Dale Cardwell
Appearances
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 3. Hiding
Relay to us that it was an accident, and he made a few comments to the effect that he wanted us to be sure that we knew it was an accident.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
Listen to all episodes of Deadly Fortune ad-free right now by subscribing to The Binge. Visit The Binge channel on Apple Podcasts and hit subscribe at the top of the page or visit GetTheBinge.com to get access wherever you listen. The Binge, feature true crime obsession. The ranch was Tex and Diane McIver's 85-acre estate in Edenton, just outside of Atlanta.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
Diane's childhood had been tough on her, too, and as a little girl, her dad broke her heart.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
And her mom had gone through many tumultuous marriages, causing deeply painful scars for Diane.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
But Diane was her own woman. She was strong, tough. And now she was on her own and doing well. One thing was for sure, she was definitely not looking for love. Until one day when a man in her Buckhead apartment complex asked her out in a letter he left by her door. He signed his name, Claude Lee McIver. Tex.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
It's 1999, and Tex McIver looks like a cowboy and a lawyer. A cowboy lawyer. Big hat and belt buckle. He's not tall, but he always stands out in his boots. He's working as a partner at Fisher Phillips, one of the big law firms, as a labor attorney. Tex found himself as a rainmaker in that law firm. Tex was gregarious. Everybody loved him. He was a fun guy to be around.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
It was part of Tex's job to know people. He was named to the Judicial Nominations Committee for Governor Perdue. He vetted potential judges. He suggested judges to the governor. The governor very often followed through with Tex's suggestions. If you want to be a Superior Court judge, you needed to know Tex McIver.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
Tex had real power and tentacles to a good number of people that were in real power positions. Tex went big in his red-hot relationship with Diane, too, purchasing what he said was a beautiful $60,000 ring for Diane. The two would be married in a spectacular ceremony. Rachel Stiles, one of Diane's close friends, planned the huge event.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
But tonight, things were good, and Danny Joe was acting as the designated driver, taking Diane and Tex to Atlanta after their dinner in the McIvers Ford Expedition SUV. Diane was the passenger. Tex sat behind her. As they approached the connector, traffic was backed up for miles.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
This would be a one-of-a-kind wedding spectacle, just the way Diane wanted it.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
Tex and Diane's relationship was often a battle of wills. Two strong-minded individuals married later in life, each with their own ambitions.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
Tex served as Billy's attorney on the airport suit against the city. Billy needed Tex, but there was somewhat of an adversarial relationship because Billy continually thought Tex was overcharging him. He thought Fisher Phillips was billing too much for the work they were doing, and this created tension between Tex and Diane since Diane worked for Billy. And Billy and Diane would blow up.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
She'd say, we're not paying this. This is crazy. You take this back and you need to get your pencil out and sharpen it because this isn't going to fly. In the process of my developing friendship with Billy Corey, it was here that I met Diane, who was president at Billy's company and her husband Tex. I was welcomed into this inner circle of power players and a true cast of characters.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
I became the ad hoc media advisor to Billy Corey, which meant I was the ad hoc media advisor to his circle of friends. As a result, I got to know Diane. I got to know Tex. We socialized together. I had an interesting history and I knew a lot of people. They knew a lot of people. They loved having influence in the community. They frequently asked me, what do you think if we did this?
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
What reaction would that get? Tex was constantly trying to get into the Atlantic Journal Constitution. He would call me and say, hey, I'm running in my 35th Peachtree Road race. Can you get someone to do a story on me? Billy Corey owned a condominium in Buckhead in the same complex as Tex and Diane, just a couple of floors apart.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
On a Tuesday afternoon after work or on a Friday evening, we would all go over to the condo and have a glass of wine.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
Often, Roy Mitchell, known lovingly as Cowboy Roy, would come and play country music for us. Those events were business because often Billy had clients there and they were often just family, just hanging out, eating good food. Here's Cowboy Roy.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
I remember it well. Cowboy Roy and I never missed a beat. And me? Well, I was an interloper. I felt like Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby. I was the guy that lived in the boathouse. I was Tom from The Godfather, the only non-Italian that was in the circle. I was this guy that didn't seem to belong, but I belonged anyway. I think it was because of my media credentials.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
They respected that I'd been around the block a few times, and they ran things by me all the time, especially business incentives and adventures. And so we just all got along. This was a new money crowd. They worked hard for it, and they spent it like new money.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
It was also a great big family, and it was absolutely the way it was until September 25, 2016. That night, a stunning series of events would change the lives of our circle of friends forever. Tex McIver had shot his wife Diane in the SUV that fateful night and would embark on a baffling series of gaffes and conflicting stories that would ultimately send him to prison for the death of Diane.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
But our story doesn't end there. Tex McGyver is alone, and he's lonely. Right now, he's in the Augusta State Medical Prison. The prison's less than 30 minutes away from the legendary Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters. But today, there's no chance of him hitting the links. He's been in and out of jails and prisons for years now.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
It's felt like whiplash as he's gone through so many trials and so many transfers. But here at Augusta State Medical Prison, his belt buckle and cowboy hat are just former comforts. Stuck wearing prison issued scrubs every single day. The last few years have not been easy.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
But now, Tex finally knows the day he'll get out of prison. And things are looking good. Really good. You see, despite his current accommodations and circumstances, Tex has much to look forward to, finally. Once he's out, Tex could transform back into a millionaire overnight.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
What you might not know, well, only a few insiders actually do know, is that, incredibly, Tex is set to inherit Diane's fortune, the woman he killed once he's out. In fact, even before he's let out in early 2025, the money has already started flowing. And there's nothing anyone can do about it.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
Unlock all episodes of Deadly Fortune ad-free right now by subscribing to the Binge Podcast channel. Not only will you immediately unlock all episodes of this show, but you'll get binge access to an entire network of other great true crime and investigative podcasts, all ad-free. Plus, on the first of every month, subscribers get a binge drop of a brand new series that's all episodes, all at once.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
Search for The Binge on Apple Podcasts and hit subscribe at the top of the page. Not on Apple? Head to getthebinge.com to get access wherever you listen. Deadly Fortune is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Waveland Road. I'm your host and reporter, Dale Cardwell. Jason Hoke wrote and produced the series. Our associate producer is Marnie Zambri.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
Production support provided by Tim Millard. Audio engineering by Shane Freeman. The original score for Deadly Fortune is by Thomas Avery. Jason Hoke is the executive producer on behalf of Waveland Road. Executive producers for Sony Music Entertainment are Jonathan Hirsch and Catherine St. Louis. If you love the show, tell your friends and don't forget to leave a review. Thanks for listening.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
The place is spectacular, surrounded by a beautiful white fence and stone columns, and woods for miles to ride horses. The ranch is truly beautiful and totally fit with who Diane and Tex were. hanging on the wall, a sign that said, We don't dial 911, with an old rusted pistol mounted right under.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
I was in San Francisco, California on September 26, 2016. My phone rings at 5 in the morning. It's Billy Corey. He said, Dale, there's been a tragic accident. Diane is gone. There's been a tragic firearms accident. Diane is no longer with us. She's dead. From Sony Music Entertainment and Waveland Road, you're listening to Deadly Fortune. This is Episode 1, Tex and Diane.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
My name is Dale Cardwell. I cut my teeth as an investigative reporter in Atlanta, often chasing down public figures with much to say, but also much to hide. I've run all over the city in a news van chasing scammers, liars, and downright bad people. One reporting run proved to be faithful.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
I was working on a story about a controversial airport advertising plan at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, full of lawsuits and money. And there, I met a man named Billy Corey, a well-known businessman and behind-the-scenes political power broker and kingmaker. That day, Billy Corey encouraged me to go after that story. We struck up a friendship and continued to stay in touch over the years.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
As I continued on in my career, I imagined I had my own set of superpowers and decided to set off in a new direction. I quit my local TV gig at WSB TV in Atlanta and ran for the U.S. Senate. I'm Dale Cardwell. You may know me from my 23 years as an investigative reporter, but for the past year, I've been...
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
Danny Joe Carter had been out at the ranch on September 25, 2016, and Danny Joe, Diane, Tex, and Craig Stringer laughed for a night of steaks, red wine, and laughter at the Longhorn Steakhouse. This was a nice outing for the friends, especially for Danny Joe and Diane, who were still working on repairing old wounds of some bumpy moments in their friendship.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
As I was driving in Atlanta thinking about my campaign and what I could do to really make a splash, I passed by Corrie Tower and I had an idea. I made an appointment with Mr. Corey, sat in his office, and told him I wanted to spend as much time as I possibly can camping out on the top of your tower to make a big splash.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
Something that would be picked up not by just the local media, but everywhere. I wanted to go viral before that was a thing. Billy Corey said it was okay. Go for it. He owned the tower after all. The tower stands 300 feet tall, located right at what locals call the connector heading north into Atlanta from the airport.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
It's across from Grady Hospital and just around the bend from what used to be Turner Field, the former home of the Atlanta Braves. A bit of a relic from the 60s version of Atlanta, the tower was originally created by Georgia Power as part of a steam plant operation that powered local homes. Today, over one million people drive by the tower each day.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
And that's why Billy Corey bought it back in 1994, as an advertising and billboard opportunity. I fought through the rain, the sun, and freezing temperatures for seven days and seven nights to promote my campaign. Once I was atop the tower, my bright idea met with reality, a soul-sucking race to nowhere.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
I imagine David Letterman picking up on this, or Leno, or any number of outfits in Hollywood. I would be known not just in every living room in Georgia, but nationwide. It would be my peanut-pushing moment. But as they say, timing is everything. And doing this all during a writer's strike was ill-timed.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
The only thing I caught during those seven days was a cold. Though I lost the race, I won the respect of Billy Corey for my audacious swing into politics. Little did I know our paths would continue to cross in unexpected ways in the coming years.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
Danny Joe Carter was Diane's best friend before she became Diane McIver, the two having met when Danny Joe worked at a nail salon where Diane would come in often.
The Binge Crimes: Finding Mom's Killer
Deadly Fortune | 1. Tex and Diane
The two shared so much together. Diane had been through a lot. She had been in a bad marriage and had finally escaped filing for divorce.