She Texted Her Boyfriend 1,000 Times. Then She Heard Him Die.
On a warm July evening in 2014, 18-year-old Conrad Roy III sat alone in his pickup truck in a Kmart parking lot in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. A portable generator pumped carbon monoxide into the cab as Conrad took his own life. On the surface, it seemed like a tragic case of a young man losing his battle with depression. But when police uncovered a series of text messages between Conrad and his girlfriend, 17-year-old Michelle Carter, the narrative shifted. Those texts painted a chilling picture of encouragement, manipulation, and fatal consequences that would ultimately lead to Michelle's conviction for involuntary manslaughter. Here's the tragic story.
Who was Conrad Roy, and what led to his death?
Conrad Roy appeared to have his life on track. A recent high school graduate, he had been accepted to Fitchburg State University and planned to study business. But beneath the surface, he struggled with severe depression and anxiety, attempting suicide two years earlier after leaving a treatment program.
On his final day, Conrad spent time at the beach with his mother and sisters, laughing and enjoying the summer sunshine. His mother, Lynn Roy, later testified that she believed he was doing better.
However, that night on July 12, 2014, Conrad drove to a secluded spot in a Kmart parking lot. He used a portable generator to fill the cab of his pickup truck with carbon monoxide, which ultimately ended his life.
In his goodbye note, he apologized to his family and asked them to "live life to the fullest."
What role did Michelle Carter play in Conrad's death?
Michelle Carter and Conrad Roy met two years earlier in 2012 and maintained a long-distance relationship, communicating largely through texts and phone calls. Eventually, she became his girlfriend. In the weeks and hours leading up to Conrad's death, Michelle sent him more than 1,000 texts, some expressing concern and others encouraging him to end his life.
On the night he died, Conrad called Michelle, wavering in his decision. But when he stepped out of the truck, overcome with fear, Michelle told him to get back in.
Prosecutors argued that Michelle manipulated Conrad to gain attention, wanting to portray herself as the grieving girlfriend. "She used Conrad as a pawn in her sick game of life and death," said Assistant District Attorney Maryclare Flynn, as reported by People.com. Michelle even sent texts to Conrad's family after his death, pretending she didn't know what had happened, despite being on the phone with him during his final moments.
What did Michelle text before and after Conrad's death?
Michelle's texts to Conrad revealed a disturbing mix of concern, manipulation, and encouragement leading up to and after his death.
In one text to her friend Samantha Boardman two months after Conrad's death, Michelle admitted, "Sam his death is my fault like ... I could have stopped him I was on the phone with him and he got out of the car because it was working and he got scared and I ... told him to get back in," as reported by People.com.
Later Michelle texted Olivia Mosolgo, a friend from her softball team, about the night of Conrad's death. She wrote, "I was talking to him on the phone when he killed himself. Liv, I heard him die. I just wish I got him more help," as reported by People.com.
These texts became crucial pieces of evidence in the trial, providing insight into her direct involvement in Conrad's final moments and her subsequent feelings of guilt.
What was the defense's argument?
Michelle's defense team argued that Conrad had been determined to take his own life long before meeting her. They pointed to texts where Michelle had initially tried to dissuade him, including one in which Conrad apologized for dragging her into his plans. Her attorneys also emphasized Michelle's own mental health struggles and the potential side effects of her antidepressant medication, Celexa®, which a psychiatrist testified could impair judgment and impulse control.
Were Michelle's texts protected under free speech?
A significant aspect of the case centered on whether Michelle's texts fell under protected speech. Her attorneys argued that words alone should not constitute a crime and warned that convicting Michelle could set a dangerous precedent. However, prosecutors countered that this case wasn't just about words — it was about actions. They argued that Michelle's encouragement, particularly her directive for Conrad to get back in the truck, crossed the line into criminal behavior.
Was Michelle Carter convicted?
Judge Lawrence Moniz, who presided over the trial, focused on Michelle's actions during Conrad's final moments. Her words urging him to get back in the truck proved decisive. "She did nothing," Moniz said, according to People.com. "She did not call the police or Mr. Roy's family. She did not issue a simple additional instruction: 'Get out of the truck.'" Moniz found her behavior reckless and handed down a guilty verdict for involuntary manslaughter in 2017.
What happened after Michelle's sentencing?
Michelle received a 15-month jail sentence and began serving her time in February 2019 after exhausting her appeals. She was released early in January 2020 for good behavior. Since then, Michelle has maintained a low profile, avoiding public appearances and interviews. Her attorney, Joseph Cataldo, described her as remorseful, saying, "She's come to grips with it. She understands," as reported by ABC7ny.com.
What is Michelle Carter doing now?
Michelle has largely disappeared from public life. While the case continues to captivate public attention through documentaries and dramatizations such as "The Girl from Plainville," Michelle herself has remained silent. Her probation ended in 2022, officially closing her legal chapter in this tragic story.
What legacy did Conrad Roy leave behind?
Conrad's death has inspired his family to push for change. His mother, Lynn Roy, has championed Conrad's Law, a proposed bill in Massachusetts that would make coercing someone into suicide punishable by up to five years in prison. According to ABC7ny.com, she said, "I will never stop honoring him and carrying him with me," vowing to turn her son's tragedy into a force for good.
The story of Conrad Roy and Michelle Carter remains a haunting reminder of the power of words and the responsibilities we bear to one another. It forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about mental health, manipulation, and accountability, ensuring that Conrad's legacy continues to drive change.
References: Michelle Carter Case: The 'Texting-Suicide' Case Five Years After Sentencing | Michelle Carter's text message suicide trial revisited in 20/20 special 'Words to Die By'
