Liam Dunham is the ex-husband of Dr. Samantha Ryan and the father of Parker Ryan. During the Season 9 finale episode, Till Death Do Us Part (episode), Dunham was released from federal prison on a bogus technicality thanks to a judge who had been brided by terrorist Harper Dearing to stop Dr. Ryan from investigating Dearing who was responsible for numerous attacks against personnel associated with the United States Navy. With no options left, Dr. Ryan was forced to go on the run with Parker while also breaking up with NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs for good.