Lucille ‘Lucy’ Duncan, James Pruitt: Oxygen ‘Snapped’ Airs Mafia-Style Execution Of Man Found Dead In Woods

Lucille Duncan, also known as Lucy Duncan, helped her brother, Gerald Duncan, kill her ex-boyfriend, James Pruitt. Now, the case is coming to the Oxygen Network for an episode of Snapped. James Pruitt’s dead body was found in the woods more than 10 years ago in Columbia, Missouri. Snapped’s episode includes interviews with Alan Burdziak, a journalist for the Columbia Daily Tribune, Melinda Kidder, a private investigator, Christina Chaney, James Pruitt’s daughter, and law enforcement detectives.

James Pruitt disappeared in July of 2003. His body was discovered in the woods after a man found a bag of bloody clothes on his property. The Gleason Road caller lived on a dead end street surrounded by woods.

When officers arrived at the scene, they searched the back woods and discovered a bloody trail and drag marks that led them to the body of a white male, who was identified as James Pruitt, 44. The remains were transported for autopsy. The medical examiner determined that Pruitt had been shot in the back of the head. The killing was carried out execution style.

Authorities said James Pruitt was last at his trailer at the Green Hills Mobile Home Park, where he lived with his mother. At some time during the night, Pruitt received a phone call from his ex-girlfriend, Lucy Duncan. Later, someone came to the home and knocked on the door. Police believe that Lucille Duncan lured James Pruitt out of his home under the guise of celebrating the holiday at the river, according to the Columbia Tribune.

https://www.facebook.com/CrimeTimeOnOxygen/photos/a.463869190309476.121706.193083094054755/906735832689474/?type=3&permPage=1

However, James had no idea that he was walking into a trap. On Snapped, viewers will see video footage of the interrogation between police investigators and Lucy Duncan. They believed she was the only one with the greatest motive to kill James Pruitt.

Before the murder, James Pruitt and Lucille Duncan had been very much in love before the relationship took a drastic dive. Then, the couple endured a tumultuous relationship tainted by domestic abuse, according to Lucille Duncan. The story was James had hit her, and he was finally going to get what he deserved.

James Pruitt’s daughter, Holly, doesn’t believe that her father was abusive. Although court records show that he did have a criminal record. Holly Pruitt told the Columbia Tribune that her father wanted to change his life and that he was on a positive trajectory.

“The allegations of abuse are false. For one thing, James Pruitt never hit Holly’s mother, Audrey Pruitt, over their 22-year relationship and 18-year marriage. If you’re not going to have an abusive side to you in 22 years, I don’t think you’re going to.”

https://www.facebook.com/oxygennetwork/photos/a.449547867747.244533.88329442747/10155284266097748/?type=3&permPage=1

Authorities also say her brother Gerald Duncan helped her carry out the murder. The bond between the brother and sister was strong. Gerald Duncan was the type of man who didn’t allow people to mess with his family. At trial, Lucille Duncan’s 14-year-old son, Jeremiah Robertson, told jurors he witnessed the killing. He also told the court how the deadly deed was carried out, the Columbia Missourian stated.

“On the evening of July 4, Pruitt joined him, his mother and his uncle for a trip to ‘the river’ to set off fireworks. The four then drove to a riverbank and shot off fireworks for about four hours. He recalled seeing Lucille Duncan and Pruitt talking by the riverbank, but the conversation seemed cordial. When the last firework had been extinguished, the group headed back to the car. Lucille Duncan drove, Pruitt sat in the front passenger seat, and Robertson joined his uncle in the back seat. He later heard a pow, then a ringing. As his mother swerved the car then corrected it, Robertson said he saw Gerald Duncan lower the gun and Pruitt slump forward in the seat.”

Gerald Alan Duncan and Lucille Faith Duncan were both arrested and charged with the brutal killing. The Duncan siblings received a life sentence.

In 2004, Lucy Duncan tried to kill herself in prison.

Snapped will show that Columbia, Missouri, is a beaming college town known for its diversity and its vibrant atmosphere. The body of James Pruitt was found in the rural area surrounding the town, and it shocked local residents. Missouri investigators will explain just how they cracked the case on Snapped today at 5 p.m. Central on Oxygen.

[Featured Image by Missouri Dept. of Corrections]