Drive-Thru Murder ////// 926

True Crime Garage dives into the unsolved 1978 murder of Roger Parent Jr., a beloved co-owner of the P&S Carryout in St. Mary's, Ohio, a small blue-collar town where life revolved around the Goodyear factory and high school football. On the night of December 29, 1978, during the nationally televised 1978 Gator Bowl, Roger was working alone at the drive-thru after switching shifts with a colleague. A key eyewitness, customer number one, reported seeing a mysterious white man in a gray hat, blue jeans, and a tan jacket—keeping his hands in his pockets—first near a parked vehicle and then inside the store. Moments later, Roger was shot in the back with a sawed-off shotgun at close range. The only transaction logged after the witness’s purchase was a pack of Marlboro cigarettes, which was later found unopened outside the store. The killer fled with $95, leaving behind a chilling scene with no signs of a struggle. Despite decades of investigation, including public case presentations and the release of composite sketches and an identikit, the suspect remains unidentified. The episode explores multiple theories: a robbery gone wrong, a premeditated murder by someone familiar with the routine, or even a local man driven by guilt or mental instability. Rumors point to several individuals, including a suicide-prone man named Mike Sampson, a troubled brother named Louis Parent who vanished after the murder, and another man whose final phone call hinted at knowing the killer. The case remains open, haunted by faded evidence, conflicting rumors, and the enduring impact on a community that lost a pillar of its identity. The sheriff’s department continues to seek public help, urging anyone with information to come forward. The episode closes with a powerful call to action: listeners are encouraged to examine the suspect sketches, share them widely, and report any leads to the Aglase County Sheriff’s Office. The host also recommends Michael Rosenberg’s book *War As They Knew It*, which explores the turbulent era of college football and national unrest, contextualizing the time when Roger’s murder occurred. The story is a haunting reminder of how a single night of violence can ripple through a town for decades, leaving behind unanswered questions and a family without closure.