20/20 True Crime Vault: “Words to Die By”

Podcast: 20/20 (ABC News)
Air Date: October 28, 2025
Host: ABC News Team

Main Theme

This gripping episode revisits the tragic true crime case of Michelle Carter and Conrad Roy III—the Massachusetts teens whose digitally mediated relationship ended with Roy’s suicide and Carter’s landmark involuntary manslaughter conviction. The episode traverses their backgrounds, the harrowing text exchanges, the investigation, the courtroom drama, and the legal and societal ramifications of the question, “Can words kill?”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background & Introduction to Conrad Roy and Michelle Carter

• Conrad Roy:
  • Well-loved, academically strong, a high school athlete from coastal Mattapoisett, MA.
  • From a family of tugboat captains; achieved his own captain’s license at 18.
  • “He was always...he’s so funny, like, he was always laughing. He was always involved.” (Conrad’s relative, 04:15)
• Michelle Carter:
  • From Plainville, MA; described as bubbly and kind, an honor roll student, “most likely to make your day better.”
  • Her friendships were often mediated through texting.
  • “Quiet kid. Never known her to do a mean thing. Would do whatever she could to help you.” (Michelle’s coach, 09:10)

2. Their Relationship: Online Love & Hidden Struggles

• Met by chance while both families vacationed in Florida; kept in touch mostly via text with few real-life meetings.
• Shared their mental health challenges, confiding more in each other than in their families.
  • “No one truly knows what’s going on with me. No one. I feel trapped in my own skin.” (Conrad, 19:43)
  • “I used to eat a carrot and then feel like I’d have to run three miles to burn it off...I have started to cut.” (Michelle, 25:09)
• Texts ranged from intimate and lighthearted to exceedingly dark.
  • Supported each other’s struggles for a while—Michelle encouraged Conrad to seek help.

3. Descent Into Darkness: The Tragic Pivot

• Over two-plus years, Conrad repeatedly expressed suicidal ideation in texts.
• Initially, Michelle urged him to seek help, but texts in July 2014 became chillingly encouraging of suicide:
  • “If you really want to die, you’ll make this work tonight. I’m tired of you not taking this seriously.” (Michelle, 39:45)
• Michelle provided practical advice:
  • “Carbon monoxide poisoning is the best option...If you fall asleep in your car while it’s running in a garage, it will kill you. And there’s no pain.” (Michelle, 01:08:35)

4. Conrad’s Final Day and Aftermath

• Outwardly, Conrad appeared happy with family July 12, 2014, but continued texting Michelle about suicide, wavering repeatedly.
• Michelle pushed him to act:
  • “Are you going to do it now?...Okay, you can do this.” (Michelle, 01:15:40)
• After his death, Michelle comforted Conrad’s family and attended his memorial, all while sending them supportive messages and even asking for some of his ashes—an act that began to unsettle his family.

5. Discovery & Investigation

• Police found incriminating texts on Conrad’s phone (which he hadn’t deleted as he told Michelle he would).
• Michelle’s own messages to friends revealed even more:
  • “Sam, his death is my fault...he got out of the car because it was working, and he got scared, and I told him to get back in.” (Michelle to Samantha Boardman, 01:45:21)
• Investigators concluded Michelle’s texts played a “critical role” in Conrad’s suicide.

6. Legal Proceedings: A Land Mark Case

• Michelle Carter indicted for involuntary manslaughter.
• The courtroom drama centered on whether words—text messages—could constitute a crime in Massachusetts, which had no assisted suicide law.
• Defense’s Argument: Michelle struggled with mental illness, was physically distant, and was influenced by antidepressant side effects (the "involuntary intoxication" defense).
• Prosecution’s Argument: Her texts and phone calls encouraged, facilitated, and ensured Conrad's follow-through.
• Verdict hinged on Michelle’s instruction:
  • “This court finds that instructing Mr. Roy to get back in the truck constituted wanton and reckless conduct...” (Judge, 02:33:45)
• Result: Michelle was convicted, sentenced to 2.5 years (15 months to be served, remainder suspended).

7. Societal, Legal, and Personal Impact

• The case exploded into national consciousness; debated across America and soon dramatized in Hulu’s The Girl from Plainville.
• A subsequent similar case (Inyoung You & Alexander Urtula, Boston College) underscores the growing influence of digital bullying and encouragement in suicide cases.
• The story spurred legislative action, with “Conrad’s Law” introduced to make coercion into suicide a punishable crime in Massachusetts.
• Conrad’s family shifted focus to mental health awareness and suicide prevention:
  • “My hope is to have something positive to come out of his passing and help others in the future.” (Lynn Roy, 02:59:02)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Conrad’s Character:
  • “He was arts; he was our kid.” (Conrad’s family, 01:28:32)
• On the Texts:
  • “When are you going to do it? Well, is it going to be soon? Are you going to do it tonight? ...Because I can’t stay up past 12.” (Michelle, 01:34:53)
• On Legal Responsibility:
  • “It’s a new day and age, Your Honor. ...People bully via text and the Internet. And you can encourage someone to die via text. You can commit a crime via text.” (Prosecution closing, 02:22:28)
• On the Emotional Aftermath:
  • “15 months goes by in the blink of an eye. And I have a lifetime without my son.” (Conrad’s family, 02:49:10)
• On Legacy:
  • “There’s been a lot of people...saying that Conrad’s story has saved their lives. I think that’s like a legacy in its own. Honestly. I think the world gained an angel.” (Conrad’s family, 03:03:21)

Timeline & Timestamps (select highlights)

• Conrad & Michelle’s backgrounds: 04:15–13:20
• Developing relationship & early texts: 14:20–31:10
• Emergence of suicidal ideation & attempts: 32:40–38:55
• Shift to encouraging messages: 39:45–50:40
• Conrad’s final day/events leading up to suicide: 01:10:10–01:21:20
• Discovery of texts, investigation aftermath: 01:34:40–01:45:21
• Incriminating confession to friend: 01:45:21
• Indictment & pretrial: 01:56:40–02:07:20
• Trial begins, witness testimony: 02:15:10–02:23:55
• Closing arguments: 02:40:00
• Verdict & sentencing: 02:33:45–02:50:00
• Public impact, aftermath, legacy: 02:53:10–End

Conclusion

“Words to Die By” offers a wide-lens, emotionally rich perspective on one of the most consequential digital-age crime stories. Through in-depth interviews, court recordings, and real text excerpts, the episode probes the psychological turmoil of two troubled teens, the blurred boundaries between being a confidante and an enabler, and the seismic legal, ethical, and social consequences that continue to reverberate.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.