A quiet family day, Sunday November 28, 1976. It’s Thanksgiving weekend and every family is home together, laughing, enjoying the day, except one. On this weekend in 1976 in Montvale, NJ , Harry de la Roche was home from the military academy, spending the holiday with his family. Harry was a troubled young boy, who had been bullied most of his life.
After graduating high school, Harrys family made the decision to send him to The Citadel, a military academy for young men, mostly at the wishes of his father. In accordance with online accounts of those who knew the family or brothers, Harry Sr. was a well respect individual who played a roll in the local little league and boy scout troop. He was someone who you could reply on to be there and take action when needed. Some say that Harry Sr. wanted to push his family to be the best, and for him that “may” have been through discipline. It was assumed that behind the public eye, he was a controlling father. Although Harry Sr. seemed to be pushing his son to mature and grow, he had apparently been putting his one son (Harry Jr) in a dangerous situation.
Some say Harry De La Roche was bullied heavily by his classmates, something which had remained constant since his high school days. Harry said that in high school, he felt alienated from the other students and he faced this uncomfortable situation by missing classes and letting his grades drop. This only led to more chaos at home.
Then on Sunday November 28, 1976, Harry gave into his rage, apparently killing his family one by one, shooting each one at least twice and beating both brothers. After the incident, around 4 AM, Harry left the house, ran through a stop sign and was pulled over by police. Harry told police that his family had been killed and his one brother was missing.
Although the facts are not clear, the story seems to change each time its told. At one point Harry told the police that it was his brother, Ronnie, who had been intoxicated with drugs, and Harry was forced to kill him after coming home to a murdered family. This according to multiple lie detector tests was never proven true, and since then Harry has confessed to the murder of his parents and brothers.
Harry pled not guilty by reason of insanity, even testified in his own defense, along with a psychiatrist who said that the thought of Harry going back to The Citadel drove him “mad”. After three and a half weeks of trial, Harry was found guilty on four counts of first degree murder and to this day remains in the South Woods State Prison.
Many contemplate what truly happened, why and how an ordinary family could be ruined in such a horrific manner.
Photo Credit of Google Maps
The former De La Roche family home is located in Montvale, NJ. Please remember that the house has changed owners and is now a private residence.