Dateline NBC The Ruse
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Dec 9, 2025 In a gripping tale, Tom Perez Jr. shares the harrowing experience of reporting his father's disappearance, only to find himself thrust into a murder investigation. He recounts tense police interrogations filled with deception, including a shocking moment when detectives falsely claimed they found a body. Tom Jr. vehemently denies his coerced confession, highlighting the ethical concerns surrounding police ruses. The story takes a wild turn with the revelation that Tom Sr. was alive all along, leading to a lawsuit and settlement that changed both their lives forever.
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Suspicious Scene At Home
- Tom Perez Jr. called police when his father didn’t return from the mailbox and officers found bleach smell, missing shower curtain, visible blood, and a cadaver dog alert.
- Surveillance showed Tom Jr. buying large trash bags and a Lowe's receipt from that night, raising immediate suspicion.
Tours That Heightened Suspicion
- Detectives took Tom on drives to donation sites and a golf course, where he behaved oddly and pointed toward water hazards.
- He led them to bags containing his father's clothing, deepening investigators' belief he’d disposed of evidence.
False Body Claim And Breakdown
- Police told Tom Jr. they had found his father's body, which shattered him and led to a detailed confession under intense pressure.
- He later attempted to hang himself in the interrogation room during the prolonged questioning.