“I Have Killed for You”: 20/20 Reports on Bonnie Woodward Homicide June 6 2025

On Friday, June 6, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. EDT, ABC’s 20/20 airs a gripping two-hour episode titled “I Have Killed for You,” investigating the 2010 disappearance and murder of Bonnie Woodward. The episode, led by Nightline co-anchor JuJu Chang, explores the case that haunted Alton, Illinois, for a decade before finally seeing justice in a courtroom. Through new interviews and exclusive case files, 20/20 unravels the disturbing events that unfolded after Bonnie vanished without a trace.

Woodward’s story is one of mystery, manipulation, and unimaginable betrayal. The case begins as a routine missing persons report but evolves into a complex criminal investigation involving family conflict, coercion, abuse, and ultimately, murder. Viewers are taken deep into a chilling series of events that reveal how one woman’s disappearance led to shocking revelations and a high-stakes courtroom showdown.

The Disappearance of Bonnie Woodward

Bonnie Woodward, a 47-year-old mother of four and nursing home worker, vanished on June 25, 2010, after completing her shift at work. Her family was immediately alarmed. Known for her consistent communication and responsibility, Bonnie’s failure to return home was completely out of character. Hours turned to days, and fears intensified when her red pickup truck was found abandoned.

Witnesses later recalled seeing Bonnie entering a silver Chevrolet with an unidentified man shortly after leaving work. Investigators initially focused on Heather Woodward, Bonnie’s teenage stepdaughter, who had recently run away and was considered a person of interest. However, Heather was eventually cleared, having been manipulated into silence and isolation during a critical period in the investigation.

A Cold Case Heats Up

For years, the investigation into Bonnie’s disappearance stalled due to lack of evidence. Behind the scenes, suspicions centered around a man named Roger Carroll, a Jersey County resident with known ties to Heather. Heather had been living with the Carroll family shortly after fleeing Bonnie’s home, and she testified that Roger Carroll had imposed strict rules, forbidding phone or computer use and warning her not to disclose her whereabouts.

The break in the case came nearly a decade later, when Roger Carroll’s son, Nathan Carroll, came forward. At 25 years old, Nathan provided a chilling account of the events he witnessed as a 16-year-old. According to Nathan, he saw his father shoot Bonnie Woodward and then instructed him to help dispose of the body by burning it in a brush pile soaked in gasoline and oil. The fire was kept smoldering for days before the remains were further scattered.

The Role of Abuse and Coercion

During the trial, testimony revealed that Roger Carroll ruled his home through intimidation and violence. His ex-wife Monica testified that Carroll had admitted to being a “monster” who could not control his rage. She described being held against her will, tasered, and physically assaulted. This history of abuse set the backdrop for his manipulation of both his son and Heather Woodward.

Heather revealed that she had left Bonnie’s home due to family tensions and had briefly stayed with a teacher before moving in with the Carrolls. While living under Roger’s roof, she was forced to obey strict rules and avoid contact with the outside world. Heather’s presence was ultimately used by Carroll to lure Bonnie to his property under the guise of a reunion—only for it to become the site of Bonnie’s murder.

A search of the Carroll property uncovered over 30 firearms, including the 9mm handgun later identified as the murder weapon. Forensic analysis further revealed fragments of Bonnie’s bone among the ashes on the property, confirming Nathan’s horrifying account.

Trial and Conviction

After years of waiting, the case finally moved forward in 2020. Roger Carroll was tried and convicted of first-degree murder following only four hours of jury deliberation. The court found that Carroll had meticulously stalked Bonnie, learning her habits and movements, and used her stepdaughter as bait. Nathan’s testimony, granted under immunity due to his age at the time of the crime, proved crucial in securing the conviction.

At sentencing, Circuit Judge Eric Pistorius issued a 65-year prison term: 40 years for murder and 25 years for a firearm enhancement. The judge called it a “meticulously planned, senseless death.” Carroll maintained his innocence and claimed the trial was unfair, blaming the judge and judicial process. However, the jury and court firmly rejected his defense.

Family Impact and Final Words

Bonnie Woodward’s family was left shattered by her loss and the nature of her death. Her son gave a powerful impact statement in court, describing the deep void left by her absence. He recalled missed milestones—births, weddings, holidays—and the pain of not being able to give her a proper burial due to Carroll’s efforts to destroy her remains.

“My mother was a good-hearted, dedicated mother,” he told the court. “Roger Carroll robbed us of her life and her memory. He doesn’t deserve one more day of freedom.”

Bonnie’s brother, Roscoe Gray, also spoke after the verdict. “We needed this,” he said. “She didn’t deserve what happened to her. She gave everything to her family, and this man killed her for lies.”

Conclusion

The 20/20 episode “I Have Killed for You” brings national attention to a case long fought by a grieving family and determined investigators. What began as a disappearance evolved into a haunting saga of control, manipulation, and justice delayed. Yet in the end, justice was delivered.

As the public learns more about Bonnie Woodward’s tragic fate, this story serves as a grim reminder of the power of persistence in cold case investigations—and the lengths some will go to conceal the truth. Through courageous testimony and forensic diligence, a monster was brought to justice. Bonnie’s memory lives on, not just in the hearts of her family, but in the national spotlight her case now commands.