The Murder of Tom Roche

Episode 214

On a cool, September afternoon in Burbank, California, thirty-six year old Tom Roche dropped off his girlfriend, Barbara Rondeau, at her office. Promising to return for lunch later that afternoon, Barbara would never see her partner of sixteen years ever again.

Six days after filing a missing person's report, Barbara received a grotesque letter in the mail. In it, the writer claimed to have murdered Tom and dumped his body in the mountains surrounding Los Angeles. In addition to his disturbing words, inside the envelope were several of Tom's personal affects that had gone missing with him.

While investigators were debating whether or not the letter was legitimate, five hundred miles away, investigators in northern California came upon partial human remains surrounded by clothing and personal items belonging to Tom. It would take years to positively identify the remains as those of Tom Roche.

Was Tom Roche targeted at random by a vicious and violent killer or is it possible that the letter was a ruse designed to lead investigators in the wrong direction?

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Sources:

19 Jul 1992, Page 790 - The Los Angeles Times at Newspapers.com

19 Jul 1992, Page 804 - The Los Angeles Times at Newspapers.com

20 Jul 1992, 16 - The Signal at Newspapers.com

20 Jul 1992, 8 - North County Times at Newspapers.com

20 Jul 1992, 5 - The Californian at Newspapers.com

20 Jul 1992, 3 - The Napa Valley Register at Newspapers.com

Letter Claiming Murder of Missing Machinist More Puzzle Than Help, Police Say | AP News

Man Disappears: Tragedy or Hoax? : Mystery: He left a girlfriend, a new job and his beloved Harley. But now, police say letter from his purported killer may be true. - Los Angeles Times

(1) CA - CA- Tom Roche, 37, killer sent confession letter, ID'd as body found Jan 92', Burbank, 13 Sept 1991 | Websleuths

34 Years Ago, A Man Disappeared From His Home | MC | NewsBreak Original