Police found the father dead in Flint Township Wednesday morning, then say they saw the young man kill himself at the Grand Blanc Township Walmart.
Update: March 10th 4:25 p.m.
Flint Township Police say homicide victim, Joseph Rothley, had been dead for at least two days before his body was discovered in his home on Wickfield Drive.
An autopsy was performed today. Police are waiting for further results.
Authorities tell us there are no specific indications yet on what caused Thomas Rothley to kill his father and then shoot himself.
Flint Township Police say it appears a son committed suicide after killing his father Wednesday.
The investigation began when 47-year-old Joseph Rothley’s boss voiced concerns after the man failed to report to work. Police went to check on Rothley just after 10:00 a.m. and found him dead in his home on Wickfield Drive, near Maple and Fenton Roads.
Police soon started searching for Rothley’s son Thomas, who lived with his father. They believed he would be driving a Black, 2004 Dodge pickup truck.
Using cell phone signals, they were able to determine Rothley was in Grand Blanc Township. A Genesee County Sheriff’s deputy soon spotted the young man in the black truck in the parking lot of the Grand Blanc Township WalMart at approximately 4:00 p.m. As the deputy approached in an unmarked car, police say Thomas Rothley shot and killed himself.
“My prayers go out to the family,” said Pastor Derrick Murphy.
Murphy lives next door to the home of Joseph and Thomas Rothley. He says Thomas often asked him for help.
“On Friday, he came over here and knocked on the door,” said Murphy as police collected evidence in his neighbor’s home. “He asked me to take him to the bank, Dort Federal. I took him up there, and we talked a little bit about him and his father. He was having some problems.”
Murphy says he never expected the problems Thomas Rothley talked about would escalate to this.
Police say they are still investigating motive, but their investigation has found Thomas was dealing with several personal struggles. The young man was a known heroin user, was on probation for larceny in Burton, and had struggled with finding steady employment.
“He was depressed,” said Murphy. “I think we all can learn from this, if you are suffering from depression, you need to get yourself professional help.”
