It was about the college student who was dating an older woman (she was about thirty)... She was either on the administration there or a foreign exchange student. She was from Europe, maybe Czech Republic. When the guy was thrown out of the school he showed up there with a paper bag with a gun inside, then shot his gilfriend dead while she was in her car, I believe. He sent her parents a letter explaining why he murdered her. His tone in the letter was rambling and very unapologetic. Does anyone remember the names of the people involved, the country the woman was from, and if the boyfriend was ever caught for the crime. I believe this was an older case (happening in the '80's or before) broadcasted somewhere in the middle of the series, and UM doesn't always update old cases (why I don't know). Thank you in advance for any help.

The man's name is Richard Bockledge, a pharmacy school student who is accused of murdering his girlfriend Tatijana Kopric. She worked at a Kansas City hospital. The murder occured in September of 1980.

He was first profiled on UM in 1990 (I believe it was early in the 1990-91 season). America's Most Wanted did a profile on him in early 2001, but he is still on the run.

As soon as I come up with more info related to the case, I will post it. But for now, I hope this helps.

Thanks a lot, that was even more information than I was hoping to get! I knew you'd know it, though. It's ironic that the guy was hopeful pharmacist, maybe he would've prescribed some medication for himself! :crazy: Too bad Prozac came much later, it could've prevented that poor woman's life from being stolen from her. :(

I just saw this story on YouTube.

According to the segment, Tanya Kopric is from a former Yugoslavian country.

Richard Bockledge mailed Tanya's parents in Yugoslavia a letter telling them she had been executed. The letter was dated 2 days before the shooting, suggesting the shooting was premeditated. Could it be because she wouldn't help him out at the Administration department. If that is the case, why did he go back to the campus looking for that guy? UM believes he carried a gun with him to the campus. 3 hours later he went and shot Tanya.

Any new developments regarding this story??

I don't think his animosity stemmed from him being turned away in the administration office, considering he had obviously cemented his plan ahead of time. But more from having been failed by the professor and also Tanya no longer wanting to deal with him. He intended to shoot him first but was told that he had either left for the day or wasn't in. He HAD to shoot someone so being that he didn't catch up with him, by chance he saw Tanya and shot her instead.

I don't think his animosity stemmed from him being turned away in the administration office, considering he had obviously cemented his plan ahead of time. But more from having been failed by the professor and also Tanya no longer wanting to deal with him. He intended to shoot him first but was told that he had either left for the day or wasn't in. He HAD to shoot someone so being that he didn't catch up with him, by chance he saw Tanya and shot her instead.


Yes, but the letter that Bockledge sent to Yugoslavia informing Tanya's parents about her death was dated 2 DAYS BEFORE THE SHOOTING.

Yes, but the letter that Bockledge sent to Yugoslavia informing Tanya's parents about her death was dated 2 DAYS BEFORE THE SHOOTING.

She was definitely confirmed on his list. If you notice, he didn't push the issue regarding the dean for he had gotten the job done having murdered Tanya as he had planned. I think she was the main object of his anger anyway.

any updates on this?

I cant believe this guy has been on the run for 27 years. I figured he would of been caught by now. I know he was smart but I dont think he could last 27 years on the run without some help.

any updates on this?

I cant believe this guy has been on the run for 27 years. I figured he would of been caught by now. I know he was smart but I dont think he could last 27 years on the run without some help.

He was last seen in Thomson, Manitoba shortly after the murder and his car was abandoned there. After seeing this segment again the other night, I wonder if he didn't commit suicide shortly after the murder and the body was not ever found or was never identified as him. If he is still missing, I suspect that he is not in the U.S. although the cop that was interviewed believed that he was back in the United States. I just find it hard to believe that he could be gone without a trace for so long now.

It's Richard G. Bocklage, not Richard Bockledge. G stands for Gerard. He's still wanted.

W/M, 7-12-57

The Kansas City Star - September 1, 1999

19 years later, hunt goes on Richard Bocklage allegedly killed a woman in 1980
Convicted killer Alan Echols evaded the law for eight years before his capture last week, but a Kansas City man wanted for murder has avoided the law for almost two decades. Yellowing police reports tell the tale of Richard G. Bocklage, his 10-foot Burmese python and a bizarre letter foreshadowing a murder.Jackson County probably has fewer than a dozen outstanding warrants for murder, investigators say. Bocklage's case stands out because it is the oldest one with strong...

19 years later, hunt goes on Richard Bocklage allegedly killed a woman in 1980
The Kansas City Star - September 1, 1999

Convicted killer Alan Echols evaded the law for eight years before his capture last week, but a Kansas City man wanted for murder has avoided the law for almost two decades.

Yellowing police reports tell the tale of Richard G. Bocklage , his 10-foot Burmese python and a bizarre letter foreshadowing a murder.

Jackson County probably has fewer than a dozen outstanding warrants for murder, investigators say. Bocklage 's case stands out because it is the oldest one with strong evidence.

``The witnesses are ready,'' said Kevin Pose, chief investigator for the Jackson County prosecutor.

Both Echols' case and Bocklage 's involved twisted love.

Echols, of Raytown, stabbed Ronald Nichols 61 times in 1990 because he loved Nichols' wife. The next year a jury convicted Echols of first-degree murder. Before sentencing, a judge released Echols on bond, and he fled. He was arrested Aug. 24 in Louisiana and is awaiting sentencing in Jackson County.

Prosecutors contend Bocklage executed his former fiancee, Tatjana Kopric, in 1980. The case file against Bocklage contains witness statements, letters and police reports that tell this story: Kopric, 34, moved to the United States from Yugoslavia in the mid-1970s. She continued her medical education, became a doctor and started her residency at Truman Medical Center in 1980.

In March of that year, Kopric started dating Bocklage , a pharmacy student. Her friends thought it an unusual match. Bocklage was a decade younger than Kopric, and he liked watching his python eat rabbits.

Kopric's friend Louise Birt recently recalled the day Bocklage proposed. Kopric arrived at Birt's house by Loose Park, happy and excited and flashing an engagement ring.

Birt said she soon had doubts about Bocklage .

``He's very shrewd,'' she said, ``but an unusual, weird person, a conniver.''

Later in 1980, Bocklage flunked out of pharmacy school and started behaving strangely. He wanted Kopric to pay his way through medical school, and she had told him no. On Sept. 16, Bocklage angrily demanded that Kopric return the engagement ring and other gifts. The same day a letter was postmarked at a post office just blocks from Bocklage 's house. It was to Kopric's parents in Yugoslavia.

``Your daughter,'' the letter said, ``has been executed in Kansas City, Mo. She has caused so much grief, anguish, and turmoil to so many Americans that this act was necessary. ...

``Please realize the act was performed by professional assassins and that no acts of revenge are possible,'' the letter said.

``Sincerely, the People of the United States of America.''

On Sept. 17, Kopric wrote a letter to her parents telling about Bocklage and the breakup.

``He is like a fury,'' she wrote, ``totally going crazy and behaving imprudently. '' She wrote about ``Rich's feeling of inferiority and envy.''

Birt said Kopric's friends feared Bocklage would kill her, and the doctor had the locks at her apartment changed.

On Sept. 18, after her shift at Truman Medical Center, Kopric bought groceries and drove back to her apartment at 2933 Baltimore Ave. She was still in her parked car when a gunman walked up and shot her three times with a .45-caliber pistol.

Two neighbors who knew the couple were in the front yard of the apartment building. The killer then stared at them for seconds, and one woman covered her child with her body. But the killer did not shoot. He calmly walked to a car and drove away.

Both witnesses identified Bocklage as the shooter, and prosecutors filed a charge of capital murder against him.

Six days after the murder, a man in Manitoba, Canada, found Bocklage 's 1975 Oldsmobile Toronado parked on a highway. The keys were in the ignition, and a note on the steering wheel said whoever found the car could keep it. The note also said the owner had gone back to the United States.

A few days later, Bocklage 's 10-foot python was found in the tropical habitat at the Kansas City Zoo. Police speculate that one of his friends dumped the snake there.

By now, Bocklage has been featured on ``America's Most Wanted'' and ``Unsolved Mysteries. '' Police received dozens of reports of possible sightings, but none panned out. Kansas City police and the FBI are still looking for Bocklage , also known as Dick Bocklege and Dick Boch. They hope for a tip to break the case.

Bocklage , now 42, is described as white, 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds and having brown hair. He also has vertical scars under each armpit where he had sweat glands removed.

Kopric's body now lies in Croatia, and Birt visited the grave.

Birt said she still wants justice.

``He's living somewhere, maybe not very far from here,'' she said. ``He should be caught and punished.''

I worked with Dr. Kopric in Nashville in 1976 when she was a Vanderbilt Resident in OB-GYN. She was a great and wonderful person and doctor. Imagine the shock I felt when I saw her case profiled on Unsolved Mysteries.
I have kept the image of this loser boyfriend in my mind and continue to look for him in crowds. What he did was terrible and I hope he goes to hell for it.

I think there is a chance he may have gone far out into an unvisited area of the Canadian wilderness and committed suicide and hasn't been found. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police found his car in Manitoba just days after Tanya was murdered and was seen by two residents in the nearby area. The detective also said he thought Richard was back in America but I kind of disagree. He would have needed a way to get back into America without getting caught then back to Missouri or close to where he has family. I am sure it is probably harder to get through the Canadian border than the Mexican border. If he is still alive I would think he is hiding among family.

just watched this on an old tape for the first time in awhile



cant believe hes still free

I worked with Dr. Kopric in Nashville in 1976 when she was a Vanderbilt Resident in OB-GYN. She was a great and wonderful person and doctor. Imagine the shock I felt when I saw her case profiled on Unsolved Mysteries.
I have kept the image of this loser boyfriend in my mind and continue to look for him in crowds. What he did was terrible and I hope he goes to hell for it.

damn that stinks

This story aired today on Lifetime. There were no new updates.

It's amazing that if he's alive that he's been on the run for 20 years.

Maybe this loser jumped into a river and died... I sure hope so.

I think he's dead. He killed his future, killed his fiance, put those two together and I think he killed himself.

I actually think he could still be alive. From what I've read he was very close to his family, and at the time LE heavily suspected he was getting help from them while in hiding.

I actually think he could still be alive. From what I've read he was very close to his family, and at the time LE heavily suspected he was getting help from them while in hiding.

It's definitely possible. However, even if the family was actively involved to keep him in hiding, I would think that would make LE all the more involved on their end.

It's definitely possible. However, even if the family was actively involved to keep him in hiding, I would think that would make LE all the more involved on their end.

True. One would assume there might be better (and more recent) leads than what the police already have if that were the case.

I think he's dead. He killed his future, killed his fiance, put those two together and I think he killed himself.


It could be a possiblity. He wasn't able to finish university and get a grade, he also is a wanted criminal and has to hide himself from authorities.

But there are a lot of guys who can live a lot of years hiding themselves and doesn't caring for the murder they commited.

I think this guy is one of the worst scum on earth. Maybe he's hiding in Canada and working in some activity that doesn't require to register himself or giving his social security number or real identity. I don't think he's in the US.

It could be a possiblity. He wasn't able to finish university and get a grade, he also is a wanted criminal and has to hide himself from authorities.

But there are a lot of guys who can live a lot of years hiding themselves and doesn't caring for the murder they commited.

I think this guy is one of the worst scum on earth. Maybe he's hiding in Canada and working in some activity that doesn't require to register himself or giving his social security number or real identity. I don't think he's in the US.

Yeah. Plus I'm sure his look would have drastically changed since 1980 as he would be in his late 50's now

Dead or alive? I have a hard time believing he is still alive after so many years on the run.

I think he could be alive. He would only be in his late 50s and if he got sufficient help from family and friends, he could be living just about anywhere.

I say he's alive. I think he's in Canada, where his vehicle was found.

I think I read somewhere that throughout the early '80s Missouri investigators had strong evidence to suggest his family was helping him hide out.

It's a sickening feeling to know this guy was never caught. Especially since he not only killed Tanya but he sent a letter to her parents saying she deserved what she got. It was HER fault that he killed her. Scum. That shows absolutely no remorse on his part.

I think he is very much alive, probably living in Canada or somewhere in the U.S., far away from Missouri. He's been on the run since the year I was born. It's way past time he got caught and punished.

I'm not convinced he is still on the run. He was an incompetent, lazy SOB who seemed to have a tough financial situation based on his apparent lack of employment combined with his disregard for his own education. He also seems like someone who sticks out pretty easily; based on his physical description. He doesn't seem like the kind of person who has the competence, skills, or resources to live a life as an outcast under the radar for this length of time.

I think he wandered off into the vast Canadian wilderness and took his own life. Authorities even said they found no trace of the .45 handgun he used, aside from his proof of purchase which was in his apartment; so it's fair to say he took the weapon with him when he fled. That tells me he was prepared to commit another dirty deed with it. But I don't think he would be incompetent enough to realize that the authorities would be on his tail especially after sending a flaunting letter to his victim's relatives.

It's a sickening feeling to know this guy was never caught. Especially since he not only killed Tanya but he sent a letter to her parents saying she deserved what she got. It was HER fault that he killed her. Scum. That shows absolutely no remorse on his part.

I think he is very much alive, probably living in Canada or somewhere in the U.S., far away from Missouri. He's been on the run since the year I was born. It's way past time he got caught and punished.
I feel the same way. This case sickens me. He's been on the run for longer than he was a free man and I, too, believe that he's probably still alive. I think he's living under an assumed name and wouldn't be surprised at all if he got help. He could very easily have called family/friends from a payphone and asked for money to be wired to him or something.

I vote alive.

I believe alive as well. Other than UM, you never really hear of this case. It is not like his face is everywhere. He could easily live among others and no one would ever know who he is. Same goes for other cases.

with his family helping him out, why would he commit suicide?

even if he commited suicide, most likely it wouldn't be in such a place where it is hard to find.

my money is on him making it out alive.

Saw this one yesterday on Amazon Season 3, was hoping there would be an update that he was caught.

My vote is that he is alive and probably living a decent life unfortunately.

I don't know on this one. Thompson, Manitoba is way out in the middle of nowhere. I doubt that he went there to start a new life. Maybe he did kill himself. I'd think he would have wanted to be in a larger city and unless someone drove a separate car with him, I can't see how he would have gotten away from the area.

I think he could be alive. He would only be in his late 50s and if he got sufficient help from family and friends, he could be living just about anywhere.

Thompson, Manitoba is way out in the middle of nowhere. I doubt that he went there to start a new life. Maybe he did kill himself.

That is the thing though, he maybe wanted somewhere like that so he could live "off the grid", although this is still a location of around 10,000 or more people.

The only issue would be that to get money, he still would have to try and hold down some kind of a job.

For anyone who has not driven across "the prairies", let me tell you, you'd want to slash your wrists. You can go 100 miles without even so much as a tree to look at. Just flat land with nothing. I can remember being so excited to see a gas station! Anyway, my point is that it is very common for long haul truck drivers to pick up hitchhikers or offer rides to people they kind of know or met who want to go from point A to point B because it provides some company. I think it's quite possible he ditched the vehicle and then took a ride with some unsuspecting truck driver and landed in a major city where he could try to blend.

I'm not sure if he's dead or alive. I do wonder how much effort is being put in to find him. In similar cases, I can usually find a "family still longs for justice after x years" type of article with an interview with some local law enforcement official, but I haven't been able to find one in this case.

Have the FBI looked at Bocklage's friends and family to find out if they may be aiding him? Have there been any sightings of him? There hasn't been any new information about this case that I can find. This case deserves more attention from law enforcement and media, it is one of the most senseless and brutal crimes I can think of.

Personally, I think he wandered into the Canadian wilderness and killed himself. I'm sure there is a ton of places up there where you could do that and not be found for 100 years if ever.
I am wondering how he got across the border. Surely it took him many hours to get up to the border from Kansas City (not exactly a short hike), and it was known from the very beginning that he was the killer. Even though it was 1980, that kind of word would have to spread fast among law enforcement unless it never occurred to them to put out a watch for him at either the Canadian or Mexican borders.

. I can not believe this scum piece of crap has not been found. I was SHOCKED when there was no update

I vote that he is dead.

Because of his personality, and difficulties in school and with his peers, he seemed to have some internal turmoil going on (the murder of his victim aside). I believe he killed himself and just was never discovered.

. I can not believe this scum piece of crap has not been found. I was SHOCKED when there was no update

I felt just the same way. The advantage to watching UM all these years later is the satisfaction of seeing those updates, knowing the culprits were caught. Was really saddened to see that wasn’t the case here. (This makes me realize how much scarier the show was when on TV: all these people were out there, trying to hide. I remember being particularly spooked every time it was mentioned they had perhaps fled to Canada- where I live. Teenage me would always literally look over my shoulder and out the window when Stack said that. :lol:)

I’m really on the fence as to dead or alive. I see the committing suicide if he was isolated, being the incompetent, selfish and sick man he was. I also see hiding away with help from friends and family until he found a new woman off which to sponge. But it’s hard to think that his laziness coupled with his ideas that everyone was against him wouldn’t result in another homicide or violence.

Either way, despicable he got away with it, and sent that horrible letter to her family.

Like one of the earlier posters, he doesn't seem like the kind of person who could carry out a crime like this and then go off and create a new life for himself. Based on that, I'd say he's dead.

Though on the other hand, this case bears some vague similarities to the case of another ex-med student up here.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fired-doctor-anthony-garcia-found-guilty-four-revenge-murders-n673386

For anyone wanting to read the full version of this murderer's sickening letter to the Kopric Family, here it is.

"Dear Kopric Family,

Please realize it is most difficult for us to write this letter. However we feel you deserve a complete explanation concerning the following events.
Your daughter, Tatjana Kopric has been executed in Kansas City, MO. She has caused so much grief, turmoil and anguish to so many Americans that this act was necessary. Tanja had lost all sense of her parameters – She mocked our nation, She mocked our people, She mocked out culture. She attempted to dictate her perversive will on everyone. She had been asked to leave our country and she refused. It became clear that her only motive for being in this country was to become wealthy at the expense of anyone or anything. I hope you can begin to understand why her execution was inevitable.
Please understand this act was performed by professional assassins and that no acts of revenge are possible.
Sincerely the People of the United States of America."

My opinion: he is most certainly alive. He also most likely comes to this thread sometimes and reads what we're posting about him and is probably chuckling at it. This case has always haunted me. I think that he planned this out way in advance as certain actions he took shows that. Therefore, I think he already had a plan to go into hiding and was prepared for that. As for not being found after all these years, as a poster said above, you have to wonder how much effort has been put into finding him. The FBI has dropped the ball in some cases and this could be one of them. I would like to hear what the Kansas City Police Department has to say about this case after all these years – if they think he's alive or dead and if they are even searching for him anymore.

It's a tragic, disturbing case all-around and I feel deeply for her parents. I wonder if they are still alive? Unlikely, I know. There is so little information on this case.

I don't think he killed himself. He was narcissistic and wouldn't take any of the blame. I don't think he would drive that far to kill himself either.

This line really irks me: "She attempted to dictate her perversive will on everyone" – clearly what this animal did.

Very similar to another piece of work, Richard Bare. I'm stunned he hasn't been caught.

For anyone wanting to read the full version of this murderer's sickening letter to the Kopric Family, here it is.

"Dear Kopric Family,

Please realize it is most difficult for us to write this letter. However we feel you deserve a complete explanation concerning the following events.
Your daughter, Tatjana Kopric has been executed in Kansas City, MO. She has caused so much grief, turmoil and anguish to so many Americans that this act was necessary. Tanja has lost all sense of her parameters – She mocked our nation, She mocked our people, She mocked out culture. She attempted to dictate her perversive will on everyone. She had been asked to leave our country and she refused. It became clear that her only motive for being in this country was to become wealthy at the expense of anyone or anything. I hope you can begin to understand why her execution was inevitable.
Please understand this act was performed by professional assassins and that – – (?)– – of revenge are possible.
Sincerely the People of the United States of America."

My opinion: he is most certainly alive. He also most likely comes to this thread sometimes and reads what we're posting about him and is probably chuckling at it. This case has always haunted me. I think that he planned this out way in advance as certain actions he took shows that. Therefore, I think he already had a plan to go into hiding and was prepared for that. As for not being found after all these years, as a poster said above, you have to wonder how much effort has been put into finding him. The FBI has dropped the ball in some cases and this could be one of them. I would like to hear what the Kansas City Police Department has to say about this case after all these years – if they think he's alive or dead and if they are even searching for him anymore.

It's a tragic, disturbing case all-around and I feel deeply for her parents. I wonder if they are still alive? Unlikely, I know. There is so little information on this case.

I don't think he killed himself. He was narcissistic and wouldn't take any of the blame. I don't think he would drive that far to kill himself either.

This line really irks me: "She attempted to dictate her perversive will on everyone" – clearly what this animal did.

Very similar to another piece of work, Richard Bare. I'm stunned he hasn't been caught.

Welcome! :wave:

Thanks for the full text of that letter. Just sad. And horrible. Yowza.

Anytime a violent criminal is unaccounted for, they should be assumed alive until proven otherwise. I believe this should always be law enforcement's approach.

This is especially true in this case, as Bocklage was quite young when he disappeared.

For anyone wanting to read the full version of this murderer's sickening letter to the Kopric Family, here it is.

"Dear Kopric Family,

Please realize it is most difficult for us to write this letter. However we feel you deserve a complete explanation concerning the following events.
Your daughter, Tatjana Kopric has been executed in Kansas City, MO. She has caused so much grief, turmoil and anguish to so many Americans that this act was necessary. Tanja had lost all sense of her parameters – She mocked our nation, She mocked our people, She mocked out culture. She attempted to dictate her perversive will on everyone. She had been asked to leave our country and she refused. It became clear that her only motive for being in this country was to become wealthy at the expense of anyone or anything. I hope you can begin to understand why her execution was inevitable.
Please understand this act was performed by professional assassins and that no acts of revenge are possible.
Sincerely the People of the United States of America."

Ugh!!! http://gifimage.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/banging-head-against-wall-gif-11.gif

How has this miserable POS not been caught? That letter is joke. In an attempt to deflect blame, he's painting her as basically a James Bond villain.

He’s a turd

Anytime a violent criminal is unaccounted for, they should be assumed alive until proven otherwise. I believe this should always be law enforcement's approach.

This is especially true in this case, as Bocklage was quite young when he disappeared.

If memory serves from the segment, I want to say he was 23 at the time of the murder which would make him 60 or 61 today. Absolutely possible that he's still alive. Personally, I believe he killed himself somewhere in the back woods in Manitoba. Way too big a risk to come back to the U.S. IMO.

If memory serves from the segment, I want to say he was 23 at the time of the murder which would make him 60 or 61 today. Absolutely possible that he's still alive. Personally, I believe he killed himself somewhere in the back woods in Manitoba. Way too big a risk to come back to the U.S. IMO.

Agreed. He most certainly could still be alive, but that would require a complete personality shift/transformation from the way he was portrayed in the segment. Barring such an improbability (or perhaps the fact he could be living as a hermit somewhere like the Unabomber was there for a while), I'd say he's dead.

I highly doubt he killed himself after sending a grandstanding letter like that to her family. I bet he's living somewhere in Canada under an assumed name.

For anyone wanting to read the full version of this murderer's sickening letter to the Kopric Family, here it is.

"Dear Kopric Family,

Please realize it is most difficult for us to write this letter. However we feel you deserve a complete explanation concerning the following events.
Your daughter, Tatjana Kopric has been executed in Kansas City, MO. She has caused so much grief, turmoil and anguish to so many Americans that this act was necessary. Tanja had lost all sense of her parameters – She mocked our nation, She mocked our people, She mocked out culture. She attempted to dictate her perversive will on everyone. She had been asked to leave our country and she refused. It became clear that her only motive for being in this country was to become wealthy at the expense of anyone or anything. I hope you can begin to understand why her execution was inevitable.
Please understand this act was performed by professional assassins and that no acts of revenge are possible.
Sincerely the People of the United States of America."

My opinion: he is most certainly alive. He also most likely comes to this thread sometimes and reads what we're posting about him and is probably chuckling at it. This case has always haunted me. I think that he planned this out way in advance as certain actions he took shows that. Therefore, I think he already had a plan to go into hiding and was prepared for that. As for not being found after all these years, as a poster said above, you have to wonder how much effort has been put into finding him. The FBI has dropped the ball in some cases and this could be one of them. I would like to hear what the Kansas City Police Department has to say about this case after all these years – if they think he's alive or dead and if they are even searching for him anymore.

It's a tragic, disturbing case all-around and I feel deeply for her parents. I wonder if they are still alive? Unlikely, I know. There is so little information on this case.

I don't think he killed himself. He was narcissistic and wouldn't take any of the blame. I don't think he would drive that far to kill himself either.

This line really irks me: "She attempted to dictate her perversive will on everyone" – clearly what this animal did.

Very similar to another piece of work, Richard Bare. I'm stunned he hasn't been caught.

The letter looks like one of Trump's immigration policy statements. Not sure what the idea was-to try to make it look like he was past of some right-wing group, or been framed for the murder by them. Or was it just his ego trying to justify it & trying to convince himself that most people in the USA would be on his side?

I highly doubt he killed himself after sending a grandstanding letter like that to her family. I bet he's living somewhere in Canada under an assumed name.

I think he quietly slipped out of the country with false documents & created a new life for himself somewhere.

I think he quietly slipped out of the country with false documents & created a new life for himself somewhere.

Absolutely... people with that frame of mind don't kill themselves out of guilt. He's alive somewhere, hopefully justice catches up with him someday.

It's nice to see more discussion on this case.

The letter looks like one of Trump's immigration policy statements. Not sure what the idea was-to try to make it look like he was past of some right-wing group, or been framed for the murder by them. Or was it just his ego trying to justify it & trying to convince himself that most people in the USA would be on his side?

First theory is compelling – the part where he says Tanya had been asked to leave the country does lend credence to that theory. I'd lean more to the second one though. When he says that Tanya had lost all sense of her parameters, it does sounds personal. The fact that he opens the letter by sentimentalizing some difficulty writing the letter to his victim's parents makes my stomach turn.

I highly doubt he killed himself after sending a grandstanding letter like that to her family. I bet he's living somewhere in Canada under an assumed name.

Yup and not only that but the fact he drove nearly 20 hours after the murder does not point to suicide. If killing himself was his plan, he would have done it before. Then the fact that he left a note in his car saying he had returned to the states tells me he was trying to throw off the police so he'd have a better chance of getting away undetected – also not pointing to suicide.

It's incredibly creepy to think this guy is still out there. Somewhere...

Yup and not only that but the fact he drove nearly 20 hours after the murder does not point to suicide. If killing himself was his plan, he would have done it before. Then the fact that he left a note in his car saying he had returned to the states tells me he was trying to throw off the police so he'd have a better chance of getting away undetected – also not pointing to suicide.

It's incredibly creepy to think this guy is still out there. Somewhere...

I agree with you and Fletch. I know throughout the 1980s and into the early '90s at least, the authorities strongly felt he was alive and possibly being aided by some members of his family while in hiding. I'm not sure what information they have or had to make that public, but if I were betting I'd say it's probably pretty strong.

Absolutely... people with that frame of mind don't kill themselves out of guilt. He's alive somewhere, hopefully justice catches up with him someday.

It's possible his mindset changed or that he felt differently once he became engulfed in a completely different environment, away from the life he knew and the chaotic life on the run. However, I agree he is alive. Everything in this case points away from suicide.

The letter looks like one of Trump's immigration policy statements. Not sure what the idea was-to try to make it look like he was past of some right-wing group, or been framed for the murder by them. Or was it just his ego trying to justify it & trying to convince himself that most people in the USA would be on his side?

I lean towards the ego. He was going to pull out of thin air any reason possible to justify the murder he had committed. He never had to write that letter. He could have killed her and gone into hiding and nothing had to be different. But going through the trouble of writing those letters feels like confirmation to me that his ego was never going to let him believe anything other than his self inflicted troubles were always going to be somebody else's fault.

It makes you wonder what would have happened if the Dean at the Univesity of Missouri had not been out all day in meetings. What if Richard had killed him too that day (since witnesses on campus feared he was carrying a gun)? What would have gone into a letter Richard had written to HIS family? He couldn't use the immigration excuse there. But he would have thought of something. When you're as delusional as he was, you can convince yourself of anything.

Crazy that there isn't a lot about him on the internet... I found this off another board:

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/vK4AAOSwUchZ9lWm/s-l1600.jpg

Crazy that there isn't a lot about him on the internet... I found this off another board:

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/vK4AAOSwUchZ9lWm/s-l1600.jpg

I saw that on the America's Most Wanted fan site. Interestingly, it says "Bocklage is reportedly an avid outdoorsman who could survive in the wilderness for long periods of time." Yet the detective said it's not his style. I also noticed the age-enhanced photos on that poster are clearer then what was shown on the Unsolved Mysteries episode. I have found nothing that shows the FBI is still actively involved in this case. Yet Adam Emery, Hazel Head and William Jordan are still FBI-sought.

I was thinking about how a previous poster was wondering how he got across the border when it was known right away that Bocklage was the killer.

Anyone know what kind of records were required to cross the Canadian border in 1980 and what kind of documentation they kept on those who crossed in their logs, if any?

https://www.csmonitor.com/1983/0523/052307.html

In the early eighties, it sounds like it wouldn't have been that hard for Bocklage to cross into Canada. There wasn't a national manhunt for him at the time. Communities with border crossings wouldn't have known anything about him or a murder in far off Missouri and having a passport for border crossings wasn't the big deal then that it is now. As someone already noted, why would he drive all the way to Manitoba in order to commit suicide?

David Fisher was able to walk out of a prison in 1974, go to Canada and live undetected for 15 years, so it wasn't that difficult to do.

https://www.csmonitor.com/1983/0523/052307.html

In the early eighties, it sounds like it wouldn't have been that hard for Bocklage to cross into Canada. There wasn't a national manhunt for him at the time. Communities with border crossings wouldn't have known anything about him or a murder in far off Missouri and having a passport for border crossings wasn't the big deal then that it is now. As someone already noted, why would he drive all the way to Manitoba in order to commit suicide?

David Fisher was able to walk out of a prison in 1974, go to Canada and live undetected for 15 years, so it wasn't that difficult to do.

As someone who grew up and lived one mile from the border with Canada, I can vouch for that. Going through the border was literally nothing until 2004-ish. And it wasn't until I think 2008 you needed a passport or EDL. Before that, it was easy as hell. I remember crossing without even showing ID. Just a "where are you coming from?" "where are you going?" "have anything to claim?" and that was about it.

As someone who grew up and lived one mile from the border with Canada, I can vouch for that. Going through the border was literally nothing until 2004-ish. And it wasn't until I think 2008 you needed a passport or EDL. Before that, it was easy as hell. I remember crossing without even showing ID. Just a "where are you coming from?" "where are you going?" "have anything to claim?" and that was about it.

Thanks for confirming that. I've only traveled through the Canadian-U.S. border three times, once as a teenager with my parents in the early nineties, and I don't recall any strict protocols or requirements at the time. The last time I went through (2011) I didn't have issues crossing into Canada but on my return one particular U.S. border agent gave me the third degree (despite neither having a criminal record nor evidence of criminal activity). It sounds like that kind of treatment is becoming more common upon entry to the states, unfortunately.

Thanks for confirming that. I've only traveled through the Canadian-U.S. border three times, once as a teenager with my parents in the early nineties, and I don't recall any strict protocols or requirements at the time. The last time I went through (2011) I didn't have issues crossing into Canada but on my return one particular U.S. border agent gave me the third degree (despite neither having a criminal record nor evidence of criminal activity). It sounds like that kind of treatment is becoming more common upon entry to the states, unfortunately.

Growing up outside of Detroit, the Ambassador Bridge to Ontario was always a 20 minute drive away. I remember going on field trips there, a trip to the Windsor Casino and drinking trips with friends because the legal drinking age was 19. It was NEVER an issue getting to Canada. They asked very few questions and checked our ID's about 5% of the time. So I'm sure it was probably the same or even easier to do this in 1980.

Bockledge would have had absolutely no problems getting in to the country.

Growing up outside of Detroit, the Ambassador Bridge to Ontario was always a 20 minute drive away. I remember going on field trips there, a trip to the Windsor Casino and drinking trips with friends because the legal drinking age was 19. It was NEVER an issue getting to Canada. They asked very few questions and checked our ID's about 5% of the time. So I'm sure it was probably the same or even easier to do this in 1980.

Bockledge would have had absolutely no problems getting in to the country.

That's what I thought. I've got friends from Texas who've mentioned easily going through U.S.-Mexico border crossings to shop or party until the nineties and and it sounds like the Canadian border was similar, possibly even less restrictive.

Bocklage premeditated killing Kopric so his hightailing it to the border might have been planned as well. He could have caught a Greyhound to anywhere after ditching his car in Thompson.

Could it be that Bocklage just wanted to give the Dean something? The witnesses said they just felt like it was a weapon but they didn't see it. A gun would have just fit on his belt, under his shirt. The massive manilla envelope was not required to conceal a 45. Plus, he likely would have felt he'd be subdued before being across town to wait for and murder Tanya – the real object of his seething discontent.

That was me who raised the question of Bocklage getting across the border. I figure he could have made it up there before border authorities learned of his role in the killing.
As a student at the University of Toledo, I made several trips up to Windsor between 1997 and 2000. Getting into Canada always was a little tougher than coming back. They asked a few more questions and even searched the car on one occasion.
Coming back usually was: "Where are you going?" "Toledo." "See ya." I am sure the Ohio license plate had something to do with the ease of crossing back.

It also goes without saying that the border between Canada and the USA is enourmous. If for some reason I needed to illegally enter the USA it would be quite easy to do and that's factoring in the US and Canadian borders are like night and day in my experience: the USA is both ridiculous and intimidating as they searched the car both times and grilled us about where we worked (albeit professionally) while Canada was an absolute breeze. Interesting to note how the US border stations I have visited are practically falling down with all the money they spend compared to Canada but I digress.

Of course this was over 30 years ago so he could have just walked up with ID and quickly be on his way.

That was me who raised the question of Bocklage getting across the border. I figure he could have made it up there before border authorities learned of his role in the killing.
As a student at the University of Toledo, I made several trips up to Windsor between 1997 and 2000. Getting into Canada always was a little tougher than coming back. They asked a few more questions and even searched the car on one occasion.
Coming back usually was: "Where are you going?" "Toledo." "See ya." I am sure the Ohio license plate had something to do with the ease of crossing back.

Funny, it was the opposite for us, most of the time. Typically getting back into the States was harder than getting into Canada. Not that it was "hard," but they always seemed to pay more attention coming back.

The last time I was in Windsor, coincidentally on 9/11/11, it was easier getting into Canada than coming back into the U.S. That was the first time I'd been there since July 2001, not long after I'd graduated from college, and that experience mirrored those from my college days. Purely in terms of security, it's a different world now than 20 years ago.

One other thing. Where were Richard Bocklage's parents or his family when he flunked out of school? UM made it seem like Richard had no family support other than Tanya Kopric until she could no longer deal with his violent mood swings. I think somebody mentioned Richard's family has supposedly not heard from him since he disappeared.

Growing up outside of Detroit, the Ambassador Bridge to Ontario was always a 20 minute drive away. I remember going on field trips there, a trip to the Windsor Casino and drinking trips with friends because the legal drinking age was 19. It was NEVER an issue getting to Canada. They asked very few questions and checked our ID's about 5% of the time. So I'm sure it was probably the same or even easier to do this in 1980.

Bockledge would have had absolutely no problems getting in to the country.

The same when I went to Lake Superior State in Sault Ste Marie from 2004 - 08. Getting into Ontario is easy. Getting back into the States was the pain, even up in the Upper Peninsul of Michigan.

Maybe he went overseas with his family sending him money.

Maybe he went overseas with his family sending him money.

I could see this - getting out of the country would've been relatively easy back then. But I would think sending/wiring money would trip a flag or two?

I could see this - getting out of the country would've been relatively easy back then. But I would think sending/wiring money would trip a flag or two?


yeah, but if the money was sent by a family friend or cousin, LE wouldn't have noted.

This monster took a time to comit this murder. Maybe he bought false papers some time before the murder. Then, he traveled to Canada and then overseas, a third world country. No one would have noticed who this guy was.

Family could have sent money easily to a third world country back in the 80s. Im not talking about some remote town in the Himalayas, but to a capital city in Latin America it was easy. Of course not his mother.... very obvious ....but a friend... police could not research all money transactions made by people related to him.

Also, this guy knew how to live in the wilderness, maybe he got a job in the forest/wood area. He didn't have to wait for momma's check to earn his money.

yeah, but if the money was sent by a family friend or cousin, LE wouldn't have noted.

This monster took a time to comit this murder. Maybe he bought false papers some time before the murder. Then, he traveled to Canada and then overseas, a third world country. No one would have noticed who this guy was.

Family could have sent money easily to a third world country back in the 80s. Im not talking about some remote town in the Himalayas, but to a capital city in Latin America it was easy. Of course not his mother.... very obvious ....but a friend... police could not research all money transactions made by people related to him.

Also, this guy knew how to live in the wilderness, maybe he got a job in the forest/wood area. He didn't have to wait for momma's check to earn his money.

Indeed. The more I think about it, the more he reminds me of a guy from right here in my hometown who busted out of jail in '67 and headed down to SA (possibly Brazil), disappearing w/o a trace.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=363848

It's possible his mindset changed or that he felt differently once he became engulfed in a completely different environment, away from the life he knew and the chaotic life on the run. However, I agree he is alive. Everything in this case points away from suicide.

I believe I saw a recent update on another case where someone had been found practically in a hut on a Pacific island. I picture him doing something like this.

I can confirm that as of 2018, both witnesses to the murder are still alive.

Not sure how much better that makes everyone feel because this case's finality sucks and I guess that's why this case doesn't come up much.

From what I heard, FBI was hiding-out at his mom's funeral, hoping he might show.

The leads that Unsolved Mysteries and America's Most Wanted both brought in apparently never panned out, turning out to be unfounded most of the time.

Someone recently posted on his official UM page that the family says he died in 2005. In his mom's 2002 obituary, they refer to him as "the late Richard G. Bocklage" which could mean a number of things but they have contradicted themselves before.

Some speculate that he would just head out into the Canadian wilderness. At first I thought the idea of narcissist Richard climbing through mountains and caves and such—possibly maybe breaking his leg, succumbing to hyperthermia, attacked by scavengers—made sense but now I'm not so sure. I guess it's possible. There is actually not a lot of mountains in that area of Manitoba. However, he left right when winter really struck in Northern Manitoba in October 1980. There is also an airport in Thompson.

According to them, the last sign of him being alive is still as the show left it 1991—ditching his care, leaving the note.

Thompson, Manitoba—if you read up about it—is actually a pretty decent town for him to hide-out in. Read this from wikipedia: "Thompson's trade area is larger than New Mexico yet contains just over 50,000 residents, with many of the smaller communities accessible only by air or winter road."

And this: "In 2018, Thompson was #2 on the Crime Severity Index of Canada. Thompson topped the Violent Crime Severity Index and finished second in both the Overall Crime Severity Index column and Non-Violent Crime Severity Index column".

It's got a lot of violence, drug trafficking, domestic issues. I think it's very possible Richard became involved in Thompson's criminal underground. It's a pretty big area and more compelling is that there are two mines in the area. According to his family members, if he couldn't be a pharmacist, he was going to try gold-mining.

I can easily see him seducing and using another woman to aid his integration into Thompson (as he did with Dr. Kopric) and could easily be living in one of those "smaller communities accessible only by air or winter road" as Thompson so richly offers—with a new wife and kids. Remember Joe Shepherd.

I hope something resolves before his 40th year on the run. Both Jackson County and the FBI hold active warrants.


Thanks for the update!!

Damn, just watched this in Prime and was convinced there would be an update at the end. I am really shocked he was never caught.
It was striking watching how the board who refused his appeal for return to his course all left separately as soon as their meeting ended because they knew what his temper was like. That says a lot.

Sadly we will probably now never find out what happened to him.

It was striking watching how the board who refused his appeal for return to his course all left separately as soon as their meeting ended because they knew what his temper was like. That says a lot.

And that two of them saw Richard pulling in the parking lot and immediately ran in the opposite direction.

I often wonder, if that package he was carrying was indeed a gun as everyone suspected, what he thought his end game would be if he shot the Dean dead in his office. I think he's probably captured right away if that happens. And Tatjana may be alive today as he didn't end up shooting her until several hours later.

Did he shoot Tatjana because he couldn't get access to the Dean? Or was he always planning to shoot both? I've always wondered.

Funny, it was the opposite for us, most of the time. Typically getting back into the States was harder than getting into Canada. Not that it was "hard," but they always seemed to pay more attention coming back.

This was my experience as well. I have passed through at Detroit several times as well as whatever the main one is between Winnipeg and Minneapolis via Fargo, ND and Niagara Falls. Yes, this was all before passports were required but I was never once required to present any ID to get into Canada. They'd barely question me. Getting back into the US was still easy but more complicated. I had to show my birth certificate many times and answer questions about what I was bringing back, where I had been and what was my purpose in the US.

I wouldn't be surprised if Bocklage is in Canada living under an assumed name. Seems like that was somewhat easy as we have seen others doing the same on UM. Of course those people got caught, but maybe Bocklage is better and keeping himself hidden.

the part where they show an age progression of Bocklage with the creepy music playing is one of the scariest UM moments!

I am a forensic artist, having just completed several age progressed facial composites of Bocklage, I would like to share them with you all via the link:
(Hew Morrison Forensic Art)

https://www.facebook.com/742088919470679/posts/1511126015900295/?d=n

Thank you.

I am a forensic artist, having just completed several age progressed facial composites of Bocklage, I would like to share them with you all via the link:
(Hew Morrison Forensic Art)

https://www.facebook.com/742088919470679/posts/1511126015900295/?d=n

Thank you.

Remarkable. See if the Kansas City police/FBI will use this composite.

I am a forensic artist, having just completed several age progressed facial composites of Bocklage, I would like to share them with you all via the link:
(Hew Morrison Forensic Art)

https://www.facebook.com/742088919470679/posts/1511126015900295/?d=n

Thank you.

Wow great work! For me he is the biggest DB ever featured along with mark Nichols and the nerdy possessive boyfriend

Thompson, Manitoba has 1 major highway to leads to the town and 2 smaller highways that lead out and have dead ends. It makes no sense for him to drive all the way from Winnipeg (major city and capital) up north to Thompson for 8 hours, just to turn around on the same highway in a different vehicle and return to the United States. Being from Winnipeg, Manitoba, my guess is that he went up North abandoned his vehicle there, or ran out of gas, and died in the wildnerness. Thompson has a population of 13,000 people and if he indeed attempted to settle there, he would be recognized. In a 2021 interview a family member stated that they haven't seen or heard from him since before his disappearance.

I agree with this. There was an article recently linked in another thread that shed more details on Bocklege's disappearance. His car was found with a note on it that he ran out of gas just outside of Thompson. The note said whoever found the car could keep it. I believe Bocklege went into the woods, killed himself and his body was never found. His life was spiraling out of control and he was running out of options.

Unsent Handwritten Letter Found in Tanya’s Apartment (Written One Day Before Her Murder)

Certified from the Serbo-Croat Language

September 17, 1980

Dear Mom and others,…..

Whoa! I had no idea what a psychopath he was, and that Tanya was having to deal with all of that craziness. It's so sad that her mother was supposed to visit her the following month as I am sure they were both looking forward to it. Such a tragic situation.

This was my experience as well. I have passed through at Detroit several times as well as whatever the main one is between Winnipeg and Minneapolis via Fargo, ND and Niagara Falls. Yes, this was all before passports were required but I was never once required to present any ID to get into Canada. They'd barely question me. Getting back into the US was still easy but more complicated. I had to show my birth certificate many times and answer questions about what I was bringing back, where I had been and what was my purpose in the US.

I wouldn't be surprised if Bocklage is in Canada living under an assumed name. Seems like that was somewhat easy as we have seen others doing the same on UM. Of course those people got caught, but maybe Bocklage is better and keeping himself hidden.

Emerson Manitoba. Coming back to the US it’s Pembina, ND. I’ve been to Winnipeg a number of times.

The Canadians only care about how much liquor you’re bringing in, or if you have any guns, knives, pepper spray. That’s it. The Americans don’t give a crap about any of that, but they act all tough, and try to put you through the wringer. Last time I came back into the States, agents ran out and drew their guns. The officer gave them a hand signal and they put their guns away. I was told to come inside, where the agents were printing out pages and pages of, I don’t know what, and reviewing them. Then after almost 30 minutes, “Here’s your passport. You’re good to go.” :rolleyes:

I find it interesting that his car was found outside Thompson MB. There’s not a whole lot up there now, and there was probably less then. It’s also hours and hours and HOURS north of Winnipeg, the provinces largest city. Lots of tourists there. I wonder if he had family up there. As a psychopath fugitive he’d stick out like a sore thumb anywhere up there. His best chance of blending in would be in one of the cities. Since the first time I saw this case I always thought he left his car, started on foot, and either fell into a ravine and died or succumbed to the elements.

Sometimes with cases like this where you have a violent person on the loose that is never found I wonder if they met their match somewhere along the line and died as a result. Without ID the body might not have been identified and they may be some John Doe someplace. Or with a Fake ID they might have been mis-identified with no one ever being the wiser.

I find it interesting that his car was found outside Thompson MB. There’s not a whole lot up there now, and there was probably less then. It’s also hours and hours and HOURS north of Winnipeg, the provinces largest city. Lots of tourists there. I wonder if he had family up there. As a psychopath fugitive he’d stick out like a sore thumb anywhere up there. His best chance of blending in would be in one of the cities. Since the first time I saw this case I always thought he left his car, started on foot, and either fell into a ravine and died or succumbed to the elements.

This actually seems plausible. I have similar feelings towards Bocklage that I do towards Randall Utterback, a guy who didn't sound like the sharpest tool in the shed but has managed to totally elude law enforcement all these years. This would certainly explain why. Of course its entirely possible we are underestimating these guys and they may be smarter than we think.

But given where Bocklage's car was found basically out in the middle of nowhere, and given the fact he was in a strange place and had no known credentials for a woodsman who could survive out in the wilderness it doesn't seem like to big a stretch to say he went out there with the grand notion of living a Rambo like existence not realizing what he was getting into and lost his life. Not like this dude was a Dan Wilins or anything who was used to being out in a place like that, he had lived a relatively comfortable life. and even Dan Wilins perished in the Canadian wilderness apparently, although I think he may have been the victim of a bear attack which can happen to even the most experienced outdoorsman. Richard also could have been the victim of a bear attack. And given that his car was abandoned, he had to get out of there some other way if he returned to the states.

This was my experience as well. I have passed through at Detroit several times as well as whatever the main one is between Winnipeg and Minneapolis via Fargo, ND and Niagara Falls. Yes, this was all before passports were required but I was never once required to present any ID to get into Canada. They'd barely question me. Getting back into the US was still easy but more complicated. I had to show my birth certificate many times and answer questions about what I was bringing back, where I had been and what was my purpose in the US.

I wouldn't be surprised if Bocklage is in Canada living under an assumed name. Seems like that was somewhat easy as we have seen others doing the same on UM. Of course those people got caught, but maybe Bocklage is better and keeping himself hidden.

Bocklage definitely would have stood out in a place like Thompson. I've been to Northern Manitoba, and it is sparsely populated, with Thompson being the largest town with 13,000 people. It is crazy to think he went that far to ditch the vehicle.

Thompson is an 8 hour drive from the US Border. If he was outside of a Canadian city, he would have definitely been caught after the UM broadcast, considering how popular it was in this country (they caught a few fugitives up here from the US).

I'm of the opinion that he definitely either had family help, or he did not survive. The fact that he was not successful at school, and had to leech off his girlfriend, suggests that he would either be homeless or in prison for another crime. Judging by his interactions with the University he was at, I doubt he has the social skills to not stick out.

I would have to respectfully disagree. IMO, Thompson (and the surrounding areas) would have been perfect places for Bocklage to blend in.

It's a small Canadian town (13,000 people), with no tows in a 200km vicinity. M⁶ost locals know each other. He definitely would have stood out.

Given Bocklage’s features, he could have easily intermingled with the indigenous communities when considering how many aboriginal Canadians have brown hair, brown eyes, and darker complexions like Bocklage did. The only true, original ethnic Canadians almost always have dark brown hair, eyes and coppery skin like Bocklage. Canada’s diversity is the result of large-scale immigration and it is one the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. So there’s no reason to believe he would stand out.

I grew up in Winnipeg, and have spent time near Thompson, in Snow Lake, Flin Flon, The Pas, and other Northern communities. For starters, Canada was not the extremely diverse country it is today over 40 years ago. There were either White or Indigenous people in Thompson at the time. Furthermore, nearly all Indigenous people carried a slight accent, and other cultural differences that would have made him stand out like the sore thump. He had an American accent, which is night and day different than a Native American accent (Cree people).


The AMW episode and UM segment was aired 12 years after the murder. His appearance could have changed so much by then. Thompson’s popularity among American tourists has been documented since the city was established. Northern Manitoba has always been a popular travel destination for Americans who want to see aurora borealis and go camping, fishing, trapping, hunting, and for many other reasons. Interestingly, Bocklage’s car was left next to a major Indian reservation (Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation).

I know for a fact, that Americans come to Thompson for fishing, above all else. They could be interested in hunting, but I've never heard of Americans coming to see aurora borealious. Secondly, Thompson is surrounded by Native Reserves, so that would just be coincidental that he left his vehicle by one.

If alive, it’s entirely possible he is living somewhere within a few miles of where his car was found. He never expected law enforcement to find his car and it wasn’t out of gas like Warren said. He left a good amount of gas in it for whoever would find it. He even described the minor repairs that had to be made—making sure that the car would not breakdown somewhere that RCMP would notice. This was very crafty of him and tells us he was still thinking clearly just hours after blowing his girlfriend’s face off. .

Thompson is a small town in the middle of nowhere. Of course RCMP are going to find his vehicle within days. Again, the issue is having a license plate for the United States. Nearly all Americans fly into Thompson, and other areas by plane (via Winnipeg). It's not practical to drive for a couple of days to arrive there.

I’m with you on that one. I have trouble believing 23-year-old Richard Bocklage was experienced enough to hide in “the bush” of northern Manitoba right when winter was setting in and survive. Apparently, the man who found his car had to scrape frost off the window the day he found it. So it definitely was getting cold. The bush is so thick and there is so much muskeg covering the land. It is a very reasonable conclusion that he died in an area where his body has, to this day, never been found.

However, it does say on the FBI poster, “Bocklage is reportedly an avid outdoorsman who could survive for long periods in the wilderness.” However, several family members indicated he was an average outdoorsman at best.

About the bears—ironically Richard’s last known sighting was at an “old trapper’s shack” looking for a screwdriver to remove his license plates (one of the two “area residents” who saw him). However, he never returned to the car to do so. Maybe he did fall prey to a bear attack, or fall into a trap a.k.a. “deadfall,” or maybe he broke into someone’s cabin and was killed.
Clearly, he was not planning on committing suicide—at least not at the time he abandoned the vehicle and left his “TAKE ME!” note. He withdrew $580 before he split town too.

I can see why most would think Bocklage was of low intellect but the more I looked into the case, the more I have noticed this isn’t accurate. Most in his family had gone to college and had achieved some measures of success. He even lived with a doctor (a cousin), which was how he met Tanya. Not sure if that's the one indicated in Tanya's unsent letter that hated her. He probably could have been a pharmacist; he was making a decent wage as a student pharmacist for some time (his on-campus job). Fooled Tanya. Had multiple aliases for car registrations. He was doing drugs before he dropped out and at the time of the murder.

He almost could have just as easily gone to Mexico as the amount of time from Kansas City to the border of Mexico versus the border of Canada was only a couple hours longer. So there must have been some reason he wanted to go to Canada instead. He did have an interest in gold and nickel mines. Thompson did have a nickel mine at the time, but I can’t image he went to live in Thompson especially when there was a map of Manitoba with Thompson circled in ink left in the car.

I think that it is possible he is still alive. But it seems more likely he died in the wilderness, given his rash behavior and especially when no family has heard from him and he hasn’t been arrested for another crime to this day. The FBI worked with the US Postal Inspector to monitor mail sent to his parents and cousins. They also looked at phone records for long distance calls, but nothing there either.

Yeah, probably should clarify. I don't necessarily think Richard was stupid or slow. Or that he lacked any ability at all or had no potential. He sounded more like a classic underachiever, someone who was somewhat spoiled and immature and lacked discipline. I'd say he probably had been shielded from the effects of a lot of bad decisions in his life and as a result had learned little except how to sponge off others.

I merely don't see him having the fortitude to learn enough survival skills to go out and hide in the Candian wilderness, or eluding law enforcement all these years. Its possible yes, but I'd say its unlikely.

Given his irrational behavior in the weeks leading up to the murder, I imagine the decision to go up to a remote area Canada with this idea of living like Rambo was just another rash decision by him and may have cost him his life.

I merely don't see him having the fortitude to learn enough survival skills to go out and hide in the Candian wilderness, or eluding law enforcement all these years. Its possible yes, but I'd say its unlikely.

Given his irrational behavior in the weeks leading up to the murder, I imagine the decision to go up to a remote area Canada with this idea of living like Rambo was just another rash decision by him and may have cost him his life.

The outdoors in northern Manitoba is very unforgiving. The bugs would literally eat you alive within 24-48 hours. They are that bad. Bocklage would not have made it far, if he did decide to venture into the wilderness, which I doubt he did.

My gut instinct says either he is dead, or his family is possibly hiding him. I've read soundbites from his family members, and they take subtle jabs at his victim, like she brought it upon herself.

The outdoors in northern Manitoba is very unforgiving. The bugs would literally eat you alive within 24-48 hours. They are that bad. Bocklage would not have made it far, if he did decide to venture into the wilderness, which I doubt he did.

My gut instinct says his family is definitely hiding him. I've read soundbites from his family members, and they take subtle jabs at his victim, like she brought it upon herself.

That so? I wouldn't have expected bugs to be that big a problem in a cold climate like that. I thought he might have been the victim of a bear attack, which I said may have also happened to Dan Wilins, who also was believed to have disappeared in the Canadian wilderness back in the 1930's.

The problem is the circumstances under which Richard disappeared indicates he was out there for at least a little while. And if the eyewitnesses are right he was apparently trying to obtain some type of tool to remove his plates, why would he do that if he never intended to return to the car? I don't think he intended to stay out there indefinitely, perhaps just till the heat was off and he felt safe returning.

The thing is, if he got back to the states somehow, he had to have found another way to do so. And he was in a strange country and a remote area of it to boot.

I personally think if his family was hiding someone would have slipped by now and he would have surfaced. I think he went out there to hide till the heat was off and just underestimated how hazardous it was and overestimated his own survival skills and succumbed to the elements. Furthermore, I'm betting he did not expect the car to be found quickly as it was thinking the area was to remote and no one would notice it or care. I don't think he intended to abandon it. But when he found out that the car had been discovered he was afraid to return to it, was trying to find some other way out of the area and succumbed to the elements somewhere. Just my opinion though. I don't think he would have gone all the way up there if he simply intended to return right away, he was going there to hide and simply underestimated how hazardous it was.

That so? I wouldn't have expected bugs to be that big a problem in a cold climate like that. I thought he might have been the victim of a bear attack, which I said may have also happened to Dan Wilins, who also was believed to have disappeared in the Canadian wilderness back in the 1930's.

The bugs are unreal in most of the Canadian boreal forest. Horseflies, mosquitoes, sand flies, etc. If one were to stay in a single spot for over 30 seconds, especially in wet areas like moss, you would need a net over your face and head just to avoid being eaten alive.

The problem is the circumstances under which Richard disappeared indicates he was out there for at least a little while. And if the eyewitnesses are right he was apparently trying to obtain some type of tool to remove his plates, why would he do that if he never intended to return to the car? I don't think he intended to stay out there indefinitely, perhaps just till the heat was off and he felt safe returning.

He probably wanted to delay the identification of the vehicle. A car with no plates would be less noticeable than a car with Missouri plates, which would definitely be noticed, as it's rare for Americans to drive their vehicles in Northern Manitoba.


I personally think if his family was hiding someone would have slipped by now and he would have surfaced. I think he went out there to hide till the heat was off and just underestimated how hazardous it was and overestimated his own survival skills and succumbed to the elements. Furthermore, I'm betting he did not expect the car to be found quickly as it was thinking the area was to remote and no one would notice it or care. I don't think he intended to abandon it. But when he found out that the car had been discovered he was afraid to return to it, was trying to find some other way out of the area and succumbed to the elements somewhere. Just my opinion though. I don't think he would have gone all the way up there if he simply intended to return right away, he was going there to hide and simply underestimated how hazardous it was.

I can tell you that having been in Northern Manitoba several times, people in the area would definitely notice him. He would not fit in with the local or the Indigenous community. His best bet would ahve been to either fly out from the Thompson airport to Winnipeg, then transfer to a flight going to the US, or took a Greyhound/Grey Goose, as they used to make regular runs from Thompson to Winnipeg in the 80s. If he tried to survive in the woods, he would not have made it far....most likely 1/2 a mile at best.

The bugs are unreal in most of the Canadian boreal forest. Horseflies, mosquitoes, sand flies, etc. If one were to stay in a single spot for over 30 seconds, especially in wet areas like moss, you would need a net over your face and head just to avoid being eaten alive.



He probably wanted to delay the identification of the vehicle. A car with no plates would be less noticeable than a car with Missouri plates, which would definitely be noticed, as it's rare for Americans to drive their vehicles in Northern Manitoba.




I can tell you that having been in Northern Manitoba several times, people in the area would definitely notice him. He would not fit in with the local or the Indigenous community. His best bet would ahve been to either fly out from the Thompson airport to Winnipeg, then transfer to a flight going to the US, or took a Greyhound/Grey Goose, as they used to make regular runs from Thompson to Winnipeg in the 80s. If he tried to survive in the woods, he would not have made it far....most likely 1/2 a mile at best.

Well sure, if he was in town. But apparently there were no sightings of him in town and nothing to indicate he took a flight out of it. I admittedly don't know much about this town Thompson, but if he would stick out there as much as you say isn't it kind of odd no one saw him in town? only sightings of him were apparently out in the country not far from his car.

Like I said, I can't imagine he would have gone all the way up there just to come right back. I think he intended to stay awhile. And had he went into town, seems to me someone would have saw him there. He would have to have stayed somewhere got a hotel or something. Unless of course he knew someone there who could hide him and there is nothing to indicate he did.

I personally think he overestimated his survival abilities and perished somewhere. OF course, I could be totally wrong. But that's where the facts point to I believe.

Well sure, if he was in town. But apparently there were no sightings of him in town and nothing to indicate he took a flight out of it. I admittedly don't know much about this town Thompson, but if he would stick out there as much as you say isn't it kind of odd no one saw him in town? only sightings of him were apparently out in the country not far from his car.

There were sightings of him in the Thompson area, as he was spotted trying to remove the bolts, in order to remove his license plate. He could have avoided detection for a short duration, that is why I think he got out of Thompson as fast as he could (or died of hypothermia if he tried to survive in the wilderness).

Like I said, I can't imagine he would have gone all the way up there just to come right back. I think he intended to stay awhile. And had he went into town, seems to me someone would have saw him there. He would have to have stayed somewhere got a hotel or something. Unless of course he knew someone there who could hide him and there is nothing to indicate he did.

It is baffling, considering it is approximately a 20 hour drive from Kansas City to Thompson. He would have driven north on the I-29, then stopped at customs, travelled through Winnipeg, and finally took Highway #6 northbound through the Interlake, to Thompson. There has to be a reason that he went to Canada, let alone Thompson, a mining town in the north. This gives credence to the theory that he may have tried to survive in the unforgiving conditions, but as in the case of the Northern Canada spree killings of 2019 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Northern_British_Columbia_murders#:~:text=in%20British%20Columbia.-,Manhunt,to%20the%20British%20Columbia%20killings.), it would have been nearly impossible for him to survive.

I personally think he overestimated his survival abilities and perished somewhere. OF course, I could be totally wrong. But that's where the facts point to I believe.

THis is definitely possible, but the problem with the theory of him trying to survive in the outdoors, then succumbing to the elements, is that in the 43 years since he was spotted in the Thompson area, someone would have almost certainly come across his remains, or his possessions (i.e. tent, clothing, etc).

I'm interested in reading more about the Dan Wilins case but I see nothing on google about it. Where can I read more about it?


Its because I misspelled his name sorry. It is actually Willans. Here is the Unsolved Mysteries wiki article:

https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Heirs_of_Dan_Willans

Since it was so long ago and not really a high profile case, not sure what else you might find about it. Basically he was a prospector who also disappeared in the Canadian wilderness, though a different part. I believe it was the Yukon territory, which by my understanding is even more remote than the Thompson, Manitoba area.

Of course the contrast between the two is like night and day, Willans actually was an experienced bushman and a hardass and knew Canada quite well. Bocklage was a modern day American kid who had live a mostly comfortable life. Although Willans when he returned to civilization did tend to be flashy and party a lot he was also very disciplined and accomplished having made quite a fortune prospecting. I only brought him up cause I thought both might have been the victims of bear attacks.

THis is definitely possible, but the problem with the theory of him trying to survive in the outdoors, then succumbing to the elements, is that in the 43 years since he was spotted in the Thompson area, someone would have almost certainly come across his remains, or his possessions (i.e. tent, clothing, etc).

Not necessarily. If anyone dies out in the wilderness, animals tend to scatter the remains. And as you pointed out, this was a very remote area. I think he could have easily died out there somewhere and not have been found. Keith Reinhard and Tom Young in Colorado were believed to have disappeared in Colorado on Pendleton Mountain, and though Young's remains were found, they were only a few bones scattered. Reinhard never was, though we don't know for sure he died on the mountain once his wallet was found it was a pretty good bet.

And those guys had significant search parties out there looking for them shortly after they disappeared. In Richard Bocklage's case, the authorities believed he had merely returned to the US somehow and there was no search for him in the surrounding country. I think he could have easily died out there and not been found, especially if he was the victim of a bear attack like I think he might have been. Its entirely possible he was already dead when his car was found. But either way, I don't think he expected it to be found or that if anyone saw it they wouldn't think anything about it. What is strange to me though now that I think about it is that he was apparently looking for a tool to remove his plates, he could have stopped pretty much anywhere along the way and found a screwdriver, odd he would need to be looking around Thompson for that. Unless of course he decided to do this as an afterthought and didn't think of it till he got there. Which I think increases the likelihood he is dead, that he really didn't plan this trip well at all.

As for the idea of him taking a plane out of Thompson, I don't know about Canada but in the US even in 1980 I think you had to have some kind of ID to get on a plane, seems that might have been detected. I wonder if he could have taken a bus out of town? Do you know if there is a bus terminal in that town? If there was, I could buy a little more that he might have gotten out of the area undetected.

Not necessarily. If anyone dies out in the wilderness, animals tend to scatter the remains. And as you pointed out, this was a very remote area. I think he could have easily died out there somewhere and not have been found.

I may have been misinterpreted. I was stating that if (and a big if) Bocklage tried to survive in the wilderness in September, he would only have a short time to do so, since by mid-October, it's not really practical to try as the temperature begin to drop below freezing at night, and unless one builds a propane powered hut in the muskeg, there is virtually no chance they could pull that off.

And those guys had significant search parties out there looking for them shortly after they disappeared. In Richard Bocklage's case, the authorities believed he had merely returned to the US somehow and there was no search for him in the surrounding country. I think he could have easily died out there and not been found, especially if he was the victim of a bear attack like I think he might have been. Its entirely possible he was already dead when his car was found. But either way, I don't think he expected it to be found or that if anyone saw it they wouldn't think anything about it. What is strange to me though now that I think about it is that he was apparently looking for a tool to remove his plates, he could have stopped pretty much anywhere along the way and found a screwdriver, odd he would need to be looking around Thompson for that. Unless of course he decided to do this as an afterthought and didn't think of it till he got there. Which I think increases the likelihood he is dead, that he really didn't plan this trip well at all.

As for the idea of him taking a plane out of Thompson, I don't know about Canada but in the US even in 1980 I think you had to have some kind of ID to get on a plane, seems that might have been detected. I wonder if he could have taken a bus out of town? Do you know if there is a bus terminal in that town? If there was, I could buy a little more that he might have gotten out of the area undetected.


By the odd chance Bockerage tried to survive in the wilderness (which I douobt), one would assume Bocklage was smart enough to pitch a tent, have non-perishable food, plenty of jugs of water, and extra pairs of dry clothing. If an animal tried to scavenge his corpse, the tent, clothing, cans for the food, etc. would still be there. The chance of Bocklage going over 1/2 a mile into the woods is highly unlikely. Also, Black Bear attacks are extremely rare. One arguably has a better chance of winning the lottery than being killed by a bear. I've encountered too many bears to keep track of, in my line of work, and they are just as afraid of us as we are of therm. The only time they ever paid attention to me, is if I was on an ATV, and they simply stop and stare trying to figure out what I am doing.

However, this is a moot point, since its highly unlikely he even attempted this. One theory that just struck my mind, was that perhaps the reason he drove from Kansas City to Thompson, was that he had either family or friends that inhabited the city. If so, he could have temporary stayed with the person, until the case was out of the public eye, then return to Missouri.

The letter that he (supposedly) sent to Tanya's parents.. Does anyone know the postmark on it?

A detective seems to think he came back to the US.. I mean, the postmark on that ought to be a pretty good clue.

I can't think of any way this guy could have pulled off a Eric Rudolph.

The letter that he (supposedly) sent to Tanya's parents.. Does anyone know the postmark on it?

A detective seems to think he came back to the US.. I mean, the postmark on that ought to be a pretty good clue.

I can't think of any way this guy could have pulled off a Eric Rudolph.

Unconfirmed reports state that he mailed it 24-48 hours before he murdered her, which indicates premeditation. Of everything that I ahve seen on UM, this is about as evil as it gets. Not only murdering an innocent women, but mocking her family by stating (in his mind) the murder was somehow justified. The dude is a sociopath.

If the letter was stamped by a machine, as it likely was, it may have been inadvertently stamped on the back. I see that happen fairly often.

Unconfirmed reports state that he mailed it 24-48 hours before he murdered her, which indicates premeditation. Of everything that I ahve seen on UM, this is about as evil as it gets. Not only murdering an innocent women, but mocking her family by stating (in his mind) the murder was somehow justified. The dude is a sociopath.

I thought it was 2 months after? This is how it's worded on the wiki, which.. I have to rely on because.. once again, my memory sucks..

Two months after the murder, Tanya's parents received a letter from him, postmarked two days before.

Now, that's.. not the greatest of sentences, but I read it to say that Tanya's parents got the letter 2 days after it was mailed, which was 2 months after the murders.


Ok.. A little more digging.. Seems he wrote the letter BEFORE the murders, mailed it to Yugoslavia.. Then they sent it back to the US two months later.

Well, that's just as clear as mud.

I thought it was 2 months after? This is how it's worded on the wiki, which.. I have to rely on because.. once again, my memory sucks..



Now, that's.. not the greatest of sentences, but I read it to say that Tanya's parents got the letter 2 days after it was mailed, which was 2 months after the murders.


Ok.. A little more digging.. Seems he wrote the letter BEFORE the murders, mailed it to Yugoslavia.. Then they sent it back to the US two months later.

Well, that's just as clear as mud.

Obviously the article I read could be wrong. It would make more sense that Bocklage sent the letter to Tanya's parents after the fact, rather than sending them mail regarding their daughter's demise before it occurred. From the way the faculty at the University reacted, once he was denied admission to the program, it appears that the campus must have considered Bocklage as a potential threat.

On top of being a sociopathic killer, it suggests that Bocklage has bad anger management problems. It would explain why the faculty members who denied Bocklage's plea for acceptance into the program, immediately exited the campus as fast as they could, and turned around when witnessing him, for fear of confrontation.

It was about the college student who was dating an older woman (she was about thirty)... She was either on the administration there or a foreign exchange student. She was from Europe, maybe Czech Republic. When the guy was thrown out of the school he showed up there with a paper bag with a gun inside, then shot his gilfriend dead while she was in her car, I believe. He sent her parents a letter explaining why he murdered her. His tone in the letter was rambling and very unapologetic. Does anyone remember the names of the people involved, the country the woman was from, and if the boyfriend was ever caught for the crime. I believe this was an older case (happening in the '80's or before) broadcasted somewhere in the middle of the series, and UM doesn't always update old cases (why I don't know). Thank you in advance for any help.

She was Croat which at the time was still part of Yugoslavia.

This guy was obviously a narcissist and a parasite who felt entitled to everything and when he did not get his way, he had a tantrum and was violent because that worked ever since he was 3 years old. He used anyone he could. Tanja was obviously lonely, but he did the narcissist method of operations. You flood the victim ridiculous attention, compliments and act like she is the greatest thing ever created. Once the victim falls for it, the real, miserable parasite comes out. This was a murder-suicide that had a lot of miles in between. He drove as far as he could after the money and the gas ran out. He went into the woods. Used the same gun on himself and decomposed. His bones are somewhere, but likely so deep into the woods they will never be found. The flatfoot is wrong. He did not come back into the US.

I lean suicide as well.

The UM site says he's a suspect in semi-recent US robberies. I wonder how investigators pegged that?

The detective also said he thought Richard was back in America but I kind of disagree. He would have needed a way to get back into America without getting caught then back to Missouri or close to where he has family. I am sure it is probably harder to get through the Canadian border than the Mexican border. If he is still alive I would think he is hiding among family.

It's actually much easier to cross the Canadian border than the Mexican border, especially in 1980. It's harder how, especially after 9//11. However, I tend to agree that Bocklage may have died in Thompson.

I live in the same Canadian province that Thompson is in, and there are only 2 ways out of town, plane or vehicle. Richard could have either hitched a ride, taken a bus to Winnipeg, or had someone he knew in Thompson that could have drove him across the border, an 8 1/2 hour drive. It would be nearly impossible to survive in Northern Canada if one is not familiar with the climate. By late September, the temperature starts to drop to freezing overnight. In addition, the bugs would literally devour a person in the woods.

If he boarded a plane, he would have had to have an authentic ID, or a passport. Considering he was the prime suspect in a homicide in the US, he would have been flagged, and likely captured. With a passenger bus, it's possible he could have been overlooked (identification standards were lax before 2001).

The fact that Bocklage was emotionally unstable, and lacked maturity leads me to believe he could not pull off being on the run for 45 years, unless he had a lot of help from family members.

It's actually much easier to cross the Canadian border than the Mexican border, especially in 1980. It's harder how, especially after 9//11. However, I tend to agree that Bocklage may have died in Thompson.

I live in the same Canadian province that Thompson is in, and there are only 2 ways out of town, plane or vehicle. Richard could have either hitched a ride, taken a bus to Winnipeg, or had someone he knew in Thompson that could have drove him across the border, an 8 1/2 hour drive. It would be nearly impossible to survive in Northern Canada if one is not familiar with the climate. By late September, the temperature starts to drop to freezing overnight. In addition, the bugs would literally devour a person in the woods.

If he boarded a plane, he would have had to have an authentic ID, or a passport. Considering he was the prime suspect in a homicide in the US, he would have been flagged, and likely captured. With a passenger bus, it's possible he could have been overlooked (identification standards were lax before 2001).

The fact that Bocklage was emotionally unstable, and lacked maturity leads me to believe he could not pull off being on the run for 45 years, unless he had a lot of help from family members.

I'm inclined to agree. More I learn about the case the more I think he is probably dead. i'm about 80-20 that he is. Still think its a possibility he could be out there but more than likely not.

I think what does it for me the most is he supposedly drove until he ran out of gas to a remote place like this. Far more indicative to me of a desperate man who realized his life was basically over rather than someone who had a definitive plan to go into hiding and start a new life. Not only had he flunked out of college, he lost his fiance, and wound up killing her and then knew he's facing life in prison if he is caught.

I believe a lot of times we overestimate these guys who commit these crimes of passion and disappear thinking they are smart and diabolical enough to simply elude the law and start a new life. But these types of crimes are fueled by rage, and once they kill the object of their rage, they are just drained and have nothing left to run on and come to an oh snap what have I done moment.

Like you I am beginning to think Bocklage just came to the realization his life as he knew it was over and decided to just go off the face of the Earth. Either he committed suicide out in the woods or he overestimated his own survival abilities and perished. i personally think its the latter, he was simply not thinking clearly.

Of course, there is no way to know for sure, we could be underestimating him, there is always that chance. After all guys like Dennis DePue and John List murdered their wives or significant others and fled to start new lives even though they were eventually caught, and many people believe Brad Bishop did too. although others think he committed suicide.

But in Dennis's case I think he had been planning to kill Marilyn for awhile, List was more emotionally mature I think than Bocklage and also meticulously planned the murders. I think Brad Bishop also had more emotional maturity too and had the means to start a new life in Europe, though no one knows for sure.

Bocklage on the other hand, I think his choice to kill Tanya was fairly spur of the moment, probably only days before it happened. Although he did send that letter to her parents telling them what he was going to do, which does indicate some premeditation.

No way to know for sure but I definitely lean towards him being dead.

I'm inclined to agree. More I learn about the case the more I think he is probably dead. i'm about 80-20 that he is. Still think its a possibility he could be out there but more than likely not.

I think what does it for me the most is he supposedly drove until he ran out of gas to a remote place like this. Far more indicative to me of a desperate man who realized his life was basically over rather than someone who had a definitive plan to go into hiding and start a new life. Not only had he flunked out of college, he lost his fiance, and wound up killing her and then knew he's facing life in prison if he is caught.

I believe a lot of times we overestimate these guys who commit these crimes of passion and disappear thinking they are smart and diabolical enough to simply elude the law and start a new life. But these types of crimes are fueled by rage, and once they kill the object of their rage, they are just drained and have nothing left to run on and come to an oh snap what have I done moment.

Like you I am beginning to think Bocklage just came to the realization his life as he knew it was over and decided to just go off the face of the Earth. Either he committed suicide out in the woods or he overestimated his own survival abilities and perished. i personally think its the latter, he was simply not thinking clearly.



Incidentally, this would not be the last time killer(s) ended up in Northern Manitoba, after committing murders far away. In the summer of 2019, two 19 year old men from Vancouver Island, BC, went on a killing spree in the northern area of that province, then drove through four provinces, only to pass Thompson, and continue past the town of Gilliam, Manitoba, only to end up at a dead end.

The killers ended up somehow getting a hold of a boat, before ditching it on shore, and going into the woods, where they shot themselves. The case made international news as they were spotted in several towns in Northern Canada:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/bodies-found-manhunt-fugitives-1.5239053

There are several similarities between the two cases. Desperate men trying to run from the scene of the crime, coming to the end of civilisation, only to come to the realisation that their freedom would soon end.

Incidentally, this would not be the last time killer(s) ended up in Northern Manitoba, after committing murders far away. In the summer of 2019, two 19 year old men from Vancouver Island, BC, went on a killing spree in the northern area of that province, then drove through four provinces, only to pass Thompson, and continue past the town of Gilliam, Manitoba, only to end up at a dead end.

The killers ended up somehow getting a hold of a boat, before ditching it on shore, and going into the woods, where they shot themselves. The case made international news as they were spotted in several towns in Northern Canada:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/bodies-found-manhunt-fugitives-1.5239053

There are several similarities between the two cases. Desperate men trying to run from the scene of the crime, coming to the end of civilisation, only to come to the realisation that their freedom would soon end.

Might have to research that one. I pulled up google Earth just to take a look at the area where his car was found. And it looks to me like there is nothing north of Thompson for quite a ways, all I saw north of town was what looked like some kind of mine, a clearing with some piled up dirt, so guess that is what it was. And I'm betting it wasn't even there in 1980.

Richard could have gotten gas in Thompson, but that he passed town without doing so is another indicator he wasn't thinking clearly. When it looks to me like there is nowhere he could have gotten it past there. Shows he probably didn't know where he was going and had no clear goal except to drive further and further out into the middle of nowhere to lose himself.

Might have to research that one. I pulled up google Earth just to take a look at the area where his car was found. And it looks to me like there is nothing north of Thompson for quite a ways, all I saw north of town was what looked like some kind of mine, a clearing with some piled up dirt, so guess that is what it was. And I'm betting it wasn't even there in 1980.

I have been to Northern Manitoba four times in my life. If you were to look at Google Maps, I drove north on highway #6, until I got to the junction where one has to turn west or east. East goes to Thompson. I went West, to Snow Lake twice, as I was competing in A marathon canoe regatta two years in a row. I have also been to Flin Flon, a mining town as well, that is right on the border with Saskatchewan.

All I can tell you is the climate is very unforgiving. Extreme temperatures, and muskeg, lakes and woods everywhere you travel. The one thing that will destroy your soul, is the bugs. Horse flies, misquotes, sand flies, etc. They will literally eat you alive, or literally drive you crazy. It would be impossible to survive, unless one was familiar with the conditions of northern Canada.

In Flin Flon, I was lucky enough to stay at a friends cabin outside of town. However, when I was in Snow Lake, we camped out in tents at the provincial park. It was a beautiful place, with some of the best fishing on the Earth. However, I would not want to live there in winter.

Richard could have gotten gas in Thompson, but that he passed town without doing so is another indicator he wasn't thinking clearly. When it looks to me like there is nowhere he could have gotten it past there. Shows he probably didn't know where he was going and had no clear goal except to drive further and further out into the middle of nowhere to lose himself.

I personally do not see how he could have made his way out of Thompson, without a vehicle. He was spotted by witnesses even when he had his car. The town itself had roughly 15,000 people in 1980, and considering there is nothing but wilderness surrounding it, he would ahve stuck out like a sore thumb. This is the main reason I think he did not get out of the area alive. If he managed to board a bus, or hitch a ride, there would have been plenty of witness sightings.

Returning to a far away place like Missouri without being recognised, would have been all but impossible. The only way he could have pulled that off, is if he had family or friends helping him, and I have heard absolutely nothing of him having any connection to Northern Manitoba.

A lot of discussion about his car...

Has it ever been confirmed that Richard was ever actually in that small town? Aside from his car and a sighting or two that cannot be confirmed?
He could have easily had a buddy or family friend dump it there as a diversion.

Also the school board voting against him - did anyone else get cowardly vibes from them? They knew he was on a war path after voting against him and scurried away like scared little rodents instead of warning Tanya or others.
In other words - they had to have easily known the full weight of what their decision was going to do. Hence their hurry.

A lot of discussion about his car...

Has it ever been confirmed that Richard was ever actually in that small town? Aside from his car and a sighting or two that cannot be confirmed?
He could have easily had a buddy or family friend dump it there as a diversion.

Judging by the witnesses describing a man that looked just like Bocklage, and the fact that his personal vehicle was discovered 19 hours north of Kansas City, in a completely different country, I would say the odds are pretty high Bocklage was there.

Also the school board voting against him - did anyone else get cowardly vibes from them? They knew he was on a war path after voting against him and scurried away like scared little rodents instead of warning Tanya or others.
In other words - they had to have easily known the full weight of what their decision was going to do. Hence their hurry.

I would imagine for every person a college views a hostile or a potential threat, the odds of him going on a shooting spree are pretty remote (less than 0.1%). Also, how would the college even know that there was any relationship with the victim? The college can't be expected to have someone investigate Bocklage's private life, and warn every single person he associates with,considering he had done nothing criminal yet.

Judging by the witnesses describing a man that looked just like Bocklage, and the fact that his personal vehicle was discovered 19 hours north of Kansas City, in a completely different country, I would say the odds are pretty high Bocklage was there.


I would imagine for every person a college views a hostile or a potential threat, the odds of him going on a shooting spree are pretty remote (less than 0.1%). Also, how would the college even know that there was any relationship with the victim? The college can't be expected to have someone investigate Bocklage's private life, and warn every single person he associates with,considering he had done nothing criminal yet.


Witness testimony has been wrong time and time again on this show...not sure why this time should be any different. He could have had a buddy or family member resembling him do it, etc

As far as the college admin: Tanya wasn't just some random person - She was in their inner circle. She had friends there. She was well liked. In fact I believe the segment involves Richard begging her to use her connections at the college to get him reinstated...

It just feels like they hung her out to dry after their decision. No warning to her, nothing.
Just a quick "Hey we are ruling against this psycho that you used to date, please take the proper precautions" could have made the difference between life and death.

It just feels like they hung her out to dry after their decision. No warning to her, nothing.
Just a quick "Hey we are ruling against this psycho that you used to date, please take the proper precautions" could have made the difference between life and death.

If Bocklage was just known as a volatile person, and had no history of actual violence, then nobody could have foresaw the events leading to her death. Additionally, the Police would not have been able to do anything, since no crime had yet to occur.

A lot of discussion about his car...

Has it ever been confirmed that Richard was ever actually in that small town? Aside from his car and a sighting or two that cannot be confirmed?
He could have easily had a buddy or family friend dump it there as a diversion.

Also the school board voting against him - did anyone else get cowardly vibes from them? They knew he was on a war path after voting against him and scurried away like scared little rodents instead of warning Tanya or others.
In other words - they had to have easily known the full weight of what their decision was going to do. Hence their hurry.

I seriously doubt a family member or friend would drive over 1200 miles into northern Canada just for that, that seems like serious overkill just for a diversion.

As for the school board, I will agree their behavior was not the greatest look. Can't imagine people doing that unless they really believe someone might be dangerous. I have to think they had some reason to think he might be or they would not have acted that way. In which case they should have called the authorities. Especially if they thought he was walking around with a concealed weapon. That inaction could have got Tanya killed.

Obviously there is no way of knowing for sure, since the cops would probably not have been able to do much since Richard hadn't committed a crime yet at that point, but they could have at least come out and confronted Bocklage and questioned him to get an idea even if they had nothing to arrest him for, or at least get an idea if they should keep an eye on the situation. I'm not sure if concealed carry was legal in Missouri in 1980, if it wasn't they could have detained him for that if he had one. Might have saved Tanya's life who knows?

If Bocklage was just known as a volatile person, and had no history of actual violence, then nobody could have foresaw the events leading to her death. Additionally, the Police would not have been able to do anything, since no crime had yet to occur.

I agree. The staff members knew him as a pain in the ass who was prone to outbursts. But it’s quite the jump to cold blooded killer. Nobody would have seen that coming. And whether it’s 1980 or today, I don’t see a University contacting the ex of any former student to tell them their ex is throwing a fit.

If Bocklage was just known as a volatile person, and had no history of actual violence, then nobody could have foresaw the events leading to her death. Additionally, the Police would not have been able to do anything, since no crime had yet to occur.


Agreed. Cops couldn't do anything....but Tanya could have.

I'm just saying...the admin knew Tanya. A simple "Hey we ruled against your ex...watch out" even if just because they were expecting an outburst.

They obviously knew how he was as they quickly disbanded with haste and then scurried in the opposite direction when they saw him. They should have at least given Tanya the opportunity to do the same.

I agree. The staff members knew him as a pain in the ass who was prone to outbursts. But it’s quite the jump to cold blooded killer. Nobody would have seen that coming. And whether it’s 1980 or today, I don’t see a University contacting the ex of any former student to tell them their ex is throwing a fit.



Even if they were just expecting an outburst or stalking or something non fatal...they knew/liked Tanya and should have warned her. Again, they sure got the hell out of there with quickness and ducked the other way when they saw him - they knew he was unstable. Even if they had not expected anything to happen, once they seen him pull in they knew that THEIR decision caused him to jump in his car and speed up there for vengeance.

I seriously doubt a family member or friend would drive over 1200 miles into northern Canada just for that, that seems like serious overkill just for a diversion.

As for the school board, I will agree their behavior was not the greatest look. Can't imagine people doing that unless they really believe someone might be dangerous. I have to think they had some reason to think he might be or they would not have acted that way. In which case they should have called the authorities. Especially if they thought he was walking around with a concealed weapon. That inaction could have got Tanya killed.

Obviously there is no way of knowing for sure, since the cops would probably not have been able to do much since Richard hadn't committed a crime yet at that point, but they could have at least come out and confronted Bocklage and questioned him to get an idea even if they had nothing to arrest him for, or at least get an idea if they should keep an eye on the situation. I'm not sure if concealed carry was legal in Missouri in 1980, if it wasn't they could have detained him for that if he had one. Might have saved Tanya's life who knows?


It's not "just for a diversion" It's for his freedom. The stakes were very high. The man's freedom was on the line. He probably called in any and all favor owed to him...I know I would.

They obviously knew how he was as they quickly disbanded with haste and then scurried in the opposite direction when they saw him. They should have at least given Tanya the opportunity to do the same.

Absolutely ridiculous.

The University cannot contact every single person Bocklage has relationships with. Additionally, she had broken up with him. How on Earth would they suspect that he was going to take it out on her.


From life experience, it makes absolutely no sense. I've worked with a small minority of people that were either let go, or left due to being loose cannons. At no time would we phone their family and friends to "watch out" for him, and he may "snap," since not only is that highly unlikely, but it would most likely backfire, and could be against civil laws (work/school confidentiality). It could also make the situation worse, with friends and family seeing the person no as a threat, or being in denial. Additionally, the chances of an unstable employee committing a murder are very remote (maybe 1 in 1000).

The people that are blaming the college, or accusing them of being "cowards" for not phoning Tanya, do not have any life experience. Real life does not work like that. People here are just watching too many crime dramas, and are out of touch with the real World.

Absolutely ridiculous.

The University cannot contact every single person Bocklage has relationships with. Additionally, she had broken up with him. How on Earth would they suspect that he was going to take it out on her.


From life experience, it makes absolutely no sense. I've worked with a small minority of people that were either let go, or left due to being loose cannons. At no time would we phone their family and friends to "watch out" for him, and he may "snap," since not only is that highly unlikely, but it would most likely backfire, and could be against civil laws (work/school confidentiality). It could also make the situation worse, with friends and family seeing the person no as a threat, or being in denial. Additionally, the chances of an unstable employee committing a murder are very remote (maybe 1 in 1000).

The people that are blaming the college, or accusing them of being "cowards" for not phoning Tanya, do not have any life experience. Real life does not work like that. People here are just watching too many crime dramas, and are out of touch with the real World.


Who said anything about contacting "every single person"?

Have said this a few times now:

She was not some "random person"
She was their friend.
She had connections there
They knew he was nuts and blamed her and the school (As evidenced by their behavior)

Who said anything about contacting "every single person"?

Have said this a few times now:

She was not some "random person"
She was their friend.
She had connections there
They knew he was nuts and blamed her and the school (As evidenced by their behavior)


Unless she had an actual restraining order on him, or he announced that he was going to harm her, there was nothing the college could do. There are legal issues against that type of thing (Bocklage civil rights, etc).

And again, Bocklage has committed no crime, and to my knowledge, had made no actual threats against her. It's easy to play armchair QB, and comment after the fact that the college should have informed them, but the faculty can't do this every time they have a disgruntled student come into the college. It's not feasible.

I'm inclined to agree. More I learn about the case the more I think he is probably dead. i'm about 80-20 that he is. Still think its a possibility he could be out there but more than likely not.

I think what does it for me the most is he supposedly drove until he ran out of gas to a remote place like this. Far more indicative to me of a desperate man who realized his life was basically over rather than someone who had a definitive plan to go into hiding and start a new life. Not only had he flunked out of college, he lost his fiance, and wound up killing her and then knew he's facing life in prison if he is caught. ...

Like you I am beginning to think Bocklage just came to the realization his life as he knew it was over and decided to just go off the face of the Earth. Either he committed suicide out in the woods or he overestimated his own survival abilities and perished. i personally think its the latter, he was simply not thinking clearly.

...


At the end of the day, this remains my thought. There was the spirited discussion much earlier in this thread as to whether he killed himself. I don't think that was his original plan, but that ended up being what happened either by his own hand or simply succumbing to the elements.

I think Bocklage originally meant to get as far north as he could as fast as he could, lay low for a few days or however long and then sneak back into the States or go elsewhere with assistance. Said it in another thread recently but I truly think Bocklage's fatal mistake was underestimating the Canadian wilderness in late September, when it is getting much colder up there at night than here in the Midwest. Coupled with what many others have said about the bugs and other wildlife outside Thompson, Bocklage succumbed relatively quickly and his remains no longer exist outside of some scattered bones that may or may not be found by a stroke of luck.

Bocklage has no known ties to Canada, correct? There's just no way I could see him still being alive and I think he killed himself shortly after ditching the car. He probably just kept driving north from St. Louis until his means ran out.

Bocklage has no known ties to Canada, correct? There's just no way I could see him still being alive and I think he killed himself shortly after ditching the car. He probably just kept driving north from St. Louis until his means ran out.

I've never read anything to indicate any ties in Canada. Doesn't seem he did. Inclined to agree he's probably dead. As I was stating above, his actions to me scream more that of a desperate man who had it dawn on him that his life was probably over then someone who had conceived a good plan to disappear and start a new life on the run. I think this is what often happens with rage killings. Once the rage is stated from the killing, often times these guys just realize the gravity of the situation and accept that it is over.

One key detail the UM segment left out is the letter in the car he left saying anyone who found the car could keep it. That was fairly significant, indicates he did not intend to return to the car and was basically cutting ties with the last connection to his old life. And he drove till he ran out of gas. Another sign of someone not thinking clearly.

I think its possible that he might have hitchhiked back to Thompson, or took a bus out of the town. But not likely. Seems more likely he either committed suicide, or overestimated his own survival abilities and just died in the woods.

Only reason I think its possible is because I think Canada accepts US dollars so he could have paid cash for a bus fare, its possible. But there is nothing to indicate he bought any survival gear or equipment that he would have needed to survive out there.

Only reason I think its possible is because I think Canada accepts US dollars so he could have paid cash for a bus fare, its possible.

This would have been extremely basic detective work that was obviously investigated, asked and answered at the onset.

I think he's alive. He was a young man when he disappeared. And evidently if you ditch your car near a remote area, people will just assume that you wandered into the wilderness and succumbed to the elements.

If he was able to lay low in Canada for a while under a fake name, it's unlikely the authorities would find him as long as he didn't get arrested for a DUI or something. Gloria Schulze did that and she stayed undetected for the rest of her life.

I think he's alive. He was a young man when he disappeared. And evidently if you ditch your car near a remote area, people will just assume that you wandered into the wilderness and succumbed to the elements.

If he was able to lay low in Canada for a while under a fake name, it's unlikely the authorities would find him as long as he didn't get arrested for a DUI or something. Gloria Schulze did that and she stayed undetected for the rest of her life.

Sharon Kinney "La Pistolera" also remained undetected in Canada for the rest of her life

It seems like statistically it could be easier to disappear in Canada than the USA because of the vast rural space that one could hide. that said a lot of it would be inhabitable, I think. there were several examples on the show where people were found in Canada, but others where people disappeared and were never found like the sherwood family. I saw another show recently, I think Dateline, where a wanted rapist murderer was tracked down in one of the most remote places in Canada and was found thanks to ancestry DNA. they found his brothers first and ruled them out and found his remote location through his brothers, (IIRC). the remote community was only accessible by train and everyone in the community were shocked when they found out the guy was a murderer. I'll try and find the case so that I can add it to my post.

Richard is most likely dead. The thought of him still living in Canada or the USA is hard to fathom, but it's never too late to get that update where he's being hauled to jail on camera.

Sharon Kinney "La Pistolera" also remained undetected in Canada for the rest of her life

Clearly Richard Bocklage wasn't Sharon Kinney though. Kinney was basically a textbook sociopath, she could commit crime after crime and not bat an eye. She was capable of cold calculation and was devilishly clever. Its way easier to believe she could elude the law for that long and she did. The woman simply had no conscience nor any difficulty planning a new life regardless of what she did.

Bocklage on the other hand seemed like the all American boy who just tragically flipped when a bunch of things snowballed on him. Not unlike Dennis DePue only he was a lot younger of course. He was basically a one time rage killer who just fell apart rather than a sociopath with no conscience like Kinney. And the type of person who was far more likely to have an oh no what have I done moment.

At least in my opinion. Its always possible I could be underestimating Richard but just based on everything we know I would wager far less that he could elude law enforcement that long than someone like Kinney.

Clearly Richard Bocklage wasn't Sharon Kinney though. Kinney was basically a textbook sociopath, she could commit crime after crime and not bat an eye. She was capable of cold calculation and was devilishly clever. Its way easier to believe she could elude the law for that long and she did. The woman simply had no conscience nor any difficulty planning a new life regardless of what she did.

Bocklage on the other hand seemed like the all American boy who just tragically flipped when a bunch of things snowballed on him. Not unlike Dennis DePue only he was a lot younger of course. He was basically a one time rage killer who just fell apart rather than a sociopath with no conscience like Kinney. And the type of person who was far more likely to have an oh no what have I done moment.

At least in my opinion. Its always possible I could be underestimating Richard but just based on everything we know I would wager far less that he could elude law enforcement that long than someone like Kinney.

I was just adding Sharon Kinne as another criminal who eluded justice in Canada.

I haven't had a chance to view the Richard Bocklage episode. Based on the UM archives version, UM Fandom and the comments on this thread I think it is a possibilty he survived by catching a bus and/or being rescued by a family member and relocating within Canada or elsewhere. A possibilty I cannot rule out.

I crossed into Canada with a harvest crew as a teen. Also some military experience in Alaska. All of you who state the unforgiving nature of Canada are absolutely right. A simple mistake or accident that would result in discomfort or difficulty most places in the lower 48 would be lethal up North.

Based on personal experience, the previously mentioned references and the comments on this thread including yours, I agree the far greater probability is that he perished.

Clearly Richard Bocklage wasn't Sharon Kinney though. Kinney was basically a textbook sociopath, she could commit crime after crime and not bat an eye. She was capable of cold calculation and was devilishly clever. Its way easier to believe she could elude the law for that long and she did. The woman simply had no conscience nor any difficulty planning a new life regardless of what she did.

Bocklage on the other hand seemed like the all American boy who just tragically flipped when a bunch of things snowballed on him. Not unlike Dennis DePue only he was a lot younger of course. He was basically a one time rage killer who just fell apart rather than a sociopath with no conscience like Kinney. And the type of person who was far more likely to have an oh no what have I done moment.

At least in my opinion. Its always possible I could be underestimating Richard but just based on everything we know I would wager far less that he could elude law enforcement that long than someone like Kinney.

I would have to respectfully disagree. Bocklage was not well liked by any of Tanya" Kopric's friends, who felt he was using her for money. Bocklage was also known to be temperamental to the University, and had at least one incident where be became belligerent. The odds of Bocklage being like this to Tanya is very strong. he seemed to lack impulse control.

The fact that the University staff felt the need to avoid a confrontation with Bocklage, suggests that they knew he was capable of violence. The note he mailed to the family of Kopric, is a classic move of a sociopath. Incidentally, Dennis DePue was also not a guy who just "flipped out" one day. Depue's own children began to refuse to spend time with him. When your own children do not want to see you, there is usually a very valid reason for them to do so.

Bocklage knew exactly what he was doing, as it was an execution-style murder, and most likely feels no remorse for what he did.

I agree. The staff members knew him as a pain in the ass who was prone to outbursts. But it’s quite the jump to cold blooded killer. Nobody would have seen that coming. And whether it’s 1980 or today, I don’t see a University contacting the ex of any former student to tell them their ex is throwing a fit.

We also have to keep in mind that even if the University did suspect that Bocklage was capable of going on a shooting rampage, they were limited as to what they could do, in terms of contacting others outside the school, or law enforcement.

An example would be Seung-Hiu Cho, the Virginia Tech school shooter. It was well known and reported by several individuals that suspected Cho may be a future school shooter. His roommates, classmates, and even a professor reported him to administrators of the college.

One respected professor in retrospect noticed that attendance in her class was dwindling with each passing day. She found out the Cho was so intimidating to the other students, especially women, that they were actually dropping out of the class, The Professor, who was widely respected, was so rattled in regards to Cho's behaviour that she eventually told the school that she would outright quit her job, rather than teach Cho in her class again.

Cho's roommates even reported antisocial, and even disturbing incidents, including making stabbing motions with a knife at a school party, filming them on cell without their permission, and phoning them while they were on holidays, claiming that he was having lunch with Vladimir Putin.

Cho even was in trouble for stalking woman on campus, and at one point Campus Police went to his dorm, and told him to have no contact with a certain woman. Cho's response was to tell his dorm roommates that he was going to commit suicide.

Later on, one of the psychologists that was working at Virginia Tech actually called Cho out, as he was of the opinion that Cho was manipulating people, and faking much of his selective mutism. When confronted, Cho got extremely angry, and began swearing at the professor, and knocking things over.

This all happened in 2007, and the school felt powerless to have Cho removed from the school, since they feared that doing so would result on Cho's legal rights being infringed upon. If a school felt powerless in removing a young man, who many feared would eventually do something extremely violent, it would have been even more of the case in 1980, when mental health problems were swept under the rug, and violent incidents were not taken as seriouosly.

Someone as unhinged as Bocklage would have been captured ages ago if he was alive. He would clearly have attracted a lot of attention during one of his episodes.

As someone else noted, Kinney and Bocklage are polar opposites. Kinney could fool the world, especially if that world was mainly run by men. Bocklage fooled Tanya, and only for a little while, and that was about it. Everyone else saw this train wreck coming a mile away. Perhaps not to the extent that it ultimately became, but they were all leery nonetheless.

Gloria Schulze was also someone who could (and did) evade capture. She did what she had to do: just kept a low profile and likely avoided driving under the influence. Actually, she couldn't legally drive at all without proper ID. If I remember correctly, she didn't even create/steal a new identity; she just used an alias with no paperwork.

Bocklage would have snapped again and again. It was beyond his control. Even if his issues were triggered exclusively by women and personal failure, he couldn't have completely avoided both of these things. Even if properly medicated, logic dictates that he would have gone off his meds at some point and someone would have noticed something.

I say 0% chance this guy survived for any length of time. He was way too much of a live wire. Come to think of it, the same could be said of Randall Utterback. These guys were both far too unhinged to be skilled thespians for the rest of their lives. Not a chance in the world.

Bocklage was seen by two locals in the town where his car was abandoned. He would've stood out, especially in a small Canadian town. And this was back in 1980. Unlike other fugitives who have been seen or spotted at various points across North Ameria throughout the years (Richard Bare immediately comes to mind), there have been no sightings of Bocklage since 1980. I think the FBI visiting family members in 2021 saying he had been committing bank robberies across the US was a ruse intended to flush out information if they had seen or been helping them since he disappeared in 1980. The last time anyone has heard from him was the letter mailed to Tonya's parents. I think he's dead.

Gloria Schulze was also someone who could (and did) evade capture. She did what she had to do: just kept a low profile and likely avoided driving under the influence. Actually, she couldn't legally drive at all without proper ID. If I remember correctly, she didn't even create/steal a new identity; she just used an alias with no paperwork.

Gloria Schulze had two major advantages in evading capture.

1. She had very rich parents who got lawyers that delayed the case for an obscene amount of time and got her special privileges, (like being allowed to leave the state three separate times) the kind of perks that would never be allowed for people who aren't rich. These parents also used their money to hide her. Glorida herself never amounted to anything in her life and could never keep a job.

2. A justice system that didn't really seem to care about her crime. The fact that she missed 6 court ordered drug testing dates and it was never noticed until months after she went into hiding is proof that law enforcement didn't consider it a priority. If she had murdered someone with a gun or a knife, I feel things would have been much different. But murdering someone through drunk driving...the police couldn't even seem to fake interest in trying to find her.

In the end, she didn't need to keep a low profile. And she continued to drink and drive, just proving that there was never a single ounce of remorse as the decades past. The world is a better place now that she's dead and people are safer on the road too.

Richard Bockledge was also a sociopath with zero ability to have any guilt whatsoever. His family isn't rich like Gloria Schulze's, but I also wouldn't put it past them to help him hide out some place for years and years. My gut continues to tell me he did NOT commit suicide. He was too arrogant to do that. But I'm not sure he's alive. He could have died of exposure or maybe came across someone who wasn't going to put up with his crap and killed him ...but I don't get the sense he killed himself.

Richard Bockledge was also a sociopath with zero ability to have any guilt whatsoever. His family isn't rich like Gloria Schulze's, but I also wouldn't put it past them to help him hide out some place for years and years. My gut continues to tell me he did NOT commit suicide. He was too arrogant to do that. But I'm not sure he's alive. He could have died of exposure or maybe came across someone who wasn't going to put up with his crap and killed him ...but I don't get the sense he killed himself.

These thoughts have run across my mind over the years as well. I do agree that he likely had no capacity to feel guilt, but he certainly could feel the consequences of his actions catching up to him. I still think he could have killed himself due to not wishing to face justice rather than out of any remorse. If he was so delusional that he thought he could have defended his actions in court, he would not have fled. He knew what he did was bad--or at least knew enough to realize that the rest of the world would see it was terrible even if he did not. Similar to Hitler (if you share the general consensus that he indeed killed himself in the bunker).

I would have to respectfully disagree. Bocklage was not well liked by any of Tanya" Kopric's friends, who felt he was using her for money. Bocklage was also known to be temperamental to the University, and had at least one incident where be became belligerent. The odds of Bocklage being like this to Tanya is very strong. he seemed to lack impulse control.

The fact that the University staff felt the need to avoid a confrontation with Bocklage, suggests that they knew he was capable of violence. The note he mailed to the family of Kopric, is a classic move of a sociopath. Incidentally, Dennis DePue was also not a guy who just "flipped out" one day. Depue's own children began to refuse to spend time with him. When your own children do not want to see you, there is usually a very valid reason for them to do so.

Bocklage knew exactly what he was doing, as it was an execution-style murder, and most likely feels no remorse for what he did.

To be clear, I'm not saying Bocklage and DePue were angels or victims nor am I justifying what either of them did. Obviously both of them had serious flaws that led to murder. I'm just saying that it is debatable if they were born sociopaths with no conscience at all. which I think Sharon Kinney was. Since neither had any history of violence or trouble with the law before these incidents, it is debatable. But both did have serious issues to where they became loose cannons towards the end, assuming of course Bocklage is dead. No denying that.

As to Dennis's kids not wanting to see him, he contended it was because their mother was poisoning their minds against him. Not saying that was true, but for all we know it could have been. Same with Tonya Kopric's friends, naturally they were going to cast her in a more favorable light. Now what they said may very well have been true, we simply don't know since we only really got one side of the story.

But I guess this goes back to the old argument whether or not killers are born naturally or are made. I've always been a believer both can happen.

Bocklage was seen by two locals in the town where his car was abandoned. He would've stood out, especially in a small Canadian town.

What has never been clear to me though and I think it might be critical, was he actually seen in town or was he seen somewhere out in the countryside near town? I'm assuming there are farms or ranches that are outside of town, or just residences on relatively large pieces of land that might be outside the town limits.

If its the latter, then in my mind it strengthens the theory that he probably died out in the wilderness after underestimating his own survival abilities.

But if he was actually seen in town, to me it changes the whole complexion of it. It means that he made it back to Thompson which may indicate he did not intend to try to go Rambo in the Canadian wilderness. In which case I think he could have easily hitched a ride out of town or took a bus. I guess its possible too he could have even found work there, I don't know what kind of jobs would have been available in Thompson or how hard they were to get. Though from what people said if he tried to live there he would have stood out.

It would also be worth knowing exactly how far outside Thompson his car was found. The further out the harder it would have been for him to make it back on foot.

No way of knowing for sure but knowing a few of these critical details like how far outside town his car was found and exactly where he was seen would help gauge the odds a little better.

To be clear, I'm not saying Bocklage and DePue were angels or victims nor am I justifying what either of them did. Obviously both of them had serious flaws that led to murder. I'm just saying that it is debatable if they were born sociopaths with no conscience at all. which I think Sharon Kinney was. Since neither had any history of violence or trouble with the law before these incidents, it is debatable. But both did have serious issues to where they became loose cannons towards the end, assuming of course Bocklage is dead.

I still think Bocklage was a sociopath. The manipulation of Tanya, where he pretty much used her for the duration of the relationship, the inability to accept failure to the point of attending class after he flunked out. The note to her parents is a textbook example of what a sociopath who lacks any sort of empathy, would do.

As to Dennis's kids not wanting to see him, he contended it was because their mother was poisoning their minds against him. Not saying that was true, but for all we know it could have been. Same with Tonya Kopric's friends, naturally they were going to cast her in a more favorable light. Now what they said may very well have been true, we simply don't know since we only really got one side of the story.

While it's possible that his wife manipulated the children against him, the fact that DePue physically attacked her in front of the children, and loaded her in his vehicle, while unconscious, only to kill her, with their children freaking out, leaves the impression that if she did do anything to advise her childrena gainst DePue, it was deserved.

The fact that DePue would do something like this, to traumatise his own children, is another sign of psychopathy- not caring about anyone but himself. His own son would later be in trouble with the law as recently as a few years ago, and probably suffered from PTSD, after his Dad killed his Mom, and him being powerless to stop him.

But I guess this goes back to the old argument whether or not killers are born naturally or are made. I've always been a believer both can happen.[/QUOTE]