Tom Roche - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

crystaldawn · 02-10-2006, 12:53 PM

I'm sure most of you remember this segment but for those of you who may not he was the metal plating specialist/weekend biker who disappeared and remains were later found. After he went missing a letter was sent to Tom's live in girlfriend confessing that the letter writer was the murderer and even included some of Tom's personal belongings to help convince her it was true. I had seen this segment countless times and was always curious what the letter said and if it gave any clue as to why he killed Tom. They do show parts of it quickly on UM and decided a few weeks ago to pause it and see if I could decipher any of it. Anyway here is what I've come up with:

"I am suffering a great deal of guilt right now about what I have done and it is necessary to write about it for my sake and yours. You don't know me and hopefully never will but I am the one who killed Tom Roche. I cannot and will not go to jail. I could never handle it.

I almost lost my mind. Never again after being in Vietnam. In fact these were the ugliest days of my life. I felt such a rush whenever I had a confirmed kill. It was hard to switch it off when I came back to the United States for it is (???). I have had this in check except for the nightmares and fantasies about killing. This Jeffrey Dahmer thing really got to me and I wondered if I could still do it.

I figured it would be the best place for what I had in mind."

Well I apologize for it being disjointed as they only show parts of the letter. It really does give you some idea of the mindset of the killer though. If anyone has any better luck deciphering this letter or can add anything to it, feel free.

DarkDante · 02-10-2006, 05:33 PM

Wow not as creepy as the "Kay" letter or the guy who thought he was on a tour with Michael Jackson but still...some sick f****ks out there.

mercy1825 · 02-27-2006, 11:03 PM

A little further down,

The killer says that he met tom in a strip bar. They planned to meet that Friday. He says he killed Tom early Friday and that Tom did not suffer much, he died quickly.

I paused it a turned the brightness up on my tv si I could read the bottom portions of the letter.

crystaldawn · 02-28-2006, 10:06 AM

Wow thanks a lot mercy!! It was interesting getting that additional piece of information because it explains how he knew Tom. I wonder if he had chose Tom to kill after they met since it appears this person planned on killing someone. It also makes me think that the killer is the man seen with Tom by his truck in front of his apartment.

boechsner · 05-25-2006, 03:55 PM

Does anyone know when this segment originally aired? It aired today on Lifetime along with the Ben Stahl case which aired April 7, 1993. The Our Lady of Guadalupe segment and the Road Rage segment also aired, but did they all air on April 7, 1993?

Boba · 06-05-2006, 02:54 AM

I think I remember this case, and I don't think UM mentioned that his remains were found. In fact, the episode goes on to suggest that maybe Tom planned his own disappearance to start a new life.

crystaldawn · 06-05-2006, 07:03 AM

I believe there was an update at the end of the segment that said some remains were found and had been positively identified as Tom Roche's.

mozartpc27 · 12-14-2007, 06:20 PM

So what happened with the DNA in this case? Were the bone fragments officially identified as Tom Roche's? My guess is that he orchestrated the whole thing himself, but, if the bones were identified as his, then I'm obviously wrong...

EDIT: Never mind, found my answer in another thread. Looks like it was him.

kadrmas15 · 12-15-2007, 01:04 PM

Wasnt there was one of those lifetime updates on one that said that Tom's body was found several years later? It is just a strange case, an anonymous note, then some of Tom's possessions were found in Placer County, California which I believe is in the northern part of the state, just north of Sacramento I think. Tom lived in Los Angeles County so that is obviously quite the distance between the two spots.

But I thought there was a lifetime update that said that Tom Roche's body was found in the late 90's? I dont know why Tom would do this elaborate disapperance, he wasnt in trouble with the law or in trouble financially, so if he wanted to leave his girlfriend he would have just told her I think.

There was the whole sighting of Tom with the mysterious man at his apartment building the day he disappeared. The guy that owned that parts store, I think he did see Tom but I think he had the days mixed up about what day he saw him. But then again, I also cannot figure out why anyone would want to kill Tom unless it was just something the killer did for kicks.

LooksLikeCRicci · 01-21-2008, 10:17 PM

Am I the ONLY one who thinks that Tom disappeared to start a new life? I just thought it was odd that his body ended up being found nowhere near where the letter said it was, in addition to his body being found with a bunch of shirts, like he had almost packed to go on a long trip. Maybe I'm totally cynical, but I tend to assume that he wrote the letter himself, only to meet with foul play later.

That's just me, though.

peachysquirt21 · 01-21-2008, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LooksLikeCRicci

Am I the ONLY one who thinks that Tom disappeared to start a new life? I just thought it was odd that his body ended up being found nowhere near where the letter said it was, in addition to his body being found with a bunch of shirts, like he had almost packed to go on a long trip. Maybe I'm totally cynical, but I tend to assume that he wrote the letter himself, only to meet with foul play later.

That's just me, though.

Yeah that is one of the things in this case that puzzles me. I mean if he had met up with someone the day he dissapeared & then was murdered that day or a short time later, why did they find these items as well. I don't think he had all these things stored in his truck.

Another thing tho is if he took off on his own free will why did he deposit his check & not just cash it & take the money with him. That's another thing that seems odd with this case.

Then the guy in the auto parts store who saw him. Even if he did get his days mixed up it seems odd that Tom didn't even bother to talk to him & just left after a short time. The auto parts guy gave the impression that they was on a friendly basis & talked whenever he came into the store. I find this strange as well.

lilmissd · 01-22-2008, 11:23 AM

I definitey think that Tom was the kind of guy that if he wanted to leave he would have. But from what I gather about him from his girlfriend, who says they were together for a long time, wouldn't have just left without letting her or someone know about it or at least an explaination. I think that this killer is the worst kind of scum. Who writes a letter to someone's loved one(s) and tells them how they were murdered!? I don't think the killer wrote the letter out of the kindness of his heart or out of guilt; I think he did it to make her suffer and to cause terrible emotional pain and distress. I think this guy "gets off" by doing this just for the hell of it, because he CAN! I hope and pray that he hasn't gone and done the same thing to someone else. Did he give a reason for the murder? I mean what could Tom have done to this guy that was so bad, that he would just take his life and ditch him like a piece of trash out in the middle of nowhere? I can only pray that whomever did this gets caught someday. Because you know he's the type of guy that if he's gotten away with it once, he's gonna do it again!

crystaldawn · 01-22-2008, 05:11 PM

Well Cricci I must I think you are absolutely certifiable if you think Tom Roche left of his own choice.

No really I have never seriously thought that because the letter mailed to his girlfriend sounded pretty credible as to what happened and lets not forget that his belongings were in there as well. That would be beyond cruel for him to do that to someone he seemed to love so much. Plus the fact that they did find his remains out in a field sounds like someone disposed of his body after killing him. There were some very specific things mentioned in the letter about the guy being a Vietnam vet that I think would help the police in their investigation, I wonder if they ever had a suspect.

wiseguy182 · 01-22-2008, 10:39 PM

I agree with crystaldawn and lilmissd, I can't see Tom Roche being that dramatic to stage his own disapperance.

ididn'tdoit · 01-24-2008, 04:25 PM

I can't see why Tom would want to hurt his girlfriend even if he did want to start a new life, he could've just told her that in a letter and she would have been able to move on with her life, they seemed to be very close so for him to just leave her and letting her suffer like that, no way.

I just rewatched this segment on CD's dvd and it really makes me wonder if the remains were actually identified as those of Tom. Some of you talk about an update, but there wasn't an update on CD's dvd :/ I would really like to know what happened to Tom...

02-10-2006, 12:53 PM	#1
crystaldawn Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 17, 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,261	Tom Roche I'm sure most of you remember this segment but for those of you who may not he was the metal plating specialist/weekend biker who disappeared and remains were later found. After he went missing a letter was sent to Tom's live in girlfriend confessing that the letter writer was the murderer and even included some of Tom's personal belongings to help convince her it was true. I had seen this segment countless times and was always curious what the letter said and if it gave any clue as to why he killed Tom. They do show parts of it quickly on UM and decided a few weeks ago to pause it and see if I could decipher any of it. Anyway here is what I've come up with: "I am suffering a great deal of guilt right now about what I have done and it is necessary to write about it for my sake and yours. You don't know me and hopefully never will but I am the one who killed Tom Roche. I cannot and will not go to jail. I could never handle it. I almost lost my mind. Never again after being in Vietnam. In fact these were the ugliest days of my life. I felt such a rush whenever I had a confirmed kill. It was hard to switch it off when I came back to the United States for it is (???). I have had this in check except for the nightmares and fantasies about killing. This Jeffrey Dahmer thing really got to me and I wondered if I could still do it. I figured it would be the best place for what I had in mind." Well I apologize for it being disjointed as they only show parts of the letter. It really does give you some idea of the mindset of the killer though. If anyone has any better luck deciphering this letter or can add anything to it, feel free.

02-27-2006, 11:03 PM	#3
mercy1825 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 04, 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 176	A little more A little further down, The killer says that he met tom in a strip bar. They planned to meet that Friday. He says he killed Tom early Friday and that Tom did not suffer much, he died quickly. I paused it a turned the brightness up on my tv si I could read the bottom portions of the letter.

12-14-2007, 06:20 PM	#8
mozartpc27 Vigilante Logician Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 09, 2006 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 924	So what happened with the DNA in this case? Were the bone fragments officially identified as Tom Roche's? My guess is that he orchestrated the whole thing himself, but, if the bones were identified as his, then I'm obviously wrong... EDIT: Never mind, found my answer in another thread. Looks like it was him.
	__________________ "You can't say the words that the rock makes you feel like." - Patty Johnson Last edited by mozartpc27; 12-14-2007 at 09:03 PM.

02-10-2006, 05:33 PM	#2
DarkDante Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 27, 2002 Posts: 1,569	Wow not as creepy as the "Kay" letter or the guy who thought he was on a tour with Michael Jackson but still...some sick f****ks out there.

02-28-2006, 10:06 AM	#4
crystaldawn Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 17, 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,261	Wow thanks a lot mercy!! It was interesting getting that additional piece of information because it explains how he knew Tom. I wonder if he had chose Tom to kill after they met since it appears this person planned on killing someone. It also makes me think that the killer is the man seen with Tom by his truck in front of his apartment.

05-25-2006, 03:55 PM	#5
boechsner Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2000 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 2,212	Does anyone know when this segment originally aired? It aired today on Lifetime along with the Ben Stahl case which aired April 7, 1993. The Our Lady of Guadalupe segment and the Road Rage segment also aired, but did they all air on April 7, 1993?

06-05-2006, 02:54 AM	#6
Boba Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Jun 05, 2006 Posts: 4	I think I remember this case, and I don't think UM mentioned that his remains were found. In fact, the episode goes on to suggest that maybe Tom planned his own disappearance to start a new life.

06-05-2006, 07:03 AM	#7
crystaldawn Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 17, 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,261	I believe there was an update at the end of the segment that said some remains were found and had been positively identified as Tom Roche's.

12-15-2007, 01:04 PM	#9
kadrmas15 Retired from Board 03/03/11 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,910	Wasnt there was one of those lifetime updates on one that said that Tom's body was found several years later? It is just a strange case, an anonymous note, then some of Tom's possessions were found in Placer County, California which I believe is in the northern part of the state, just north of Sacramento I think. Tom lived in Los Angeles County so that is obviously quite the distance between the two spots. But I thought there was a lifetime update that said that Tom Roche's body was found in the late 90's? I dont know why Tom would do this elaborate disapperance, he wasnt in trouble with the law or in trouble financially, so if he wanted to leave his girlfriend he would have just told her I think. There was the whole sighting of Tom with the mysterious man at his apartment building the day he disappeared. The guy that owned that parts store, I think he did see Tom but I think he had the days mixed up about what day he saw him. But then again, I also cannot figure out why anyone would want to kill Tom unless it was just something the killer did for kicks.

01-21-2008, 10:17 PM	#10
LooksLikeCRicci Likes to live in a clean house Moderator Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 27, 2005 Posts: 4,050	Am I the ONLY one who thinks that Tom disappeared to start a new life? I just thought it was odd that his body ended up being found nowhere near where the letter said it was, in addition to his body being found with a bunch of shirts, like he had almost packed to go on a long trip. Maybe I'm totally cynical, but I tend to assume that he wrote the letter himself, only to meet with foul play later. That's just me, though.

01-22-2008, 11:23 AM	#12
lilmissd Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 28, 2007 Location: AZ Posts: 172	I definitey think that Tom was the kind of guy that if he wanted to leave he would have. But from what I gather about him from his girlfriend, who says they were together for a long time, wouldn't have just left without letting her or someone know about it or at least an explaination. I think that this killer is the worst kind of scum. Who writes a letter to someone's loved one(s) and tells them how they were murdered!? I don't think the killer wrote the letter out of the kindness of his heart or out of guilt; I think he did it to make her suffer and to cause terrible emotional pain and distress. I think this guy "gets off" by doing this just for the hell of it, because he CAN! I hope and pray that he hasn't gone and done the same thing to someone else. Did he give a reason for the murder? I mean what could Tom have done to this guy that was so bad, that he would just take his life and ditch him like a piece of trash out in the middle of nowhere? I can only pray that whomever did this gets caught someday. Because you know he's the type of guy that if he's gotten away with it once, he's gonna do it again!

01-22-2008, 05:11 PM	#13
crystaldawn Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 17, 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,261	Well Cricci I must I think you are absolutely certifiable if you think Tom Roche left of his own choice. No really I have never seriously thought that because the letter mailed to his girlfriend sounded pretty credible as to what happened and lets not forget that his belongings were in there as well. That would be beyond cruel for him to do that to someone he seemed to love so much. Plus the fact that they did find his remains out in a field sounds like someone disposed of his body after killing him. There were some very specific things mentioned in the letter about the guy being a Vietnam vet that I think would help the police in their investigation, I wonder if they ever had a suspect.

01-22-2008, 10:39 PM	#14
wiseguy182 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 11, 2006 Location: Wendy's salad bar Posts: 7,030	I agree with crystaldawn and lilmissd, I can't see Tom Roche being that dramatic to stage his own disapperance.

01-24-2008, 04:25 PM	#15
ididn'tdoit Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 03, 2006 Posts: 405	I can't see why Tom would want to hurt his girlfriend even if he did want to start a new life, he could've just told her that in a letter and she would have been able to move on with her life, they seemed to be very close so for him to just leave her and letting her suffer like that, no way. I just rewatched this segment on CD's dvd and it really makes me wonder if the remains were actually identified as those of Tom. Some of you talk about an update, but there wasn't an update on CD's dvd :/ I would really like to know what happened to Tom...