Mary Jane and Tom Zich met while she was a waitress in a small restaurant and he was a customer. They married and Mary Jane's life changed dramatically. Family members say Tom was quite jealous and abusive to Mary Jane soon after they were married. They say that she was isolated from them, that even though Mary Jane was very family oriented, there was no contact with them on a regular basis.
November 29, 1991 was the last time that Mary Jane Zich was seen alive. She and her daughter, Desiree, had just returned to their Toledo, Ohio home after visiting her parents for Thanksgiving. While on her visit, Mary Jane discussed the violence in her marriage to Tom Zich and told her parents that she was planning on divorcing him. According to reports to police given by Tom at the time, she received a phone call, left the house and didn't return, leaving 3 year old Desiree behind.
Apparently when Mary Jane returned home on November 28 from her family visit, she announced to Tom that, although they had been married less than a year, she wanted a divorce. No one knows what happened next or how Tom took the news, but on December 7, 1991 Tom reported her missing.
On December 18, 1991, Toledo police got a tip, found Mary Jane's car, opened the trunk to find her body, frozen. Tom Zich said "he didn't do it" and time marched on, Tom married wife #6, and little Desiree grew up.
In 2005, 14 years after Mary Jane's frozen body was found, cold case investigators took another look at the case, reinterviewing several witnesses, including Tom, who still denies having anything to do with Mary Jane's frozen body. Finally, in 2007, Tom Zich was indicted for the murder of his then wife, Mary Jane Zich.
Desiree Anaverde is now Desiree Pena, married and a mother herself, who grew up with a secret that is only now coming to light. Desiree will testify in her mother's murder trial that she witnessed Tom Zich murder her and put her body into the trunk of her car. I'm sure there will be a lot of legal wrangling on the testimony of a then 3 year old, however, I'm sure that Desiree will rest easier knowing that she will be a part of bringing justice to the memory of her mother.
"[The years after her death] were very difficult. It was very hard," she said. "You have the rest of your family; but to not have the one person you depend on, it's just really hard."Three of Tom's former wives were also granted their turn to testify. It seems that Tom had a history of attacking the throat when he got angry. Mary Jane Zich's cause of death was found to be strangled with a ligature. So it seems that 4 out 6 wives have had Tom Zich's hands around their throats, and one of them is no longer alive.
So many red flags were waving around Thomas Zich as a choice for a husband, why did these women not see them? This type of controlling, manipulative, chameleon-like man is recently coming to the forefront, although they have been around since the beginning of time. Drew Peterson, the poster boy for Narcissists, is still able to get attention from behind bars!
Maybe with attention and education on the issues of domestic violence and spousal murder from advocates like Susan Murphy Milano, we could see less of these cases. In her new book "Time's Up" she will give you step by step directions on how to safely leave an abusive home and not wind up strangled, frozen and found in a trunk.
Dateline NBC, a weekly television newsmagazine, will be taping the trial of Tom Zich for a future episode of the program, which usually airs on Friday nights.
UPDATE: JUNE 18,2009
A JURY FOUND TOM ZICH GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF MARY JANE ZICH
34 comments:
Thank you for sharing this. I can't imagine the pain the daughter will go through testifying. My heart goes out to her.
Why do women not see the behaviors?
I think in some cases they see it very clearly. The "mom" within these women feel they can help, and nurture these men enough that they change, or grow up because of the love. Sadly the narcissistic, sociopath behavior of the male seems to get very angry at the "mom" role, and eventually lose it.
I would love to read that book "Time's Up. I think awareness is so important to helping others.
Sharing Light, Kimmy
Another US Citizen convicted of a crime strictly based on motive and NO evidence, all hearsay. Just another case closed by our corrupt Government and its Officials. What about her drug-induced lover she was running with, that has been convicted on drug charges and manslughter. Why wasnt "this" man brought to trial? I personally know Tom Zich, and he has NOT been "found" Guilty, only convicted of a crime where HE is the victim, in a case where no other suspects were tried. Dont live your life with closed eyes, basing circumstances on assumptions!
Why is it that ones Character Profile can get them time behind bars, when NO evidence can be provided. Even for those out there that may be overly aggressive and possibly abusive... does that "automatically" make them a Murderer if a case arises?
I have known Tom Zich for 25 years, and never, I mean never could he have done this. Absolutly no evidece was presented. No eye witness, no DNA, nothing. He was railroaded by rumors and hearsay. What a bunch of horse shit.
First off I must let you know that I was one of the jurors on this case and by no means did we go in and say ok he is guilty lets goof off for 4 hours and the give our verdict. It was an emotional process for each one of us sitting on that jury. Obvisously the ones making some of these comments were not in the court room or they would have known that "the boyfriend" did take the stand and we did hear and believe his testimony. The "government/ local officals" were not the ones that "found Tom Zich guilty", it was a JURY of everyday citzens from all fields of jobs that looked at every bit of "EVIDENCE" that was provided in the case and went over every possible scenario before reaching our verdict. Mary Jane did not deserve to die for wanting out of a marriage, no woman or man does and for people to make such comments is absurd. Tom Zich lied and was caught in his lies and was taped during a interview with the police and there were lies and changing of his story in that hour long interview. He never took the stand nor did he have one character witness take the stand to prove what his character was...maybe if he had the result may have been different!!
Beth A, thank you for coming forward and addressing this issue. If the "Anonymous" would read around this blog they would discover many other cases with circumstances similar to this one. There are certain patterns that almost all of these men follow and their motives seem to be similar. They are experts at manipulation and disguising what goes on behind closed doors, meaning you could know them for 25 years and never know what they are capable of.
Does a "character profile" mean he is guilty? NO, but combine that with the testimony of 4 out of 6 ex-wives along with others, and you have a pretty good case, and in this one, a guilty verdict.
I applaud the jurors for sifting through the evidence and coming up with a verdict. So many more of these cases will never get that far and way too many children of these missing and murdered women are the ones who ultimately suffer through the rest of their lives.
Beth A Sorry young lady, but you sent a man to jail for life that had absolutly no evidence to convict him. What was your proof of this crime? Hearsay and rumors? Yes, I believe so. And yes, I was there.
I do not have a problem informing you of any evidence that we heard. Would you feel different had this been your DAUGHTER, SISTER, MOTHER???
Testimonies from 3 x wives is a hell of a reason to sent a man to jail. What a joke
Delilah,
I want to thank you and others for having websites that help victims of crimes. I think it is sad that people are trying to make what happened to Mary Jane Zich, something that she caused. It angers me, I know everyone has a right to their own opinion. I am ending the arguments over this by letting these "anonymous" persons know that our (the jurors)decision was not soley based on the "testimonies" of the ex-wives. It was actually a smaller weight on the situation. God bless you and everyone associated with this website and please continue your fight to help others find peace and closure.
I am one of the Children raised by Tom Zich from 2 1/2 yrs to 7 yrs. Let me tell you he is an evil man. You better believe he did this to her. Justice has finally been served with his man I hope he ROTS IN HELL. He did things to me when I was a child that no child should ever go threw. He took my childhood,teen age years & part of my adulthood. If they would have let a child go in front of a Judge back in the 70's I would have gone. Then maybe Desiree would still have a mom. But things we different back then, You think you really know Tom Zich, you are sadly mistaken....
Please watch our families story on Dateline NBC Friday Nov.20th at 8PM CT, 9PM ET. You can decide for yourself if Tom deserves to be where he is right now.
Desiree
I'm glad justice was finally served Desi. I will hopefully be there with you guys tonight to watch this with with everyone. AE
"anonymous"--- your such a looser, small minded person. your probably his brother or something. and if he is such a great person that youve know for over 25 years where were you during the trial? why didnt you testify on his behalf? why didnt you ever wonder why he had so many wives? so many fires? did you ever stop to think theres somehting wrong with this guy? your probably as sick as he is, and if your not then your some type of idiot with no judgement of character. if everyone that came near this man reports the devil in him coming out of no where in only 3-4 months then you definelty have a problem thinking hes a great man. may god bless desiee and her family and may tom rot in hell (just looking at his picture you can tell hes a creep!)
rumor has it he'll be out soon on bond
WHERE is Tom Zich being held ?
THOMAS ZICH
Number: A608032
DOB: 08/12/1946
Gender: Male
Race: White
Admission Date: 07/02/2009
Institution: Toledo Correctional Institution
Status: INCARCERATED
Victim Info Ohio Revised Code Pre-S.B. 2 Felony
Sentencing Chart S.B. 2 Felony
Sentencing Chart
Offense Information
MURDER Counts: 1 ORC: 2903.02 3
Committing County: LUCAS Admission Date: 07/02/2009 Degree of Felony: MR
Sentence Information
Indefinite Sentence Min:
Indefinite Sentence Max:
Expiration of Max Sentence: 15 years
Life Sentence
01/01/8888
Parole Hearing Information
Next Parole Board Hearing/Review Month:
Latest Parole Board Hearing/Review Type & Results:
Anonymous from June 21, 2009 2:14 AM & June 21, 2009 2:17 AM:
You're an idiot!! And as one of the comments suggested if you knew this guy and he was such a good man - why didn't you appear in court to testify on his behalf - some friend you are. Hey maybe you'd allow him to date your daughter aye? You probably one of those comspiracy theorist who believer President Bush brought down the Twin Towers not Osama Bin Laden. You're a freakin idiot and sad to know there are people like you living in our society amongst the rest of us. You are a sad sad excuse for a human being to even make the comments you made not taking into consideration of the families he has destroyed along throughout his life. Not only Mary Jane but anyone and everyone he has come into comtact with. Get a life.
People said Ted Bundy was a nice guy too and we all know how that turned out. Tom was not a nice man. It pains me greatly to say that because his mom was my grandma. She was the sweetest, saintliest, kindhearted woman on the planet. I cannot see how someone so wonderful could turn out such a monster. It is inconcievable. Desiree, I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Justice was finally served for your beautiful mother. God Bless you.
I also knew him personally, my mom was one of his wives, and would never ever ever thought he could possibly be guilty of this. He never mistreated me in any way. He was always kind and helpful actually. You just never know....only Mary Jane knows what happen to her. Its just such a sad story. :(
"Anonymous Asshole" it just goes to show how ignorant you are to get on here & defend this MONSTER who has clearly destroyed more lives than he has been convicted of & you go as far as to attack the jury & there verdict?! I agree with Beth A. Where were you when this murderer needed a character witness? The only injustice in this case is the fact that he may get out of prison one day when clearly he deserves the death penalty or life with no parole at best, rot in hell Zich
i just watch the special on tom zich... and im convinced that a innocent man was convicted. the fact that 3 ex wives testimony was used at trial is pathetic..he will get out on a appeal. the reporting was extremely bias . and the fact that a man convicted of manslaughter DNAs was found in her and he wasn't the prime suspect. its ridiculous . there was not one piece of physical evidence linking him to the crime. and he was convicted. this is crazy i hope i never have to go to trial for anything with jury's like this out there.
If.he was.such a.great man.thrn why did your mother.divorce.him.
Hopefully you dont still hsve those ridiculous views. HE DID IT, her boyfriend was cleared, just another american who cant see the truth because of personal feelings. The daughter has been telling the story since she was three. Children dont make up things like that. Dont be stupid all your life. HE DID IT HANDS DOWN
What I find interesting is that Mr. Zich had people in the police department believing his stories even after changed. Anonymous 1, you accuse the jury convicting a man on just information. In this day and age, it's how you also how you get a job, a friend, something about that man screamed "murderer" I'm not saying it happens all the time, but think about it. Secondly, I lived with a pedophile, and he was abusive, to his wife and kids, but outside the home, he was funny, helpful, intelligent and no one would ever believe he was a monster, in others words, you have no idea what was like behind closed doors. But the truth will always come out.
Your an idiot
Your an idiot
Anyone that has an account says anonymous and sounds uneducated shows that you need to be realistic. The boyfriend had a solid Malibu idiot and she had no drugs in her system.
Funny because you are lying. You are his wife found out your IP address mmmm you should be ashamed pathetic piece of crap
Another fake account by his wife
Exactly hey it's his current wife saying this shit for him puke
I would just like to say I am a family member of Mary Jane and Desiree and this was a tragic thing that happened and Desiree took it very hard but she is a strong woman just like her mother was and things happen nobody knows the story except for him and her and let me just say that Mary Jane was the most beautiful nice kind woman that I’ve ever met and to find her in the trunk of her car is just the most horrible heinous crime anyone could ever do
I love you, Sis. No child should have had to endure that which you did.
Never found and thing wrong with Tom. He was kind giving and a good guy.
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