The Buddhist Temple Execution


There have been many bizarre murders in and around the City of Phoenix, but the killing of six Buddhist monks was extremely shocking. Even though the killings were horrible, it was the manner to which they were murdered that was the most appalling. On Saturday, August 10, 1991, during the scorching summer, nine people, which included six Buddhist monks, a nun and two acolytes, were found shot to death at the Wat Promkunaram Buddhist temple in the far west area of Phoenix. A temple member found the bodies lying side by side in what appeared to be an execution-style killing. The homicides were label the largest mass slaying in Maricopa County’s history.

Among the fatalities was a 71 year old num, Foy Sripanpiaserf, who was the grandmother of the youngest murder victim, Matthew Miller. Miller was 16 years old, a novice monk, and a high school student. Some of the other victims included a high priest and a 21 year old acolyte. Authorities said that there were no signs of struggle or resistance. Only two small rooms appeared to have been disheveled with the temple area and main rooms looking as if they were untouched, leaving no motive for the murders.

This is what the investigators found upon arrival of the crime scene: The bodies of all nine victims were found in the living room near a couch and still dressed in their saffron robes. The carpet underneath the bodies and their clothing was saturated in blood. They were arranged in a circular pattern and lying face down. They were all shot in the back of the head at close range, some at least three times. Their fingers were laced together behind their necks and from the way the bodies fell, it looked like they were praying and gave no resistance.

To get some sort of clues about who would commit such a heinous act of violence, they found some strange evidence in and around the crime scene. In the middle of the bodies was an ashtray filled with remains of a fire that appeared to be put out with a couple of extinguishers. The monks didn’t smoke so they figured that this act was just done out of shear sick pleasure. A pile of keys was found on a table, the word “bloods” was carved in a wall, shell casings from a 20-gauge shotgun, as well as more casings from other types of shot guns. They figured the keys were probably used to locate a safe and with more than one type of casing found at the crime scene, it would appear that more than one person enacted the killings.

Who would carry out this extremely violent crime on a group of monks in their temple while they were praying? On August 20th, during a standard traffic stop, the Luke Air Force Base officer noticed a rifle lying on the passenger side of a car driven by 17 year old Rolando Caratachea. Behind Caratachea’s car was another driven by 16 year old Jonathan Doody, who was of Thai descent, and was also pulled over for “suspicious activity.” The boys were stopped the next day but this time they were together in the same car. The officer inquired where the rifle was at and Caratachea said that it was in his car parked at Doody’s house. They found the rifle somewhat hidden and by law had to report it to the sheriff deputy. The boys were found to have no record so the rifle was returned back to them.

It would be a month later that the Office of Special Investigations heard about the incident and check police records and issued a warrant to take hold of the rifle. No assessment was done on the rifle right away. Instead it was put in evidence with about 80 other rifles that were also confiscated for testing. It wouldn’t be until October 24th when investigators got a break in the case. The weapon that was retrieved from Caratachea’s car, .22 caliber semiautomatic Marlin rifle, proved to be a match with the bullet casings found in the temple. Upon further examination of the place, they found a 20-gauge Stevens shotgun which match the casings, presenting the investigators both weapons. The search also turned up two knives, a camouflage hat, two facemasks, and gloves leading them to believe that the motive was robbery. Another theory for the murders was that it could have been some sick desire to play war that the boys decided to carry out.

In typical fashion, they made different statements about the killing, each saying that it was the other guy’s idea and they pulled the trigger, killing all nine victims. Doody acting all innocent said that it was a large gang he was with and was outside when all the shooting started. He didn’t know why they had all those weapons and thought there were at the temple as a “challenge” to beat the sensor alarm for the building. He went on to say that his family was in danger of being hurt by these men. A judge didn’t buy the stories and said that the boys would be tried as adults with the maximum penalty of death.

In 1993, Garcia decided to testify against Doody in exchange for a sentence of life in prison. Garcia pleaded guilty and explained the whole events of what happened on August 9, 1991. The intention was robbery because they heard rumors that the monks had a safe with lots of money, with guns, and cameras in their rooms. They figured that the monks would be an easy mark and wouldn’t put up a fight. They made a war game of it, wearing camouflage gear and carried assault rifles. They arrived at the temple around 10 and 10:30 pm, forcing them to kneel in a circle looking at each other, while they ransacked the place. Shortly afterwards, the nun came in and they had her to kneel down and be part of the group. For an hour they waited while the men vandalized the temple collecting over $2,500, cameras, and stereo equipment, but having no success discovering which key opened the safe. Garcia goes on to say that he wanted to go but it was Doody who didn’t want to leave anyone behind that can testify against them, and carved the word “Bloods” in the wall.

On July 12, 1993, Jonathan Doody was sentenced to 281 years in prison for his part in the murders. Garcia was sentenced to 271 which was the maximum punishment under the plea agreement. It was still unclear who actually pulled the trigger, but this senseless act of execution will still go down in Phoenix history as one of the largest mass murders to date. It makes you wonder if the spirits of these nine helpless people are still wandering around the Wat Promkunaram Buddhist Temple. I didn’t find any evidence of ghosts on the premises, but that doesn’t mean their spirits aren’t there.

Comments

  1. To me there is nothing more tragic then murders for money. All that life wasted for a little pocket change. That is a very sad story.

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  2. I have to admit that is one place I most want to do a ghost hunt. There is something about murder in the middle of spirituality in a place of worship that seems like it would contain a powerful desire to crossover and contact us. Fantastic post!

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  3. Jessica, it made no sense. Sad indeed...

    Autumn, I think it would be an interesting place to investigate. The energy there must be crazy considering how they died.

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  4. It's stories like this that make me lose a little faith in good of humanity. I can't believe someone would do something like that.

    Maybe this little award will brighten your day a bit: http://southern21.blogspot.com/2010/08/getting-back-on-track.html.

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  5. wow-this was so long ago I didn't remember it, if I ever heard about it at all. Fascinating in a creepy sort of way. New follower- and I an avid believer in the paranormal.

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  6. Andrea, it was hard to believe when it happened, and still is. Thanks for the mention on your other blog. I added it to my blogroll.

    Onreeone, welcome to my little ol' blog. I am a believer too and also in search of more answers to the paranormal. I wanted to see if there was any ghost sightings at the temple, and found myself sickened once again by what happened.

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  7. I just don't get people. Buddhist's are some of the most peaceful, kind, forgiving people. I'm currently reading The Essence of Buddhism to help me with forgiveness - of myself. I do however agree with Autumforest, it seems like it would be a wonderful place to ghost hunt. After all, they do believe in reincarnation...and karma!

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  8. What a sad and senseless act. Thank you for sharing the story.

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  9. I worked on that terrible case, was at the Temple that day, and the bodies were not arranged in a circle or a circular pattern. For some reason that false information
    keeps getting repeated. Maybe it makes for a more mysterious story or someone just copies the work of others. Look at the picture.

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  10. Matt was my friend we went to school together I loved hanging out with him he was so funny and kind I miss him and love him very much even today he is still with me in my heart I love you matt

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  11. Went to school with him. TGB. Had no idea he was Buddhist. Great guy. Kinda geeky and never meant any harm. Could've swore we smoked cigarettes together but after reading this, maybe not. He was close to another kid i believed to be his brother but maybe not. R.I.P. bro. Senseless bullshhhht!

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  12. Matthew miller was my ex bf that was killed in the massacre

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