I thought about this case, earlier. Can someone refresh my memory? I know it was late 80s or very early 90s. I want to say the value of whatever computer stuff it was was somewhere around 25,000 dollars. Two people had the stuff and had put out an ad, to which someone replied. They met at a motel (I think?), and the person killed one or both of them, and took the items. Can anyone tell me anything about this?

I thought about this case, earlier. Can someone refresh my memory? I know it was late 80s or very early 90s. I want to say the value of whatever computer stuff it was was somewhere around 25,000 dollars. Two people had the stuff and had put out an ad, to which someone replied. They met at a motel (I think?), and the person killed one or both of them, and took the items. Can anyone tell me anything about this?

Yep. The suspect's alias was Tom Johnson. The victims were Jeremy Rolf and Heather Uffelman, both students at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. Tom Johnson answered an ad placed by Jeremy's company and the crime was committed at a motel Johnson was staying at in Marietta, GA. Pretty sure it was around 1990 or '91.

Yep. The suspect's alias was Tom Johnson. The victims were Jeremy Rolf and Heather Uffelman, both students at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. Tom Johnson answered an ad placed by Jeremy's company and the crime was committed at a motel Johnson was staying at in Marietta, GA. Pretty sure it was around 1990 or '91.

YES! Thank you, Meg! :wave:

The four saddest aspects of this are:

1. That oh-so "valuable" computer that Heather was needlessly killed for and Jeremy almost, would be absolutely worthless now (or even by the late 90s). Even a dumbphone can do more than that laughable clunker!
2. That Tom was even able to fool them and get away with a brutal murder to begin with.
3. That Jeremy was such a wimp and actually let he & his fiance get pushed around by a little weasel who needed weapons to be tough.
4. Jeremy died in a car accident just a few years later in 1997 while volunteering in South America.

1. That oh-so "valuable" computer that Heather was needlessly killed for and Jeremy almost, would be absolutely worthless now (or even by the late 90s). Even a dumbphone can do more than that laughable clunker!

I researched this once. The computer was a MacIntosh Quadra 900. Today you can pick one up a fully functioning model for about $25.00, if that.


2. That Tom was even able to fool them and get away with a brutal murder to begin with.
3. That Jeremy was such a wimp and actually let he & his fiance get pushed around by a little weasel who needed weapons to be tough.

To speak to these points, Johnson by all accounts was smooth as stone. I'm not sure I wouldn't have believed him--he looked and sounded the part to a T.

I'm not sure what Jeremy was "supposed" to do in this situation, especially since Johnson had a handgun (or a replica, or whatever--Jeremy and Heather didn't have the luxury of ascertaining whether the thing was real or not). I figure Jeremy felt their best chances for survival were to not put up resistance. I don't think he's a wimp. I think he simply selected what he thought at the time was the optimal choice for ensuring their survival.

I'm not sure what Jeremy was "supposed" to do in this situation, especially since Johnson had a handgun (or a replica, or whatever--Jeremy and Heather didn't have the luxury of ascertaining whether the thing was real or not). I figure Jeremy felt their best chances for survival were to not put up resistance. I don't think he's a wimp. I think he simply selected what he thought at the time was the optimal choice for ensuring their survival.

I agree. It's easy to say "He should've acted," after the fact, knowing the outcome. But I'm sure that the thinking that both he and Heather had was that "If we just do as he says, we'll be ok." Sadly, they were wrong...

I object to the classification of Jeremy as wimp.

If Henry Rollins couldn't save his best friend (and he's Henry freaking Rollins) why do you fault Jeremy Rolfs for being a victim.

And, for the record, he died serving our country in the Peace Corps in Lesotho, not South America. The accident itself occurred in South Africa, but he was assigned to Lesotho.

While not mentioned as frequently as members of the armed forces, diplomats and Peace Corps Volunteers also put their lives on the line for the good of our country and others. And they deserve the same respect.

To speak to these points, Johnson by all accounts was smooth as stone. I'm not sure I wouldn't have believed him--he looked and sounded the part to a T.

I'm not sure what Jeremy was "supposed" to do in this situation, especially since Johnson had a handgun (or a replica, or whatever--Jeremy and Heather didn't have the luxury of ascertaining whether the thing was real or not). I figure Jeremy felt their best chances for survival were to not put up resistance. I don't think he's a wimp. I think he simply selected what he thought at the time was the optimal choice for ensuring their survival.

That's very true, Meg. (And, for the record, you're somebody that I deeply respect and care about your opinions.)

I guess we all have to remember we're looking it this through the lens of observers after the fact. We've all had times in our own lives (me for sure), where we drew a blank at the time, and later thought: Oh man, if only I'd said/done that! Plus, the real event might've gone down slightly different than the re-enactment. The hindsight is always 20/20 too, I can't imagine how Jeremy must've felt to himself the several years after he survived and Heather didn't. :(

I hope I didn't sound insensitive, it certainly wasn't my intent. I'd definitely be scared s***less in his shoes too. I just cringe in the segment when Jeremy goes "Why'd you do this, Tom, why'd you lie?" The man playing Tom didn't exactly look like a stereotypical tough guy. I'd be so tempted to say (especially if I was with a girlfriend/fiance I loved very much and would want to protect) something like, "Hey you nerdy little weasel, let's see how much of a man you really are without that gun! Leave her alone and if you want to do something, fight me with your hands, punk!" :lol:

Makes me think of this line:

"If I am gonna get busted, it is NOT gonna be by a guy like that!"
-Ferris Bueller.

The four saddest aspects of this are:

1. That oh-so "valuable" computer that Heather was needlessly killed for and Jeremy almost, would be absolutely worthless now (or even by the late 90s). Even a dumbphone can do more than that laughable clunker!
2. That Tom was even able to fool them and get away with a brutal murder to begin with.
3. That Jeremy was such a wimp and actually let he & his fiance get pushed around by a little weasel who needed weapons to be tough.
4. Jeremy died in a car accident just a few years later in 1997 while volunteering in South America.

They were in my RATV department at MTSU. This happened my junior year. 1991/92. The computer, at the time, was the first of its kind that had video editing capability. Very state of the art, for it's time. Heather was moaning, and that is why Tom kept hitting her. Jeremy was not a wimp. He was very bookish and nerdy, but very excited about the huge sell. And trusting. He never really got over this, which is what led him to the Peace Corp. Sad.

They were in my RATV department at MTSU. This happened my junior year. 1991/92. The computer, at the time, was the first of its kind that had video editing capability. Very state of the art, for it's time. Heather was moaning, and that is why Tom kept hitting her. Jeremy was not a wimp. He was very bookish and nerdy, but very excited about the huge sell. And trusting. He never really got over this, which is what led him to the Peace Corp. Sad.

Thanks for your input. I'm sorry for your loss. Jeremy and Heather both seemed like such nice, gentle people.

We've debated this case on the boards for well over a decade. Given that you are from the area, have there been any recent developments on this? Any idea who the suspect "Tom" actually was?

And yeah, I know we knock the Mac Quattra NOW, but I remember seeing this segment as it first aired and thinking, "Holy crap. That's a nice computer." I realize that my cell phone probably has more memory now than that computer did, but that's technology for you...

Thanks for your input. I'm sorry for your loss. Jeremy and Heather both seemed like such nice, gentle people.

We've debated this case on the boards for well over a decade. Given that you are from the area, have there been any recent developments on this? Any idea who the suspect "Tom" actually was?

And yeah, I know we knock the Mac Quattra NOW, but I remember seeing this segment as it first aired and thinking, "Holy crap. That's a nice computer." I realize that my cell phone probably has more memory now than that computer did, but that's technology for you...


There was a rumor that "Tom Johnson" was actually Tom Steeples who was a criminal in that area and timeframe(forget what he was wanted/convicted of) but he died short term after the murder was commited. So he was never really looked at

There was a rumor that "Tom Johnson" was actually Tom Steeples who was a criminal in that area and timeframe(forget what he was wanted/convicted of) but he died short term after the murder was commited. So he was never really looked at

I remember that! From what I can recall, the online sleuthing was pretty compelling on that. Just curious as to what the locals thought. :)

Are there any pictures of this Steeples anywhere? Cannot find any.

There was a rumor that "Tom Johnson" was actually Tom Steeples who was a criminal in that area and timeframe(forget what he was wanted/convicted of) but he died short term after the murder was commited. So he was never really looked at

Jeremy spent the year after the murder in his house. Literally. So if Tom Steeples was believed to be the guy, Im sure Jeremy was shown a lineup.

There was a rumor that "Tom Johnson" was actually Tom Steeples who was a criminal in that area and timeframe(forget what he was wanted/convicted of) but he died short term after the murder was commited. So he was never really looked at

He murdered & then set fire to a bar owner. Incredibly he was out on bond for this awaiting trial when he fooled a gullible young couple looking to become country music stars, he convinced them he was a producer, having befriended them he went to their hotel room, tied up & murdered the man & then when the woman got out of the shower raped & murdered her.

I don't mean to insult Jeremy, his girlfriend, or anyone else, but was there ever any proof of a third party being at the scene of this crime or was this account of what happened all coming from Jeremy Rolf?

Well for one thing Jeremy was beaten pretty badly over the head with a hammer.

I don't mean to insult Jeremy, his girlfriend, or anyone else, but was there ever any proof of a third party being at the scene of this crime or was this account of what happened all coming from Jeremy Rolf?

Interesting. Are you implying that perhaps Jeremy did this all himself?

I don't buy this theory, but if it's what you're thinking, I'm interested to know why.

Seems pretty unlikely-there was the physical assault inflicted on him which would have been impossible to do to himself due to the ferocity & eyewitnesses who saw the three together as they were putting the computer in this guys car as I recall.

That's right. I forgot that there was an eyewitness and that Jeremy was also injured. I was thinking that he remained unharmed in the attack.

That's right. I forgot that there was an eyewitness and that Jeremy was also injured. I was thinking that he remained unharmed in the attack.
Yeah that makes sense if he were not attacked. It def would have been on him to explain a lot. He was a victim of a brutal physical attack. He was fortunate to survive. I read that he also passed away later in a car accident.

I don't believe for a second Jeremy Rolf inflicted those horrific injuries on himself or fatally wounded his partner.

That's right. I forgot that there was an eyewitness and that Jeremy was also injured. I was thinking that he remained unharmed in the attack.

IIRC, UM made reference to a woman that tried to let the hotel staff know there was some kind of (what I think the woman called) a disturbance, or emergency. The staff indicated it tended not to get involved in such issues. UM then went onto speculate that perhaps this woman knew the suspect, and was trying to foil the crime.

If it was a woman who did not know the perpetrator, and was just a hotel guest who had just overheard/saw something that bothered her, she could have checked out of the hotel before the crime happened and taken a car, bus, flight, anywhere in the country or even the world and not even realize something truly happened or that her "services" of what she heard/saw are needed.

Not everyone is a UM fan. Further in 1992, when this crime happened, it would not be as easy for her to go online and search a few keywords to see if anything came of her hunch.

Finding her would have been/would be a tremendous help to the case.

IIRC, UM made reference to a woman that tried to let the hotel staff know there was some kind of (what I think the woman called) a disturbance, or emergency. The staff indicated it tended not to get involved in such issues. UM then went onto speculate that perhaps this woman knew the suspect, and was trying to foil the crime.

If it was a woman who did not know the perpetrator, and was just a hotel guest who had just overheard/saw something that bothered her, she could have checked out of the hotel before the crime happened and taken a car, bus, flight, anywhere in the country or even the world and not even realize something truly happened or that her "services" of what she heard/saw are needed.

Not everyone is a UM fan. Further in 1992, when this crime happened, it would not be as easy for her to go online and search a few keywords to see if anything came of her hunch.

Finding her would have been/would be a tremendous help to the case.

I think the woman may have been an accomplice who got cold feet, Johnson may have killed her too, who knows? I think getting a photograph of this Tom Steeples character would determine whether or not Johnson is still out there.

Does anyone know which State Steeples commited his crimes at?

I think the woman may have been an accomplice who got cold feet, Johnson may have killed her too, who knows? I think getting a photograph of this Tom Steeples character would determine whether or not Johnson is still out there.

Does anyone know which State Steeples commited his crimes at?

Nashville, TN.

Nashville, TN.

Which seems to fit, as the car Tom Johnson was driving had a Tennessee license plate.

Which seems to fit, as the car Tom Johnson was driving had a Tennessee license plate.

Would be great if there was any pictures of him, damn the pre internet days

So I was looking up information about Tom Steeples and I found that there was a show on Investigation Discovery that had an episode about him. Luckily, the show and the episode are on the forbidden site, this episode is called "Dead of Night - I Die to Pieces". I've attached a picture of Tom Steeples that they show in the episode.

I'm not really good with faces and comparisons haha. So what does everyone think?
Edit: added a clearer picture of him

Good find, yeah I think with the mustache shaved & the hair styled differently he would be a decent fit to the UM photofit. Also that Steeples owned his own computer company adds some potential motive for him to have this computer.

I just finished watching the episode. I think there's a strong possibility Tom Johnson and Tom Steeples are one and the same. If that's true, I find it interesting that Johnson had Jeremy and Heather meet him out of state. Murfreesboro, where Jeremy and Heather attended college, is literally minutes east of Nashville. I wonder if this could've been an attempt to cover his tracks, so to speak.

Good find, yeah I think with the mustache shaved & the hair styled differently he would be a decent fit to the UM photofit. Also that Steeples owned his own computer company adds some potential motive for him to have this computer.

I'm not surprised he has ties to Nashville. I remember awhile back, I posted that the computer would probably appeal to someone based out of that area since the computer was designed for music video editing. There are exactly two cities in the U.S. that put out lots of music videos: Nashville and Los Angeles.

I think Tom would have been caught had he lived long enough. There would have been an extremely limited amount of people in Nashville with that computer. Unless he just planned on never using it, but that doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

So I was looking up information about Tom Steeples and I found that there was a show on Investigation Discovery that had an episode about him. Luckily, the show and the episode are on the forbidden site, this episode is called "Dead of Night - I Die to Pieces". I've attached a picture of Tom Steeples that they show in the episode.

I'm not really good with faces and comparisons haha. So what does everyone think?
Edit: added a clearer picture of him

Argh! He has "dead eyes," which is what I call people who have eyes that don't reflect any sort of humanity in them.

A friend of mine made a VERY compelling argument to me this weekend that "Tom" and Tom Steeples are one and the same, for a lot of reasons already posted. I think you're all probably correct: He's the guy.

Argh! He has "dead eyes," which is what I call people who have eyes that don't reflect any sort of humanity in them.

A friend of mine made a VERY compelling argument to me this weekend that "Tom" and Tom Steeples are one and the same, for a lot of reasons already posted. I think you're all probably correct: He's the guy.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Steeples deceased? Also, I wonder if the police have "Johnson's" DNA or fingerprints?

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Steeples deceased? Also, I wonder if the police have "Johnson's" DNA or fingerprints?

He is deceased. I'm not sure if there are fingerprints/DNA...

I remember quite a few years ago, somebody on here posted about Tom Steeples likely being Tom Johnson. It was a very compelling theory.

Did anyone ever question Steeples' wife/girlfriend? Someone did try to warn the hotel that something bad was about to happen. If she's still alive and willing to tell the truth now, this may be able to be moved into the "solved" bin.

Yeah Steeples def looks similar to Johnson, it sucks that all three parties of the case, the killer and both victims are deceased, would investigators open the case?

Also, if the allege accomplice was his girlfriend/wife i doubt she would talk, however it would be interesting to see if she looks similar to Steeples girlfriend/wife.