Bio

Charles Wesley Roache was born on November 17, 1973. He had a troubled childhood marked by significant trauma and abuse. Roache's father was an alcoholic who often physically abused him. He began drinking alcohol as a young child, with his father introducing him to it as early as six years old.

Roache's mother was also abusive. She inflicted emotional and physical pain on him, including a horrific act where she would force him to pet kittens before killing them in front of him. She also killed other pets, contributing to a home environment filled with fear and instability.

Roache's upbringing was further complicated by his family's history. His maternal grandfather committed a violent act by setting his grandmother on fire, which deeply affected Roache's family dynamics. Growing up in such an environment led Roache to suffer from various psychological issues, including anxiety and learning disabilities. He had difficulties in school and repeated several grades.

Murder Story

On September 29 and 30, 1999, Charles Wesley Roache and his accomplice, Christopher Lippard, embarked on a crime spree that would change many lives forever. They began their rampage in Alexander County, North Carolina, where they murdered Chad McKinley Watt, a 22-year-old man. After the murder, they drove west toward Haywood County.

Their vehicle became stuck, forcing them to abandon it. They approached a nearby house looking for another vehicle to steal. This house belonged to Earl and Cora Phillips, an elderly couple. Roache and Lippard entered the home and threatened the couple at gunpoint. They bound the Phillips' hands with duct tape and searched for valuables.

After stealing items from the house, they attempted to flee in Earl Phillips' truck. However, they soon lost control of the vehicle and crashed it. Lippard returned to the Phillips' home, while Roache stayed behind to gather their belongings.

When Lippard fought with Eddie Phillips, the couple's son, Roache shot Eddie in the chest. Roache then went into the house, where he encountered Mitzi Phillips, Eddie’s wife. He shot her as well. In the chaos, Roache followed the couple’s 14-year-old daughter, Katie, into the bathroom and shot her too. Roache went back to the living room where he shot both Earl and Cora Phillips.

In total, they killed six people: Chad Watt and the entire Phillips family—Earl, Cora, Eddie, Mitzi, and Katie. After the murders, Roache and Lippard continued to steal vehicles and evade capture.

Roache was apprehended near the scene of the crimes a day later, on October 1, 1999. He confessed to the murders during police questioning and provided details about the events leading up to them. Lippard was arrested shortly thereafter.

In 2001, Roache was convicted of multiple counts of first-degree murder. He received two death sentences for the murders of Mitzi and Katie Phillips, and life sentences for the other murders. He later waived his rights to appeal. After spending time on death row, he was executed by lethal injection on October 22, 2004.