John Francis Roche

Serial killer

5known / alleged victims

Similar offenders

Richard Kuklinski Serial killer · USA · 1949 Richard “Iceman” Kuklinski was sentenced to life in prison in 1988. He died in… 100 victims

Ottis Toole Serial killer · USA · 1961 Ottis Elwood Toole (sometimes misspelled as “Otis”) was an American serial kill… 65 victims

JO Joseph Fischer Serial killer · USA · 1953 Joseph J. Fischer was born in 1923 and was a native of New Jersey. He was raise… 40 victims

Juan Vallejo Corona Serial killer · USA · 1960 Juan Vallejo Corona was a native of Mexico, born in 1934. He moved to Yuba City… 25 victims

Raymond Fernandez Serial killer · USA · 1947 Raymond Martinez Fernandez was executed by electrocution at Sing Sing prison in… 17 victims

Carroll Edward Cole Serial killer · USA · 1948 Carroll Edward Cole, also known as “Eddie,” was born in Sioux City, Iowa on May… 15 victims

Random profiles

Darren Mack Murderer · USA · 2006 Darren Mack (born January 31, 1961) became the subject of an international manh… 1 victim

Allen Winslow Bridgers Murderer · 1997 Allen Winslow Bridgers (also listed as Allen W. Bridgers and Allen Winslow Brid… 1 victim

Taffy Hotene Murderer · New Zealand · 2000 Taffy Hotene was born in Murupara in 1970. He was brought up in a chaotic and a… 1 victim

Jason Looney Murderer · USA · 1997 Jason Looney was sentenced to death on February 18, 2000. His case was heard in… 2 victims

Simon Gonzales Murderer · USA · 1999 Simon Gonzales Simon J. Gonzales had suicidal tendencies, and his estranged wif… 3 victims

Roger Dale Vaughn Murderer · USA · 1991 Roger Dale Vaughn was convicted of capital murder in Texas and was executed by… 1 victim

Case Facts

Gender: male
Country: USA
Location: Queens, New York, USA
Date of birth: 1927
Age at first offence: 26
Characteristics: rape
Victim profile: Men and women
Method of murder: Beating / St abbing with knife
Date(s) of murder: 1953 - 1954
Years active: 1953–1954
Date of arrest: —
Status: Executed
Executed by electrocution in New York on January 26, 1956

Case Summary

Identification

John Francis Roche was a male inmate.

Characteristics

He was described as a mass murderer.

Background

Roche was accompanied by a Dept. of Corrections officer as he left the Tombs en route to await execution. He was tight-lipped and unshaven.

Roche was a 27-year-old plumber's helper. He confessed slayer of five persons, including a 14-year-old schoolgirl.

The offence

Roche bludgeoned, stabbed, and robbed two men and four females aged 13–85. At least one female victim also was raped.

Roche was sentenced to die in the electric chair for the rape-murder of Dorothy Westwater, a 14-year-old schoolgirl.

Investigation

Roche confessed to four other homicides.

Trial

Roche was convicted on November 9th for the murder of Dorothy Westwater, a Manhattan schoolgirl.

Roche was sentenced to die in the electric chair at Sing Sing Prison on January 10th.

Sentencing

Roche was sentenced to die in the electric chair for the rape-murder of Dorothy Westwater, 14 year old schoolgirl.

Appeals

No appeal information was provided.

Timeline

November 9, 1954 — Roche was convicted for the murder of Dorothy Westwater, a Manhattan schoolgirl.
January 10, 1955 — Roche was sentenced to die in the electric chair at Sing Sing Prison.
November 30, 1954 — Roche, a 27-year-old plumber's helper, confessed slayer of five persons, including a 14-year-old schoolgirl, sat in a car outside General Sessions Court before leaving for Sing Sing's death row.
January 26, 1956 — Roche was executed by electrocution in New York.

Outcome

Roche was executed by electrocution in New York on January 26, 1956.

Other details

Roche left the Tombs en route to await execution. He was en route to await execution while accompanied by a Dept. of Corrections officer. He had also confessed to four other homicides.

Spotted an error, or have more information about this case?