A rafting trip for the Rothgeb family in the summer of 1984 ends with a mother and teenage daughter dead and the father, David, under investigation for their double murder. His hidden lifestyle seals his fate in court, but just like the rivers in the Ozarks, many people are split as to whether the father was framed or a predator remains lurking on the riverways.
David, April, and Windy Rothgeb
River Map
Jack’s Fork River Ozarks National Scenic Riverways
Jack’s Fork River
Episode Source Material
- “Authorities Investigate Drownings” by Staff for The Springfield Leader and Press
- “Columbia Mother, Daughter Drown” by The Associated Press for The Kansas City Star
- “April Rothgeb, Windy Rothgeb” Obituary in The Springfield News-Leader
- “Grand Jury Investigates Deaths of Mother, Teen” by Greg Weisz for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Grand Jury Studies Drowning In Ozarks” by Larry Archer for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Husband Indicted On Murder Charges” by The Associated Press for St. Joseph News-Press
- “Jury Indicts Columbia Man In Drownings” by Larry Archer for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Man Accused of Drowning Wife; Daughter Expected to Surrender” by Staff for The Springfield News-Leader
- “Man Faces Charges In Murder of Family” by The Associated Press for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- “Alleged Wife-Killer Surrenders” by The Associated Press
- “Trial Delayed For Man Accused in 2 Deaths” by Staff for The Springfield News-Leader
- “Rothgeb Says Death of Family Still Unsolved” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Trial Opens Today for Man in Death of Wife, Daughter” by Staff for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- “Jury Chosen For Rothgeb Trial; Opening Arguments Start Today” and “Rothgeb Has Friend’s Help Before Trial” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Prosecutor: Rothgeb Inconsistent” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Killings Tied to Money and Sex, Jurors Told” by H.B. Koplowitz for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- “Doctor: Rothgeb Women’s Bodies Cut, Bruised” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Expert Maintains Rothgeb Drowning May Have Been Accidental” and “Experts Testify On Drowning, Site of Deaths” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Rothgeb Trial Resumes Monday” and “Defense Suggests Accidental Death” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Cost Will Be Considerable for Rothgeb Murder Trial” and “Witnesses in Murder Case Endure Long, Costly Waits” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Rothgeb Testimony Focuses On Insurance” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Rothgeb’s Grand Jury Testimony Read Into Record” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Jury Hears of Romance With Suspect” by Staff at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- “Rothgeb’s Relationship With Eldridge Explored” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Rothgeb Trial Testimony Focuses On Tent Examination” and “Expert Questions Rothgeb Story” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Rothgeb To Take Witness Stand” and “Rothgeb Will Take Stand To Tell His Own Story” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Rothgeb Testimony At Odds With Charges” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Murder Defendant Gives Testimony” by Staff at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- “RothgebCase Goes To the Jury” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Jury Begins Deliberations In Deaths of 2” by Staff for The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- “Rothgeb Story Decided Verdict, Prosecutor says: Two Murder Convictions Bring Trial to Dramatic Conclusion” and “Rothgeb’s Mother Faints After Jury Returns Guilty Verdict” by Stacey Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Columbia, Mo., Man Convicted of Drowning Wife, Daughter” by H.B. Koplowitz for St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- “Man Found Guilty of Drowning Wife, Daughter In River” by Staff for The Springfield News-Leader
- “Rothgeb Prosecutor Born To Win, Hates To Lose” by Stacey Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Parting Is Painful For Eldridge” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Rothgeb’s Attorney Cites Errors, Calls For Mistrial” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Rothgeb Says Prison Is Anything But Soft: Complains of Weight Loss, No Pillow” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Judge Denies Rothgeb New Trial” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Killer of Wife, Daughter Gets Life Plus 210 Years” by William C. Lhotka for The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- “Man Faces Prison Terms for Two Murders” by staff for The Kansas City Times
- “Piecing Together Daughter’s Death” and “Parents Grew Suspicious of Rothgeb’s Story” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Rothgeb Appeal Claims Lack of Evidence” by Michael WIld for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Convicted Killer’s Sentence Contested” by Stacy Wells for Columbia Missourian Newspaper
- “Court Upholds Conviction in 2 Drownings” by The Associated Press
- “Sentence Is Upheld In Family Slayings” by Staff for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- David Lee Rothgeb, Appellant v. United States of America Appellee 789 F.2d 647 (8th Cir. 1986)
- United States Court of Appeals Brief via Law Resource
- David Lee Rothgeb Inmate Profile, Leavenworth United States Penitentiary
- Find an Inmate
- April Rothgeb – Find A Grave
- Windy Autumn Rothgeb – Find A Grave
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways Info