took a tragic turn. Tammy was dating a man named William Greer. Their relationship was rocky. Her family had noticed bruises. There were signs of fear. Tammy wanted a fresh start. She wanted a safer home for her kids.
Then, just days before Christmas, Tammy disappeared.
Her children woke up to find her gone. No note. No explanation. Her truck was later found, but Tammy wasn’t inside. Her family feared the worst. And they were right.
A Dashcam Confession with No Justice
Not long after Tammy vanished, deputies found William Greer sitting alone in his truck, drunk. What came next was chilling. On a police dashcam, Greer said the gun just went off. He said he watched her die. He said he was sorry. The words were clear, but the law said otherwise.
Without a body or physical evidence, police couldn’t hold him. They let him go. And just like that, Greer vanished. No one knew where he went. Tammy’s kids were left with no answers. Her family was devastated. Her daughter Nicki couldn’t believe it. The man who said he killed her mom was gone—and free.
Growing Up with Heartache
Nicki Myers was only seven when her world came crashing down. One day, she had her mom. The next day, she didn’t. Every Christmas reminded her of the loss. Every birthday. Every milestone. While other kids smiled for family photos, Nicki’s smile faded. She carried pain every day.
But even through grief, she grew stronger. She promised herself she would one day find the man who took her mother away. She wouldn’t stop until he was caught. Nicki became more than a daughter. She became a fighter.
Operation Catch a Toe Begins
For years, there was silence. Then one small clue changed everything.
People remembered something odd about William Greer. He was missing a toe. That detail stuck in the minds of law enforcement. They came up with a plan and gave it a name:
Operation Catch a Toe.
The missing toe became the clue that could finally bring Greer down. It was rare enough to be useful. Police hoped someone out there would notice and call in a tip. They were right to expect.
Media Shines a Light
As time passed, the case gained new attention. TV shows covered Tammy’s story. Reporters shared Nicki’s heartbreak. The dashcam video resurfaced. Millions of people watched it. And finally, someone spotted Greer, living a quiet life in Mexico.
He had changed his name and grown older, but one thing hadn’t changed: he was still missing that same toe. That one detail confirmed everything. Undercover officers moved in. After 11 long years, the man who once confessed to killing Tammy was in handcuffs.
Justice was finally catching up.
Facing the Courtroom
Back in Texas, Greer faced the court. The case took time. The COVID pandemic delayed hearings. But Nicki waited patiently. She had already waited most of her life. In 2023, William Greer finally pleaded guilty, not to murder, but to second-degree manslaughter.
The courtroom was filled with emotions. Tammy’s family wanted a murder charge. However, without her body, proving that the charge was difficult. In the end, Greer received a 20-year prison sentence. It wasn’t enough for Nicki, but it was something. At last, the man who took her mom’s life was behind bars.
The Search for Tammy’s Body
Even after Greer’s conviction, one heartbreaking fact remains: Tammy’s body is still missing. Her family has no grave to visit. No place to say goodbye. That pain pushes Nicki every day.
She organizes search efforts. She uses old maps and clues from past tips. She works with volunteers and search dogs. One day, the dogs picked up a scent in the woods. Nicki felt a spark of hope. But the land was too rough to dig deep. She had to pause the search.
Still, she hasn’t stopped. Nicki says every free moment she has goes to finding her mother. The search is slow, but she’s never giving up.
The Power of a Daughter’s Love
Nicki’s journey is more than just a crime story. It’s a love story—a daughter’s love for her mother. A girl who lost everything, yet refused to give up. She turned pain into purpose.
Through her tears, she helped lead a search. She kept the story alive. She forced the world to remember Tammy’s name. And now, she’s helping other families too—families who are also searching, grieving, and hoping.
Why This Story Matters
Tammy’s case is about more than one family. It shines a light on domestic violence. It shows how justice can fail without a body. It reminds us that some victims stay hidden unless someone fights for them.
Nicki’s strength sends a message: don’t look away. Don’t forget the missing. Don’t ignore the quiet signs of abuse. Because behind each name is a family that still feels the loss.
Final Words
Tammy Myers vanished just days before Christmas, leaving a hole that never healed. Her killer ran free for over a decade. But her daughter never stopped searching. Due to her courage, a fugitive was apprehended. Because of her love, a mother’s story lives on.
The fight isn’t over. Tammy still hasn’t come home. But one thing is sure—her daughter’s voice is louder than ever. And that voice, filled with heartbreak and hope, will keep shouting until her mother is found.
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