A man who arrived at the police station to provide information about his missing friend became a person of interest in a murder case after admitting to something only a killer would know.
Retired 65-year-old Jay Rothe went to Springfield Police Department in Missouri, US, in February 2012 to supposedly find out about the disappearance of his friend Linda Riley, 53.
A day before Riley was reported missing, a neighbour was alerted by the ongoing unanswered calls at her home.
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After going to check up on her, they found that the door was unlocked and Riley was not there.
When police got to the scene, Riley's phone and purse were still in the house.
They suspected that she 'did not leave her residence on her own accord'.
After discovering that Rothe was with Riley two days before she went missing, police brought him in for questioning.
YouTuber Mind Of A Criminal explains: "Jay's demeanour during interviews with
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detectives stands out. He appears honest, genuinely concerned and eager to assist.
"Roth's earnest expressions and cooperative attitude paint a picture of someone deeply invested in finding Linda quickly.
"This urgency is because the chances of locating a missing person safely decrease as time progresses.
"Statistically, the first 24 hours are crucial, the likelihood of finding a missing person alive diminishes with each passing hour, raising concerns about their well-being."
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The moment he became a person of interest was when he mentioned that Riley wouldn't abandon her dogs.
Police realised there was no possible way for him to know that the dogs were still in the apartment.
The YouTuber also noted: "Linda lodged a formal complaint against Jay, alleging assault predicated on her refusal to consent to sexual intercourse.
"Upon becoming aware of the ongoing police investigation into these allegations, Jay proactively returns to the police station with the intention of clarifying his side of the story."
"Throughout the interviews, Rothe consistently discusses his affection and admiration for Linda, asserting his role as her protector," they added.
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"However, an underlying theme of control and coercive behaviour becomes evident in the aftermath of Linda's death. Rothe's actions further complicate the narrative."
After failing a polygraph test, police requested to Rothe reveal what actually happened.
He soon confessed that he attacked Riley, but she died when she fell and hit her head.
On 4 March 2012 Rothe led the police to the site where he incinerated her remains.
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In July 2013, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in Missouri and died in jail of apparent natural causes in 2022.
Anish Vij