The Priest Murders:The Murders part 2

The scene exhibited clear indications of a violent altercation. Investigators noted substantial evidence that could potentially lead to the perpetrator, as it appeared that little effort had been made to conceal their actions. They discovered hair on the victim's body, blood-stained fingerprints, soiled bedding, and discarded cigarette butts. However, they were unable to ascertain the victim's true identity, as the name and address he provided during check-in were quickly determined to be fraudulent.

For four days, the body of Father Ryan remained in the morgue, classified as a John Doe. Meanwhile, in Denver, the parish community grew increasingly anxious due to the priest's prolonged absence, particularly after he failed to attend both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.

Concern escalated when the leader of the church's men's group decided to enter the rectory through a window to search for any clues regarding his whereabouts. Inside, he discovered some perplexing evidence: a cold, fully prepared meal of steak and potatoes sat on the stove, with white grease congealed around the steak, indicating it had been left untouched for a considerable time.

This suggested that Father Ryan had not intended to leave the rectory on the night of his murder. Additionally, he noticed a backpack containing a photo album on a chair. Shortly thereafter, Father Ryan was identified, and later that same day, Odessa police arrived at Ros' apartment with the backpack in their possession, just as Ros returned from New Mexico.

The evening prior, Detective Jerry Smith conducted a four-hour interrogation of Ros regarding his recent activities and inquired about the presence of his backpack in the rectory. Ros detailed all that he could recall, providing a collection of receipts to substantiate his narrative, although it remains unclear if he mentioned the assault during this time.

The officers examined Ros for any signs of injury, discovering only a minor scratch on his hand. This finding is significant given the violent confrontation that had occurred in the motel room; it is difficult to accept that the assailant would have sustained only a minimal injury. On December 27th, Ros successfully passed a polygraph test, seemingly resolving the issue.

However, Ros continued to grapple with the incident. In subsequent interviews, even to this day, he expresses a sense of guilt regarding the events, stating that if he had not contacted the individual that morning, the person would still be alive. He also feels remorse over the sexual assault, despite being the victim. The assailant was a priest, leading Ros to question how he could be held accountable for the incident. It is evident that Ros believed he bore some responsibility for what transpired.

As a gay man who had suppressed his sexuality since childhood due to the conservative values of his tribe, which condemned homosexuality, he became a deeply troubled individual with a drinking problem. Despite the assault, he formed a connection with Father Ryan, and ultimately, burdened by guilt, he reached out to the police in a state of intoxication eleven months later.

In a desperate attempt to liberate him, efforts proved futile. Ultimately, in 2023, Ros was cleared of the murder charges that had haunted him for four decades. Many of Ros's supporters believed that William Tumi had some involvement in the priest's murder and that he took his own life out of guilt. Although there is no substantial evidence to support this theory, an intriguing detail emerged: the unique belt buckle worn by Tumi was traced back to a gift shop in Arizona. While this did not link him directly to Father Ryan's murder, it did place him in the vicinity of another incident.

Father Ryan was not alone; another priest, known for assisting hitchhikers, was found dead in November 1982, just a month prior to Tumi's appearance at the church. On November 10th, Father Benjamin Carrier checked into the Rancho Motel in Y, Arizona. There are conflicting reports regarding his arrival; one source claims he checked in alone, while the hotel receptionist reported seeing another man in Carrier's vehicle outside. Another account suggests he was later spotted in the motel pool with two men. Regardless, it seems he was accompanied by two individuals believed to be hitchhikers he had picked up.

One afternoon, around 2:15 p.m., police were summoned to the motel to investigate a report of a possible deceased individual. Upon entering the room, officers discovered Father Carrier in a scene eerily reminiscent of Father Ryan's; he was found lying naked on the bed.

With his hands restrained behind him, the cause of death was identified as a fixation. The truck belonging to the victim, Carrier, was reported missing from the motel parking lot and was found two days later, abandoned in a different location. Authorities have been unable to track down the two men who were last seen with him, and their identities remain unknown.

Notably, nothing seems to have been taken from Carrier except for his truck, which was quickly discarded, leaving a lack of clear motive for the murder. The absence of theft or any other obvious reason implies a more sinister intention behind the crime, shrouding Carrier's final moments in mystery.

Carrier had previously encountered difficulties while picking up hitchhikers, including instances of robbery. However, those who knew him described him as a compassionate individual who consistently sought to assist others, particularly those struggling with substance abuse. In the context of the Father Ryan story, the decision to take these two hitchhikers to a motel raises suspicions; he may have simply been offering them a place to stay.

To this day, the murder of Father Carrier remains unsolved, with investigators continuing their efforts to crack the case. Two sketches were created of men seen at the motel, and some have pointed out a possible resemblance to the sketch of William Tumi; however, I personally do not perceive this similarity. These two cases are among those that some investigators, including Sergeant Richardson, believe are linked to the Tumi case. Notably, Father Carrier was not the only priest murdered during that period.

On the evening of August 5, 1982, a man identifying himself as Michael Carmelo contacted St. Francis Cathedral, seeking a priest to administer last rites to his ailing grandfather at a remote rest stop outside of town. The first priest who answered was unavailable, so when the man called back approximately 15 minutes later, Father Riva readily agreed to make the trip to the rest stop. Tragically, he would never return.

When Father Riva did not come back that night, the church reported him missing. Over the next two days, hundreds of community members participated in a search throughout Santa Fe and its surrounding areas. On August 7, his body was found in the desert. Evidence suggested that he had been bound at some point and had suffered a fatal gunshot wound. Investigators observed that his body had been moved after death, which was peculiar considering there were numerous secluded locations nearby. It appeared that his assailant had intentionally positioned him to be discovered.

The following day, Rivera's vehicle was found deserted approximately two hours from Sant F. Nothing appeared to be missing from the car or from Father Rivera's personal effects, with the exception of his last rites kit, which was believed to have been taken as a morbid keepsake. The investigation suggested the involvement of multiple assailants, as Father Rivera was known for his physical strength, indicating that it would have required two individuals to overpower him.

Witnesses reported observing a blue pickup truck parked at the rest stop prior to Father Rivera's arrival. Authorities theorized that he was likely held at gunpoint, murdered elsewhere, and subsequently transported to the desert for later discovery. The assailants then returned to retrieve his vehicle, but it ran out of fuel, forcing them to abandon it. No suspects were ever identified; however, police suspected that the killers harbored a deep-seated resentment towards the Catholic Church.

Notably, they had not specifically requested Father Rivera but had instead asked for any available priest. Some have also proposed a connection to the murder of Father John Carrigan in Montana, who disappeared in July 1984. Father Carrigan's absence went unnoticed until he failed to appear for the 6:30 a.m. Mass on July 21st.

It was not until two days later, on July 23rd, that he was officially reported missing. Nearly a week later, on July 29th, searchers found blood-stained clothing and a coat hanger along Montana Highway 35. Then, on July 30th, Father Carrigan's brown Chevy Malibu was discovered abandoned several miles from the initial location.

Inside the trunk of the vehicle, investigators found a wallet containing over $1,000 in cash, along with a blood-stained shovel and a bloodied pillowcase. The individual known as Father Carrian has never been found, and his disappearance remains an enigma, with only these chilling pieces of evidence left behind

. The link to this murder is tenuous, occurring in a different region of the country, and it is evident that Tumi was already deceased at this stage. However, for those who believe in a connection between these cases, it is suggested that multiple individuals may be involved in the murders. William Tumi could be one of them, but it is presumed that his accomplice is still at large.