MURDERED: Roger "Fred" Farmer
Crime Junkie
Deep Dive
Why did the family suspect foul play when Roger 'Fred' Farmer went missing?
The family noticed strange text messages from Fred's phone, which were punctuated and grammatically correct, unlike his usual talk-to-text style. Additionally, no one had seen Fred since mid-November, and his financial records showed unusual transactions.
What significant financial anomaly did the family discover when Fred went missing?
They found that Fred's bank account was in the negative, which was highly unusual for him as he was careful with his money. There were also transactions made at bars and restaurants, places Fred would not normally frequent.
How did the detectives initially identify Jeremy Farmer as a suspect?
Detectives identified Jeremy through security footage from a Lowe's store, where he used Fred's credit card to make a purchase. Fred's daughter, Christina, recognized Jeremy in the footage.
What evidence suggested that Fred was likely murdered by his son, Jeremy?
Phone records showed that both Fred's and Jeremy's phones were in the same location after Fred went missing. Additionally, Jeremy had been using Fred's credit cards and making suspicious purchases, including items that could be used for cleaning up a crime scene.
What was the key piece of physical evidence found during the search of Fred's house?
Detectives found a receipt from Lowe's for a heavy-duty trash can and cleaning supplies, which matched the items used to dispose of Fred's body. The receipt was found in Jeremy's old bedroom, where the carpet and pad had been hastily removed.
How did the storage unit discovery lead to Jeremy's arrest?
The owner of a storage facility noticed a foul smell coming from a unit rented by Jeremy and discovered Fred's body inside a trash can. The items used to wrap the body matched the receipt found in Jeremy's room, providing crucial evidence linking him to the crime.
What was Jeremy's defense during the trial?
Jeremy claimed that he shot Fred in self-defense after a drunken confrontation. He said the gun went off accidentally during a struggle, but this was contradicted by the bullet's trajectory and the lack of defensive wounds on Fred's body.
What questions remain unanswered about Fred's murder?
Fred's daughters believe that Jeremy may not have acted alone and suspect another family member was involved in the cover-up. They also wonder if this person knew about the murder and provided assistance, especially in transporting Fred's body to the storage unit.
- Fred's family notices strange text messages and his absence since mid-November.
- Detective Larry Crassini is contacted by a friend who suspects foul play.
- Fred's daughter, Christina, reports him missing on December 27, 2019.
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