The "deaths" of Clarence Roberts - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Kane · 04-07-2002, 02:58 PM

During the first season of Unsolved Mysteries (the 1988-89 season), there was a story about an Inidana man named Clarence Roberts. Does anyone remember it? If not, here is the synopsis:

Clarence Roberts owned a hardware store, and was a financially secure man. However, he decided to take a gamble on more money, but kept losing. Then in 1970, his house burned down and the body found there was identified as his. Then in 1980, ten years later, his wife Geneva was killed in a house fire. Her body was recovered, addition to a second body--which was identified as Clarence Roberts!

This is undoubtedly one of the eeriest cases to be featured on Unsolved Mysteries. It sticks in my mind, and probably will for the rest of my life. I mean, it poses a puzzling question: how could the same man die twice? Clarence's nephew believed he died in the first fire (1970). But the majority of those who were interviewed for the story believe otherwise. They believe he was either killed in the second fire (1980) or might still be alive.

Shortly before the 1970 fire, Clarence Roberts was seen talking with a derelict, who then disappeared. Some believe Clarence killed the derelict and had it passed off as his own in an effort to collect insurance money.

For the next ten years, Clarence's "widow" Geneva insisted that Clarence was dead, but some began to have their doubts. An unknown man was seen in her property, and some people (including the local police) speculated that it was Clarence. This suggested that Geneva had something (or should I say someone) to hide. However, this mysterious man seemed very careful because he would always disappear before anyone could have a chance to identify him.

I am convinced that, in the first fire (1970), a derelict died in Clarence's place. There is no doubt in my mind that Clarence Roberts was alive after the 1970 fire. It is possible for him to be alive today, but it seems to me that he died in the 1980 fire.

This is a very intriguing case, and once you have seen it, you might never forget it. Whether this mystery will ever be solved remains to be seen.

TheWho · 04-07-2002, 03:58 PM

I remember this from last year.

Kane · 04-07-2002, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheWho
I remember this from last year.

You obviously saw it on Lifetime, then. However, it was rerun just a few days ago. But I know it originally aired during the 1988-89 season (UM's first season).

I forgot to mention that there was a piece of evidence suggesting that Clarence Roberts didn't die in the 1970 fire: The burned corpse at that fire had a different blood type than Clarence. To me, this is a sure sign that someone other than Clarence died in that fire.

fivecats · 02-03-2006, 01:11 AM

Okay, this is the best story ever. It has all the elements of classic intrigue and drama. I certainly think that the second man found was Clarence and that he had been in hiding. But the real fun in watching the story unfold before your eyes. If this one was solved, I think it would take away from the fun of speculation.

SitcomsAreTheWay · 02-03-2006, 02:53 PM

I felt so sorry for Geneva though.

SP4CE INV4DERZ · 02-03-2006, 07:53 PM

This case is eerie no doubt about that but it's not really a mystery. Obvious to just about everyone is Clarance didn't die in the first fire but in the second one.

AVERMAN · 02-05-2007, 10:40 PM

An interesting fact about this story is that the fires happened almost exactly 10 years apart to the day.

I also believe the man seen with Clarence just days before the fire was the person who died in the first fire, with Clarence dying in the second fire.

Has this story had any updates?? Probably not considering everybody in the know is dead.

DarkDante · 02-05-2007, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Space Invaderz

This case is eerie no doubt about that but it's not really a mystery. Obvious to just about everyone is Clarance didn't die in the first fire but in the second one.

His sister in law really hated his guts it seems.

Huskerz85 · 02-05-2007, 11:34 PM

He knocked off the bum in fire #1, but was carless enough to leave behind a few personal effects, such as his ring. I'm not sure whether or not he got access to all that insurance money or not, but obviously found a way to subsist for the next decade...........

.....at which point he made contact with his wife, discussed god knows what inside her house and then bumped her off the last night before setting the fire and dying for real.

Does anyone besides me think that fire #2 could've been a mutual thing though?? Clarence was obviously a bum himself pretty much in the last 10 years and his wife was little better. He could've quick shot her or something to prevent the suffering a fiery death would bring and the two would walk off into the next world side by side almost..........

asmitty · 02-06-2007, 02:18 AM

Clarence Roberts is for sure an interesting story. Although I have lived in South Dakota since I was 18, I grew up in Indiana about an hour and a half away from the town where this all took place. The second fire took place when I was 2 months old so I mean, it all happened before my time but I have heard about it more than just through UM. Despite the obviousness that Clarence died in the second fire and not the first, last I heard the records still list him as the victim of both fires.

In regard to Huskerz post above about the ring being carelessly left behind. In the segment they talk about how the ring should have been more damaged by the blaze and they think that it was planted after the fire, hence not a careless thing at all. I think he faked his death for the insurance money. Although, they never got it. I don't know what to speculate about the second fire being murder or double suicide or what but there is a lot of mystery surrounding that.

Huskerz85 · 02-06-2007, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asmitty

I think he faked his death for the insurance money. Although, they never got it.

I don't think they got it until after fire #2, when the pieces began coming together........and things started making more sense in relation to fire #1

DarkDante · 02-06-2007, 03:08 AM

Actually the segment never makes clear whether Clarence and Geneva's children ever recieved a dime on their parents' insurance policies if thats what you are asking about. Clarence and Geneva's deaths in 1980 could've easily been ruled a double suicide.

I could easily have seen Clarence and Geneva along with an accomplice doing themselves in because

A) the authorities were closing in on Clarence Roberts staking out his house and such due to suspicion he murdered someone in the first fire to collect on insurance money

and...

B) Geneva Roberts' life had deteriorated since her husband's "death" in 1970. She had not been able to collect on the insurance policies and her life had pretty much gone down the toliet to be quite frank so I could easily see Geneva joining her husband in committing a double suicide.

Huskerz85 · 02-06-2007, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkDante

Actually the segment never makes clear whether Clarence and Geneva's children ever recieved a dime on their parents' insurance policies if thats what you are asking about. Clarence and Geneva's deaths in 1980 could've easily been ruled a double suicide.

I could easily have seen Clarence and Geneva along with an accomplice doing themselves in because

A) the authorities were closing in on Clarence Roberts staking out his house and such due to suspicion he murdered someone in the first fire to collect on insurance money

and...

B) Geneva Roberts' life had deteriorated since her husband's "death" in 1970. She had not been able to collect on the insurance policies and her life had pretty much gone down the toliet to be quite frank so I could easily see Geneva joining her husband in committing a double suicide.

Exactly! Another small clue supports this theory, particularly part B.........in the last months of her life, Geneva had been buying a good quantity of beer and had even been seen drinking on occasion.........now if she was a diabetic, wouldn't that be pretty hazardous?

dynoguy88 · 02-06-2007, 04:25 PM

I was thinking the same things as you guys while I was putting this story on YouTube.

The first fire took place November 18, 1970. The second fire took place November 18, 1980. What are the odds that they would take place exactly 10 years apart?

I think Clarence and Geneva organized the whole scheme of getting the insurance money from the first fire. Once they had the money in hand, Geneva would make it look like she was moving away alone (most likely to another state) and then she and Clarence could live out the rest of their lives together on that money. But their plans backfired when they didn't end up getting the money so he had to remain in hiding.

Fletch · 02-06-2007, 04:41 PM

Dante, your avatar is hilarious.

02-03-2006, 01:11 AM	#4
fivecats Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 03, 2006 Location: Waukegan, IL Posts: 29	Oh Clarence! Okay, this is the best story ever. It has all the elements of classic intrigue and drama. I certainly think that the second man found was Clarence and that he had been in hiding. But the real fun in watching the story unfold before your eyes. If this one was solved, I think it would take away from the fun of speculation.

02-06-2007, 04:25 PM	#14
dynoguy88 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 01, 2000 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 3,672	reply I was thinking the same things as you guys while I was putting this story on YouTube. The first fire took place November 18, 1970. The second fire took place November 18, 1980. What are the odds that they would take place exactly 10 years apart? I think Clarence and Geneva organized the whole scheme of getting the insurance money from the first fire. Once they had the money in hand, Geneva would make it look like she was moving away alone (most likely to another state) and then she and Clarence could live out the rest of their lives together on that money. But their plans backfired when they didn't end up getting the money so he had to remain in hiding.

04-07-2002, 02:58 PM	#1
Kane Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 07, 2001 Location: MA, United States Posts: 3,367	The "deaths" of Clarence Roberts During the first season of Unsolved Mysteries (the 1988-89 season), there was a story about an Inidana man named Clarence Roberts. Does anyone remember it? If not, here is the synopsis: Clarence Roberts owned a hardware store, and was a financially secure man. However, he decided to take a gamble on more money, but kept losing. Then in 1970, his house burned down and the body found there was identified as his. Then in 1980, ten years later, his wife Geneva was killed in a house fire. Her body was recovered, addition to a second body--which was identified as Clarence Roberts! This is undoubtedly one of the eeriest cases to be featured on Unsolved Mysteries. It sticks in my mind, and probably will for the rest of my life. I mean, it poses a puzzling question: how could the same man die twice? Clarence's nephew believed he died in the first fire (1970). But the majority of those who were interviewed for the story believe otherwise. They believe he was either killed in the second fire (1980) or might still be alive. Shortly before the 1970 fire, Clarence Roberts was seen talking with a derelict, who then disappeared. Some believe Clarence killed the derelict and had it passed off as his own in an effort to collect insurance money. For the next ten years, Clarence's "widow" Geneva insisted that Clarence was dead, but some began to have their doubts. An unknown man was seen in her property, and some people (including the local police) speculated that it was Clarence. This suggested that Geneva had something (or should I say someone) to hide. However, this mysterious man seemed very careful because he would always disappear before anyone could have a chance to identify him. I am convinced that, in the first fire (1970), a derelict died in Clarence's place. There is no doubt in my mind that Clarence Roberts was alive after the 1970 fire. It is possible for him to be alive today, but it seems to me that he died in the 1980 fire. This is a very intriguing case, and once you have seen it, you might never forget it. Whether this mystery will ever be solved remains to be seen.

04-07-2002, 03:58 PM	#2
TheWho Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 06, 2002 Location: United States Posts: 30	I remember this from last year.

02-03-2006, 02:53 PM	#5
SitcomsAreTheWay Retro Sitcoms Fanatic Forum Regular Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: NY Posts: 612	I felt so sorry for Geneva though.

02-03-2006, 07:53 PM	#6
SP4CE INV4DERZ 40-0 0WN3D Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 06, 2004 Posts: 630	This case is eerie no doubt about that but it's not really a mystery. Obvious to just about everyone is Clarance didn't die in the first fire but in the second one.

02-05-2007, 10:40 PM	#7
AVERMAN Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 12, 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 241	An interesting fact about this story is that the fires happened almost exactly 10 years apart to the day. I also believe the man seen with Clarence just days before the fire was the person who died in the first fire, with Clarence dying in the second fire. Has this story had any updates?? Probably not considering everybody in the know is dead.

02-05-2007, 11:34 PM	#9
Huskerz85 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 31, 2006 Location: Westeros Posts: 740	He knocked off the bum in fire #1, but was carless enough to leave behind a few personal effects, such as his ring. I'm not sure whether or not he got access to all that insurance money or not, but obviously found a way to subsist for the next decade........... .....at which point he made contact with his wife, discussed god knows what inside her house and then bumped her off the last night before setting the fire and dying for real. Does anyone besides me think that fire #2 could've been a mutual thing though?? Clarence was obviously a bum himself pretty much in the last 10 years and his wife was little better. He could've quick shot her or something to prevent the suffering a fiery death would bring and the two would walk off into the next world side by side almost..........

02-06-2007, 02:18 AM	#10
asmitty Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 01, 2007 Location: South Dakota Posts: 523	Clarence Roberts is for sure an interesting story. Although I have lived in South Dakota since I was 18, I grew up in Indiana about an hour and a half away from the town where this all took place. The second fire took place when I was 2 months old so I mean, it all happened before my time but I have heard about it more than just through UM. Despite the obviousness that Clarence died in the second fire and not the first, last I heard the records still list him as the victim of both fires. In regard to Huskerz post above about the ring being carelessly left behind. In the segment they talk about how the ring should have been more damaged by the blaze and they think that it was planted after the fire, hence not a careless thing at all. I think he faked his death for the insurance money. Although, they never got it. I don't know what to speculate about the second fire being murder or double suicide or what but there is a lot of mystery surrounding that.

02-06-2007, 03:08 AM	#12
DarkDante Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 27, 2002 Posts: 1,569	Actually the segment never makes clear whether Clarence and Geneva's children ever recieved a dime on their parents' insurance policies if thats what you are asking about. Clarence and Geneva's deaths in 1980 could've easily been ruled a double suicide. I could easily have seen Clarence and Geneva along with an accomplice doing themselves in because A) the authorities were closing in on Clarence Roberts staking out his house and such due to suspicion he murdered someone in the first fire to collect on insurance money and... B) Geneva Roberts' life had deteriorated since her husband's "death" in 1970. She had not been able to collect on the insurance policies and her life had pretty much gone down the toliet to be quite frank so I could easily see Geneva joining her husband in committing a double suicide.

02-06-2007, 04:41 PM	#15
Fletch Cabin fever Frequent Poster Join Date: May 10, 2002 Posts: 485	Dante, your avatar is hilarious.