The Deck – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Robert Mitchell Jr. (8 of Clubs, New York)

Release Date: October 15, 2025
Host: Ashley Flowers
Case Subject: Robert Mitchell Jr., murdered in Rochester, NY, 2016

Overview

This week’s episode focuses on the brutal 2016 murder of Robert Mitchell Jr., a once-promising athlete known as "Big Rob." His unsolved case is one of the most haunting in Rochester’s recent history: a man found bound, beaten, and burned in a local park, with no clear motive and a string of frustrating dead ends. Host Ashley Flowers, alongside detective Terry Deercop, reconstructs Robert's last days, the challenges investigators faced, and the recent, game-changing break from a long-silent witness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Discovery of the Crime

• [02:01-05:21]
  • July 6, 2016: A dog walker in La Grange Park, Rochester, discovers a smoldering, bound body near the basketball courts and calls 911 in distress.
  • The victim is burned, naked from the waist down except for socks, hands duct-taped, and clearly killed before the fire.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Caller to 911: “There’s a dead body smoldering. Jesus Christ. Is the body on fire? … What is wrong with these people?” ([04:38])
  • Investigators quickly identify the body as Robert Mitchell Jr., thanks to a wallet and birth certificate found nearby.

Initial Investigation & Crime Scene

• [05:21-09:11]
  • Robert’s body was wrapped in a blue tarp and trash bags, apparently moved in a vehicle (tire tracks detected).
  • Forensic evidence showed he was severely beaten (possibly with a bat), likely killed elsewhere, and transported to the park after death.
  • Surveillance footage from a nearby industrial building captures a bright ignition in the park at 3:00 am—pinpointing time of arson.

Who Was Robert Mitchell Jr.?

• [09:25-14:41]
  • Robert ("Big Rob") was a gentle giant, former college basketball player whose career was derailed by injury and subsequent struggles with substance abuse and housing instability.
  • Known in Monroe Avenue’s bar scene for dart leagues and bouncing, he also struggled with recent job loss and began selling small amounts of cocaine.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Detective Deercop: “Most people described Rob as a gentle giant.” ([14:19])
  • Friends say he had become jumpy and nervous in the weeks before his death; some worried he was mixed up with the wrong people through low-level drug dealing.

Retracing Robert's Last Days

• [14:41-18:50]
  • Last confirmed sighting: Afternoon of July 4th at O’Callaghan’s bar, when he left his camera for safekeeping but missed his usual Fourth of July gathering.
  • Surveillance footage suggests he (or someone resembling him) was walking toward JD Oxford’s bar on July 5th—but it’s unclear if it’s really Robert.
  • He missed an important darts match that night—a strong indication something happened to him between July 4th and 5th.

Rumors, Theories, and Dead Ends

• [18:50-24:49]
  • Investigators dig into the possibility that Robert’s killing is connected to other local murders involving fire and drug disputes.
  • A crisis point emerges: Robert allegedly owed drug money or product to a low-level dealer named Adrian, who worked with an associate named Lance. Both are investigated and flagged as persons of interest.
  • A promising lead surfaces when blood and a broken bat are found in Adrian and his girlfriend’s former apartment—but DNA testing rules them out.
  • Detective Deercop: “A lot of cops will tell you they don’t believe in coincidences, but this case was full of them.” ([24:42])

Witnesses and Breakthrough

• [26:33-28:52]
  • In December 2018, Robert’s ex-girlfriend—embroiled in a bitter divorce and custody battle—implicates her husband (Gary), presenting a plausible but ultimately unsubstantiated suspicion.
  • Despite exhaustive efforts, her information leads nowhere conclusive.

Game-Changing Confession

• [31:17-35:41]
  • “Erica,” a new witness in December 2022, provides the tip that reframes the entire investigation.
  • The witness claims Robert was killed by “Tom,” a lesser-known acquaintance, over a drug debt: Tom had fronted Robert cocaine to sell, and Robert either used or failed to pay for it.
  • According to the witness, Tom attacked Robert as he slept on a couch in a friend's apartment, beating him with a bat or tire iron. The body was hidden for days behind a shed that was later torched, then moved to La Grange Park and set on fire.
  • Notable Quote:
    • Det. Deercop: “...if a witness comes forward and knows how he died, then we’ll know they were there. And that’s exactly what happened.” ([34:13])
  • Details shared by the witness (such as fire at the shed on same day) are independently corroborated in police records, adding strong credibility.

Challenges in Securing a Prosecution

• [38:39-40:41]
  • Lead detective Deercop identifies the crime’s circumstances and alleged perpetrator but can’t move forward legally, as the witness may not be credible enough to testify and faces other legal complications.
  • Tom has not yet been confronted by police—officers are deliberately holding back to protect the witness and avoid jeopardizing the now-clear picture of the crime’s timeline.
  • Investigators are seeking more forensic evidence and hoping for additional witnesses to bolster their case.

The Human Toll and Call for Justice

• [41:27-42:50]
  • Robert’s family remains deeply affected, declining interviews but expressing the pain from losing both their children.
  • Det. Deercop is personally invested in closure:
    • Detective Deercop: “As an investigator, most will tell you that there’s always that one case that sticks with you… This case just stays with me… I would really love to solve this case before I retire.” ([40:41])
  • A $10,000 reward is available for information leading to an arrest. Listeners are urged to come forward anonymously if necessary.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• The 911 Call – Raw Shock ([04:38]):

  “God, what’s wrong with these people? … There’s a dead body smoldering. Jesus Christ. Is the body on fire?”

• On Robert’s Reputation ([14:19]):

  “Most people described Rob as a gentle giant.” – Det. Deercop

• On Searching for the Truth ([34:13]):

  “We always said, if a witness comes forward and knows how he died, then we’ll know they were there. And that’s exactly what happened.” – Det. Deercop

• On the Case’s Emotional Weight ([40:41]):

  “This case just stays with me. Robert’s mom and dad stay with me… I would really love to solve this case before I retire.” – Det. Deercop

Important Timestamps

• Crime Scene Discovery & 911 Call: [02:01-05:21]
• Identifying the Victim: [05:21-06:22]
• Robert’s Background & Friends: [09:25-14:41]
• Possible Motives (Drugs & Debt): [14:41-20:31]
• Suspects & Investigation Stalls: [20:31-24:49]
• False Leads & Evidence Frustrations: [24:49-29:13]
• Breakthrough Witness Emerges: [31:17-35:41]
• Hurdles to Prosecution: [38:39-40:41]
• Appeal for Information: [41:27-end]

Tone and Language

Throughout the episode, Ashley Flowers and Detective Deercop balance investigative rigor with compassion for the victim and his family. The episode’s tone is somber yet urgent, communicating the frustration of repeated setbacks as well as determined hope. The police and host avoid sensationalism, focusing on facts and the very real impacts on those left behind.

Action Points

• Call to Action: Listeners with any information about Robert Mitchell Jr.’s case are encouraged to contact Rochester Police Major Crimes Unit at (585) 428-7157 or email majorcrimes@cityofrochester.gov. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (585) 423-9300.

Summary prepared for listeners who want a clear, detailed understanding of the case and episode – ideal for both true crime fans and advocates for cold case justice.