Family Uncovers Dark Family Secret in Long Island Basement

On Halloween Eve 2018, Michael Carroll’s son felt an unsettling chill when the shovel struck what appeared to be rags and bones in their basement.

Chris Carroll and his brother Mike Jr. had been excavating their family home in Lake Grove, Long Island, New York, for months. The chief who initially oversaw the digging had recently suffered a stroke, making it difficult for him to assist.

“Dad, I think we found something,” Chris remarked, unaware that they had uncovered the skeletal remains of their grandfather, George Carroll, who had vanished nearly fifty years prior.

This extensive excavation is featured in a new true-crime documentary titled “The Secrets We Bury,” set to debut on Investigation Discovery on December 16th.

Director Patricia E. Gillespie learned about the Carroll family’s search through a local newspaper article. Intrigued, she initiated her own investigation, quickly connecting with Mike.

“I met Mike just days after he unearthed his father’s mystery,” Gillespie recounted. “Our chemistry was instant. After our meeting, he guided me to the basement. There was still a massive hole, and I thought, ‘Wow, what a great guy he is.’”

“For years, many labeled Mike and his sister Jean Kennedy as delusional,” she continued. “They often heard comments like, ‘Why don’t you just accept that your father left?'”

“Unraveling this puzzle led to countless other secrets and mysteries,” Gillespie reflected.

George, a veteran of the Korean War, disappeared in 1963 when Michael was just eight months old. Their mother, Dorothy Carroll, would often say that George went out for a smoke and “never came back.” There were rumors suggesting he might have started a new life with someone he met in South Korea. The documentary clarifies that George was never officially reported missing.

“He returned from the war to a home full of kids,” Gillespie noted. “That generation didn’t have the same conversations about mental health. For George, adjusting to life at home would have been tough.”

In a quest for answers, Jean, a strong believer in the supernatural, consulted a psychic in 2010. Although Michael was initially skeptical, he eventually went along with it.

The psychic claimed that George had been murdered and buried in the basement. The family had purchased the home from their mother in 1993, and Dorothy passed away from cancer in 1998.

“Jean characterized it as a ‘long distance call’ to her mother,” Gillespie said. “Losing loved ones often leaves a void, and she felt psychics could bridge that gap.”

According to the documentary, George’s brother also suspected foul play regarding George’s disappearance.

As the brothers delved deeper, they held onto their mother’s legacy, even as family secrets and darker memories emerged. Dorothy married Richard Dulles, a handyman George had hired. The couple divorced in 1983 after having a son, Richie. Michael and his siblings accused Dulles of being abusive.

“Richie, who appeared in the film, found himself in a difficult position,” Gillespie remarked.

When Michael found George, the first media coverage painted Dorothy harshly. Yet, Gillespie observed how fiercely the siblings defended her, despite their family turmoil. “There were complexities within the family that might never be fully understood,” she noted.

On October 25, 2019, George received military honors during his burial at Long Island National Cemetery. Unfortunately, authorities may never completely unravel the mystery of his death.

“Recently, Mike shared a photo with me,” Gillespie said. “They’ve finally filled the hole in the basement. We’ve done what we needed for them and for ourselves.” This tale isn’t just about a man’s disappearance; it’s about family, love, and hidden truths.

The documentary “The Secrets We Bury” will premiere on December 16th at 9 PM on ID and will also be available for streaming on HBO Max.