EP. 213 - LOUISIANA: He Killed The Pedophile Who Molested His Son On Live TV: The Gary Plauche Story
Podcast: Murder In America (Bloody FM)
Hosts: Courtney Shannon & Colin Browen
Release Date: August 22, 2025
Episode Overview
This harrowing episode of Murder in America unpacks the infamous case of Gary Plauche—a Baton Rouge, Louisiana father who killed Jeff Doucet, the karate instructor who kidnapped, raped, and groomed his 11-year-old son, Jody Plauche. The murder, broadcast live on television in 1984, sparked a nationwide debate about vigilantism, justice, and the failures of the system to protect children from predators.
Featuring extensive first-person insights from Jody Plauche, the episode explores the nuanced dynamics of grooming, familial trauma, survivor recovery, community reaction, and the enduring impact of these events. The hosts, Courtney and Colin, structure the episode to not only relive the chilling details but also to empower listeners with knowledge on preventing and recognizing child sexual abuse.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Crime and Its Legacy
[01:35]
- The murder of Jeff Doucet, who had raped and kidnapped Jody, took place live on TV at Baton Rouge airport (03/16/1984).
- The iconic line captured on camera, "Why, Gary? Why?" haunted and polarized public opinion: Was this justifiable revenge or a crime?
- The case became famous both for the brutality of Doucet’s abuse and for the televised, sensational ending at Gary's hands.
"To many of the millions watching the footage, the answer to that question was clear. Because Jeff deserved it. To others, the murder was an unjustified death." – Courtney [01:35]
2. Background: The Plauche Family
[05:05] – [09:21]
- Gary was beloved and well-known; June, Jody’s mother, was a Bronx transplant who created a loving home despite marital difficulties.
- The 1970s and early 80s was an era of 'stranger danger' education—but predators were often trusted adults.
“The kidnapper that was going to come for him wasn't a stranger. It was someone the family loved and trusted.” – Colin [05:09]
- Jody’s early childhood was filled with sports, family gatherings, and community connections—elements that intensified both his eventual isolation and his support network.
“Even including all the other things, I still consider my childhood great.” – Jody [09:21]
3. Grooming and Abuse: The Methodology of a Predator
[15:37] – [40:00]
- Jeff Doucet, charismatic and seemingly trustworthy, infiltrated the community via karate lessons; he groomed both children and parents with gifts, attention, and affability.
- Doucet’s own history of childhood sexual trauma and familial neglect contributed to his predatory behavior.
- He normalized physical (and then sexual) contact in incremental steps, using special treatment (e.g., letting boys drive his car), team 'bonding,' and eventual coercion and threats.
“So that was his way of kind of grooming the family... he had told them... he couldn't have sex, so that's why he loves kids...” – Jody [21:29]
- Doucet manipulated Jody through emotional control, guilt, isolation (encouraging to quit other sports/friends), and escalating sexual abuse.
4. The Kidnapping and Cross-Country Ordeal
[48:36] – [61:24]
- With financial and legal pressures closing in, Doucet kidnapped Jody and fled Baton Rouge, beginning a journey through Texas and California.
- Jody, already traumatized, experienced the kidnapping almost like a reprieve (he was not abused on the bus journey).
“…the two days on the bus he couldn't molest me. So that was a break.” – Jody [55:12]
-
While in California, Doucet considered selling Jody to other pedophiles and forced him into sexual acts multiple times, except during periods where Doucet was preoccupied with evading law enforcement.
-
Jody’s mother and law enforcement worked frantically to trace them, using wiretapped calls to track Doucet’s location, leading to a successful FBI rescue in Anaheim, CA.
“If you ever kidnap an 11-year-old boy, don’t call their parents collect.” – Jody [60:22]
5. Community Reaction and the Killing
[73:27] – [84:00]
- Upon learning the details of the abuse from the rape kit and Jody’s admission, Gary was consumed by rage and devastation.
- Gary obtained the arrival information for Doucet's extradition from a media contact and plotted to confront him at the airport.
- On March 16, 1984, he executed Doucet with a single shot in front of police and TV cameras.
“If he had done that to your family, you would have done the same thing, too. You don't know what he did to Jody." – Gary (post-shooting, paraphrased, [77:17])
- The news coverage ignited fierce debates on justice, vigilantism, and systemic failure to protect vulnerable children.
6. Aftermath & Legal Outcome
[84:00] – [87:53]
- Gary was initially charged with second-degree murder, spending fewer than three days in jail.
- Ultimately, he pleaded no contest to manslaughter and received a suspended sentence, probation, and community service—reflecting broad public sympathy.
- The psychiatric evaluation concluded he suffered from temporary insanity at the time of the crime.
- The killing divided the community—some saw Gary as a hero, others as a criminal.
7. Recovery, Humor, and Advocacy: Jody Plauche’s Journey
[87:53] – [91:43]
- Jody went on to graduate from LSU, become a leading sexual abuse advocacy worker, and win survivor and activist awards.
- He credits his mother’s calm, supportive approach with allowing him to heal and speak out.
“I was comforted in her calmness, so it allowed me to open up and feel comfortable to talk about it more. And I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders.” – Jody [69:15]
- He authored Why, Gary, Why? to help parents and victims recognize grooming and abuse, and stresses that victimization does not have to define one’s life.
“You don’t have to be destroyed because something like that happens... you just accept it, move on, and you don’t have to be scarred for life.” – Jody [89:45]
- Jody and Gary reconciled before Gary’s death in 2014. Jody continues to use humor as a coping tool and as a means to break the ice for others.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
On Grooming, from Jody:
“He integrated himself into being like a fun guy, very charismatic... he had told them... that he got a vasectomy as a kid so he couldn't have sex, so that took the sexual perversion off the table… part of the grooming process.” — [21:29]
On Recovery:
“A bad year does not equal a bad life. It is just a moment...you can get help and get to the other side of those moments...you cannot let a moment define you.” — Jody, quoting from his book [89:45]
On Justice and Regret:
“His relationship with his children was incredibly strong, and before he passed, when asked if he regretted what he had done, he said no... the only thing he regretted was taking a human life.” — Courtney (about Gary) [91:08]
On Social Silence & Humor:
“Y’ all are staring at me like I’ve been kidnapped or something.” – Jody, returning to school after the ordeal [69:26]
Notable Timestamps
- 01:35 — The crime: murder on TV, initial framing
- 09:21 — Jody reflects on a good childhood, despite trauma
- 15:37 — Introduction of karate, and Jeff Doucet as the predator
- 21:29 — Jody describes Doucet’s family grooming techniques
- 24:20 — The boundary-pushing and escalation of abuse
- 31:06 — First night of explicit sexual abuse
- 35:24 — Hotel incident—escalation and Jody’s awareness that the abuse was deliberate
- 40:00 — Jody’s forced isolation and psychological manipulation by Doucet
- 55:12 — Jody describes the bus ride west as a "vacation" due to respite from abuse
- 60:22 — The pivotal collect call that led to their location
- 77:17 — The televised shooting and Gary’s breakdown
- 84:00 — Psychiatric report and precedent-setting trial
- 89:45 — Jody’s survivor message and concluding thoughts
- 91:08 — Reflections on Gary’s life and lack of regret for killing Doucet
Final Thoughts & Call to Action
This episode powerfully chronicles both a family's unimaginable trauma and their remarkable resilience. The Plauche story is a call for vigilance around trusted adults in children’s lives; for dialogue and openness about sexual abuse; and for questioning the lines between justice, revenge, and vigilantism.
Resource:
- Jody Plauche’s book — Why, Gary, Why?
- The Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault
“The world is full of suffering, but it's also full of the overcoming of it. And that's my take.” – Jody [89:45]
For further information, interviews, and survivor resources, see the Murder In America show notes and recommended links.