Bio

Scott Philip Roeder was born on February 25, 1958, in Merriam, Kansas. He grew up in a typical suburban environment. As he grew older, Roeder began to show signs of mental health issues. His ex-wife, Lindsey Roeder, later stated that he was diagnosed with possible schizophrenia around the age of 20. She also suggested that he had symptoms of bipolar disorder. Roeder had trouble holding down jobs and had a number of different employments, including working for an airport shuttle service and a convenience store.

In the 1990s, Roeder became involved with anti-government groups, specifically the Montana Freemen. He was stopped by police in Topeka, Kansas, in April 1996 for displaying a "Sovereign Citizen" placard in place of a license plate. During a search of his vehicle, police found explosive materials. Roeder was charged and convicted of multiple counts related to this incident, leading to a prison sentence after revoking his parole for failing to fulfill its terms.

In his personal life, Roeder married Lindsey in 1986, and they remained together for around ten years. After their divorce, Lindsey spoke about how he struggled to cope with everyday life and became radicalized around the early 1990s. She attributed his growing extremism to a combination of financial struggles and his search for answers that led him to anti-government beliefs and later anti-abortion activism.

Roeder's beliefs became more pronounced over time, and he expressed strong anti-abortion views. He began to connect with other activists who shared his beliefs, and he participated in protests against abortion clinics. His actions and views eventually became a focus of law enforcement attention, especially following his previous legal issues related to explosives and vandalism of abortion facilities.

Murder Story

On May 31, 2009, Scott Roeder shot and killed Dr. George Tiller during a church service at Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas. Tiller was a well-known physician who performed late-term abortions. Roeder shot Tiller at close range in the head as he was serving as an usher. After the shooting, Roeder threatened two other people who tried to stop him before fleeing the scene in a powder-blue Ford Taurus.

Roeder was arrested about three hours later in Gardner, Kansas, approximately 170 miles from the church. He was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault. Following his arrest, Roeder publicly admitted to the killing in phone calls from jail, stating that he believed he acted to save the lives of unborn children.

In January 2010, Roeder was found guilty of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault after a quick trial. He received a life sentence on April 1, 2010, with no possibility of parole for 50 years. The prosecution argued that Roeder’s actions were premeditated and motivated by his anti-abortion beliefs. During the trial, Roeder testified that he believed Tiller posed an immediate threat to unborn children, which he claimed justified his actions.

Roeder's case garnered significant media attention and sparked debates regarding the violence associated with anti-abortion activism. His statements after the murder suggested he felt no remorse for his actions, emphasizing his belief that he was protecting lives.