Bio

Steve Edward Roach was born on April 10, 1976. He grew up in a troubled family in Greene County, Virginia. Roach was the third of four children. His parents had a rocky relationship, separating and reconciling multiple times during his childhood. His father faced various health issues and struggled with mood swings, often exacerbated by alcohol. This turbulent home environment had a significant impact on Roach and his siblings.

Due to his family's struggles, Roach's parents removed him from school when he was 14 years old. They wanted him to stay home and help take care of his younger brothers. As a result, Roach did not receive a formal education and was limited in his opportunities. Despite this, he helped neighbors with different tasks, such as chopping wood and mowing lawns. He was known to be helpful, even volunteering at a local church and working at a children's camp.

While Roach was active in his community, he did not have proper guidance and supervision at home. This absence of support contributed to his immaturity and poor impulse control. A forensic psychologist noted that Roach displayed behavior typical of someone significantly younger than his actual age. He often acted on emotion rather than rational thought.

In his teenage years, Roach became involved in petty crimes, including auto theft and burglary. He had no previous history of violent behavior before the incident that would change his life forever. Despite these challenges, people who knew him testified that Roach had a side that was kind and helpful. He was often thought of as someone who brightened the lives of elderly neighbors, including Mary Ann Hughes, a woman he would later be connected to tragically.

Murder Story

On December 3, 1993, Mary Ann Hughes, a 70-year-old woman, was shot in her doorway in Greene County, Virginia. The shooter was Steve Edward Roach, who was 17 years old at the time. Roach was known to Hughes, having helped her around her home and even played games with her. However, on that day, he shot her with a sawed-off shotgun at close range.

After killing Hughes, Roach took her car, a 1981 Buick Regal, along with her purse, which contained $60 and a credit card. He fled the state, traveling to North and South Carolina. The following day, Roach attempted to use Hughes’s bank card at an ATM in North Carolina. A videotape captured him at the machine, which later became evidence against him.

On December 5, while being pursued by law enforcement, Roach was spotted speeding in the stolen Buick. He managed to escape into nearby woods. On December 6, after discussions with his aunt, he surrendered to the Greene County Sheriff. During an interview, Roach confessed to killing Hughes and taking her belongings. He claimed he did not understand why he had committed the act.

Roach faced trial and was found guilty of capital murder in April 1995. His defense argued that he did not intend to kill Hughes and pointed to the lack of gunshot residue on his hands and clothing as evidence. Despite this, the jury sentenced him to death, deciding that he posed a threat to society.

Roach was executed by lethal injection on January 13, 2000. His execution was notable as he was only 17 when he committed the crime, and he became one of the youngest individuals to be put to death in Virginia's history.