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Why did a man take his own life?

Posted: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 11:38 AM by Dateline Editor
Filed Under: , ,

Preview tonight's upcoming report.

by Chris Hansen, Dateline correspondent

As our “To Catch a Predator” investigation continues here in Murphy, Texas, we continue to see a trend that amazes me:  men who have heard about our investigations before --  and some who have actually watched them—still show up at our hidden camera house.

Take the case of 31-year old Eric Rubalcava. During the online chat, Rubalcava talked about how he wants to have sex with the girl and how he’ll kiss her all over. When he showed up at the undercover house, he had camera equipment in his car and an excuse when he meets me. Rubalcava says he thought the girl was 18, but it’s clear from the chat log the girl told him she was 13.

As the conversation continued, he recognized me and talked about seeing the “To Catch a Predator” series once before. I asked him what he thought about the show. He told me it was disturbing to see men go after young girls, but there he was allegedly doing the very same thing. The difference, he claimed, is that he really wouldn’t have had sex with the girl, although he admitted that he might have taken some photographs of her. Like 23 of the other men who surfaced in the Murphy investigation, he’s charged with online solicitation of a minor.

You’ll also meet a man, alleged to have committed the same crime, who made a tragic choice. In two years and nine investigations, we’ve never experienced anything like this: Louis W. Conradt Jr. was an assistant district attorney in a neighboring county.  Before that, he was an elected district attorney. He’d been a prosecutor for more than 20 years and was well-known in law enforcement circles.  But evidence indicates that on this particular Saturday night, he was having a sexually-explicit chat and sending pornographic photos to a Perverted-Justice decoy posing as a teenage boy. Conradt also had a phone conversation with a decoy.

You’ll see how we figured out the person on the other end of the chat is actually Conradt.

He never showed up at our house in Murphy, but in Texas you don’t have to show up to be charged with a felony. The online solicitation is enough to get a warrant. And that’s exactly what the Murphy police did.

Instead of facing the charges, Conradt chose to take his own life. It is a scenario that stunned everyone there. Precisely why Conradt chose to kill himself, we’ll likely never know. We do know this: He didn’t want anybody to see what he left behind on his home computer. Police say he put so many locks that local forensics investigators couldn’t recover the information. The computers have now been sent to the manufacturer to defeat the locks.

I’ll keep you posted.

'To Catch a Predator' airs tonight, Tuesday, 8 p.m. on NBC.

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Comments

I'm a mother of 2 teenagers, and just can't believe the perverts that rome freely. I've read some of the comments people have left, and was floored to see that anyone would begin to defend these monsters. It's sad enough that there are 13-14 year old children even having these conversations or wanting to have sex, there is obviously something wrong there already, but then these wacko's out there, take advantage of it. What loosers, that you dont' feel man enough on your own, that you have to violate a child.It turns my stomach to think about all the perverts that aren't caught. I live in the St Louis area, and would love to help in anyway, if Dateline ever hits this area.

Beth Morgan Millstadt, IL (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 12:52 PM)

It's amazing how much of this problem is going on around the country. A lot of our PC Tattletale customers watch what their kids are chatting about online. Many times they can stop bad things from happening. We get emails every day from customers thanking us for saving their kids lives.

Bryan C. Fleming, Detroit MI (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 1:07 PM)

I have been watching these and I am TOTALLY stunned! Words cannot describe how shocked I am. I only hope that law enforcement agencies all over the country will allow this type of sting to continue. We need todraw these PREDATORS out and expose them for whatthey are. I am all for due process and punishment, but at least these people will be taken off the street and hopefully will not pose a threat to any real child/children....Good Luck! Chris Hansen and crew as well as all law enforcement agencies and Perverted Justice. You are all doing society a great service.

Norrie, Newtown, PA (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 1:23 PM)

these people discust me and if anyone ever did this to someone in my family it would take everything in my power not to take justice into my own hands.

Josh Ensell, Madisdon,Ohio (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 1:43 PM)

I think that it's great that NBC has decided to really embarass and humilate these men as they so deserve, but I worry that airing these shows during a primetime lineup followed by two episodes of Law and Order just might de-sensitize viewers. It's important to distinguish the awful reality of what's really out there and not allow people to just dismiss it as entertainment. There is nothing entertaining about what I have seen on these shows. I am a new mother and every time I watch one of these Dateline episodes, I want to throw my computer in the trash. I applaud the efforts of Dateline and Perverted Justice, but I don't want these shows to be treated as dumb criminal comedy.

Katie Kinard, Charleston, SC (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 1:43 PM)

We must have laws & Judges that will enforce them to get rid of this mess. These people have gone on too long without being caught, & when they are they seem to get off with just a small fine & sent out to do some more harm to our kids!!!!.....jac.

Jack C. Whitehouse, Grove City, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 1:57 PM)

I am amazed that, with all the airings of the "To Catch A Predaotor" series that there are still "perverts" out there who fall for the gimmick! What it shows isd the overwhelming popwer of the seual urge. Keep up the good work!

paul wice (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 1:58 PM)

Irealy enjoy your articles, I try towatch them when ever I can . Keep up the good work . Paul Surette I hope living in Canada won't be a hinderance for me THANK YOU

Paul Surette , Nanaimo , B.C. Canada (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 2:08 PM)

If you know any of these disgusting freaks personally, please keep in mind that they are ALONE in their perversions, not their family. Do not turn your back on the families of these guys, please offer the family support and companionship. Their embarrassment and suffering must be intense -- can you imagine being a 12-year-old and not only suffer the shock and humiliation finding out that your dad is a deviant but also know that the whole world found out at the same time? Then you get to go to school the next day.....

Kathryn Paine, Norman, OK (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 2:21 PM)

I am amazed that men never learn. It scares me knowing that our children are potential prey to such perverts. I hope they come to my hometown soon in Oklahoma City. We have a local guy who wages a similar war against the many young street prostitutes in our area at JohnTV.com. I bet the same kind of men are the ones who try to have sex with teens online. Go get'm Dateline and Perverted Justice!

Darren C., OKC, OK (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 2:22 PM)

Sorry to say that I'm glad there's one less pedophile in the world. How many girls are now safe because he is gone. He will answer to God as we all do. I feel for his family though. I just don't understand how a woman cannot know her husband has these sexual perversions. It's not a wife's job to monitor the activities, but certainly they must have some clue. Especially if the husband is online continuously. I have to say that I know my spouse completely and would know if their demeanor, habits or sexual appetite changed. You live with the person 24/7. I mean, your husband doesn't just jump in a car and take a 3-hour drive everyday. Right? With that said, we also need to watch our children closely. No computers in the bedroom. Be aware and keep them safe. God bless all of us.

Laura, Krum, TX (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:16 PM)

thank-you dateline and Chris Hansen for making our world safer from these mental ill perverts, because it is not sane to have sex with a child so these men must be mental ill. I have children but after being made aware of the danger I no longer have internet.

Irene meraz Banning Calif. (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:18 PM)

Thank you Dateline and all the other law enforcement agencies who are taking these perverts off the streets. I have three children and since I've been watching these episodes, I am more aware of what can happen to kids and talk to my kids about it all the time. Keep up the great work and please don't ever stop. I would like to see local law enforcements do something like this so we can catch more because you are doing what you can but its hard for you to do it all. Thanks again and I'll be watching again tonight.

Cindy, Grand Rapids, MI (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:22 PM)

I hope that Dateline doesn't feel any remorse over Conradt taking his own life. By doing so, there is one less predator out there and a bunch of tax dollars saved.

Steve K., Phoenix, AZ (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:23 PM)

I've met pervs, and I can tell you one thing about them - they want to be accepted, and for people to come to see them as OK somehow. We CANNOT tolerate this. They are not OK and we can't accept their behavior. There is no excuse for it - if they have feelings for minors, they should seek help before they act upon their urges. PERIOD.

Marta, Colorado (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:29 PM)

First, let me say that I applaud the efforts you are undertaking to catch these disgusting people. My wife and I have two children; a son age 5, and a daughter age 1. We have talked many times about our fears of having anyone harm them in any way. I wish you would come to our neck of the woods to help us remove these creeps from our city. Second, my wife and I created a website to develop funding for children's charities. The title of the website is "Children Make Every Shop Important". All of the money raised from the website (less $12.70 per month) is donated equally to any children's charity designated as a 501(c)3 that wants to participate. Perhaps you can help us make this work in two ways for children - 1) help get the creeps off the street, and 2) help us grow this fundraising opportunity for children's charities? Dateline can even audit us at anytime! Thank you again for what you do to help protect our kids.

Paul Gustafson, Commerce Township, Michigan (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:35 PM)

Thank you! It is about time somebody did something to protect children! Hopefully this will continue & more will be caught/recognized for the sick individuals they are! The damage that is inflicted by a child molester is permanant so prevention is key!

Julie O'Rourke (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:35 PM)

Sorry to hear that this man chose to take his own life rather than face the consequences of his perverted actions leaving his family "to go it alone". Sad to say he has not escaped punishment, he is getting what he deserves but his family left behind will live with this for a long time to come. Are there any support groups out there to help?

May McCormick (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:36 PM)

It is very sad that so many men go out there, knowing that what they are doing is wrong. It is also a coward who takes his own life instead of owning up to what he did and facing the consequences of his actions. I guess what I'm wanting to know is why there are so many predators out there and why they think it is okay to go after girls and boys alike who are so young.

Cherise, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:37 PM)

Sad to say this man took the cowardly way out and has left his family to bear the consequences, he is getting his punishment but are there any support groups out there to help the families of these perverts???

May McCormick, Denver,Colorado (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:41 PM)

I can't believe that there are still people watching your show when you keep showing Internet predators over and over again. The first couple of times it was interesting to see the perverts caught with a hidden camera, but now it's just BORING. Obviously, this is good work for the police to be doing, but not at all interesting television. Did Dateline fire all its writers?? Let's see some new show ideas. Quit coasting!

Greg, Frankfort, IL (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:45 PM)

DATELINE, PLEASE COME TO ALABAMA! we are in dire need of ridding our state of these horrible child predators. as a victim myself, i hate to know that other children are going through what i went through. this MUST stop. we cannot feel sorry for the man who took his own life, he was in the wrong and does not deserve our sympathy. our sympathy should lie with the young victims.

Jana W., Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:48 PM)

I came pretty close to buying my 12 year old a laptop for school last Christmas. A timely "To Catch a Predator" episode save me about $1000. He uses the family computer in a public area, and his schooling has not suffered. Parents are the key!

James King (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 3:54 PM)

To Greg from Frankfort, IL who says that Dateline needs to move on to something else because "To Catch a Predator" is borning now and not interesting...I think that's the stupidest thing i've ever heard. i realize that everyone has the right to their own opinion, but how can catching sexual predators not be interesting? i sure would like to know if someone i knew was doing this kind of stuff. it catches normal, everyday men (and women) that you think would never, and could never, be this way. it gives me pleasure to see these sick individuals getting exactly what they deserve. it makes me wonder if you have children.

Allison, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:08 PM)

Peverted Justice is the real world. I watch it as much as I can. People with outstanding and high positions in their jobs still take time to take advantage of children.Working with children and seeing the hurt that many do not know or care about is a shame. Those who think this show is boring I surly hope that you don't have children that someone would take advantage of.CHRIS AND STAFF KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! I HOPE THAT YOU RECEIVE AN ACADEMY AWARD FOR THIS WORK, YOU DESERVE IT.

PAT GLASTER, San Diego, CA (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:09 PM)

I started watching this show a while back. It is awful thinking about what our society has become. Men from all walks of life in that much distress to be taking a young girls future and dreams and smashing it like a window of glass. I hope that you bring your show to Pennsylvania so we can get rid of our predators as well. My family and Co-Workers applaud all of your efforts in hopes of better sentencing and getting these men off the streets. God Bless you Date Line.

Benjamin L. Kraft Warren, Pa (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:10 PM)

You guys are doing a great public service with your show! I truly believe that the public exposure that these creeps get is the worst punishment they can imagine. I hope every pervert in the country is looking over his shoulder every moment of the day. It's just a shame that, if they can't control their actions, they don't kill themselves BEFORE they harm children.

George Willis, Redondo Beach, CA (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:12 PM)

Wow. This is total mob mentality here. What a bunch of blood-thirsty scum you are all. To be happy that a man killed himself? Obviously he was into some pretty sick stuff. HOWEVER, it's like this thread gives you all a forum in which to judge. What it looks like to me is that YOU all are plenty perverted yourselves. Take a look at what you're doing....sitting around and talking about children and sex. It's obvious that you are all very very intrigued about children and sex. This way you get to pretend that you're all so shocked and appalled, but it's clear that your interest is piqued by the ideas of kids and sex. You're all incredibly transparent. I'll bet you're gonna be glued to the set tonight! Does it turn you pervs on?

Scott, Buffalo, NY (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:12 PM)

The series and it's people should be ashamed for what they did to this man. While his actions were wrong and deserved punishment, I dont believe that acting as a promiscuous teenager is a legitimate form of policing. Your just as sick as they men you are trying to entrap.

James Wright (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:19 PM)

I agree that they need to move on-these guys all say the same things, and now it is just drawing viewers who want to see trainwrecks. While the work is good, the TV is not. Apparently even the predators who see it are not turned away, so keep up the good work but get it off our TVs.

Richard, Lubbock, Texas (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:20 PM)

The basis of show is interesting and a true public service even though it borders on entrapment. It is the arrogant way in which this idiot reporter goes about it. There is no objectivity to it; he interviews these guys with a certain sense of self gratification instead of looking for the facts. He has to throw his self-righteous two cents in. To me it is piss poor tabloid journalism and the American public eats it up. I know these men have bad intent on their mind but to public humiliate and physically assault these poor sods to make an arrest and for ratings are so “Scarlet Letter”. Maybe with part of the punishment they must be made to wear a scarlet “P” on their clothes. We have a justice system and yes it is public, but to make entertainment of another person’s misery and bad judgment is really indicative of a poor society.

JP (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:23 PM)

My only question is, "Why don't the police just shoot them as they leave the house?" Would make for better TV and would solve the problem all together.

S Quartz, St. Louis Mo (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:26 PM)

Hey at least nobody degraded these people by being "glad there's one less pedophile in the world" since it's a MENTAL ILLNESS. YOU YOURSELVES ARE PERVERTS IF YOU THINK THIS. Alas, I have a plan to get the pedophiles out of Christian America: HEY ALL YOU PEDOPHILES, GO TO CANADA! AGE OF CONSENT IS 14 YEARS OLD! OR BETTER YET, IN SPAIN IT'S 12! There that solves all your problems.

My Name's Anonymous (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:29 PM)

I've watched this a few times. It surprises me about how large of a problem this is. Dateline, good work! I hope to see more of the perverts caught. It also makes me think that perhaps I should use my degrees(computer science and administration of justice) even more to writing software that can help parents monitor their childrens activities online.

Daniel Rucker (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:33 PM)

I am a mother of 4 kids and to know that there are sick perverts out there preying on our kids, something must be done to stop them.This is the next generation of doctors, lawyers and policemens/womens and we need to do everything possible to let them be raised in a safe envoirement..thank god someone is trying to stop them even if its just one, at least it'll save someones family. We as society must band together and protect our next generation...

maria moya, bronx,New York (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:35 PM)

That Perverted-Justice and local law officials across the country are arresting these predators is laudable and the first few broadcasts were eye-opening but "TCAP" has become bread and circuses for the masses. The fact that these offenders are everyday folks, clergy, professionals, teachers, bakers and candlestick-makers and not leering goons in public park bushes begs the question why is this deviancy so prevalent? Has it always been this way and this national TV program is just bringing to light or is there a societal factor? What’s behind the boogey-man? The internet? And don’t be coy about the suicide, Hansen. Precisely why Conradt chose to kill himself, we’ll likely never know? Come on. I hope your audience doesn’t next sink to rejoicing in spilt blood. A death, even that of a pervert is a victory for no one.

L. Peterson, Orange Park, Florida (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:37 PM)

Obviously there are a lot of dysfuctional grown men in our country. I wonder where that stems from...Could it possibly be because our country, our families and our value systems are dysfunctional?

Dino Crawley, Anchorage Alaska (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:40 PM)

The problem is that we have state elected officials and judges who refuse to make crimes such as this punishable with extreme consequences. In NY state, for example, the online chats that in Texas are arrestable would be almost the same as a parking ticket and no jail time or jail time less than a year would apply. The same problems exist with those who are listed as sexual offenders in NY state where there is very little to protect and warn people when these offenders move into their areas and the how addresses are verified, use of computers, or the entictement of children is very very weak. Until laws change these types of people will continue to plague our society.

Eric R, Staten Island, NY (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:41 PM)

I can appreciate that there is some relief that Mr. Conradt took his life, but a big question remains: Why did he solicit a child in the first place? One of the reasons for "light" sentences imposed on some predators is to learn about the cause of their "illness" and use that as a preventative for further abuses. Sentences are meant to punish the guilty, but they do little to cure the cause of the offense. Mr. Conradt has eliminated the opportunity to learn how someone in his position would revert to such an act, and that is almost as bad as his deviance or the end of his life.

John Mason, Decatur, IL (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:42 PM)

to Greg from Frankfort, how dare you even think that its boring??Change the channel..Suppose that was your child that a pervert was visiting while you was out or working? Wouldn't you want someone to save their life??You just dont know how important these shows are..we need more shows like these especially on the weekends..

maria moya, bronx,New York (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:42 PM)

I'm happy that there are people out there that still care about our children. The Dateline crew deserves great recognition for their OUTSTANDING work to catch these SICK individuals. Being a parent, I watch this show faithfully and I hope that ALL parents do. It goes to show you that it's not always the other kids you have to worry about, but the adults preying on the kids.

Ms Trevor Edmond, Charlotte, NC (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:42 PM)

I am a pastor in Spring, TX. I performed the funeral of a friend of mine who was 35, married with small kids. He took his own life after being caught up in the local NBC affiliate's version of TCAP. It continues to be a tragic story with so few clear answers. Sexual addiction is a huge problem whose cure goes way beyond your partnership with law enforcement in catching these guys who are obviously not well.

John Wayland, Spring, Texas (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:44 PM)

My husband is the assistant DA that wrote the bill in Texas making online solicitation a felony and requiring those convicted to register as sex offenders. Before the law was changed police and prosecutors were faced with stopping the predator before he harmed a child but then not being able to charge him with a felony. It never fails to amaze me at how many child sexual assault/pornography cases he handles. We live in a college town that is still a small town in many ways and the alleged (because not all have been convicted at this time) predators include college students and an adminstrator, an elementary school teacher and high school teacher. As the parent of a 4 year old daughter its frightening to know what is out there but on the other hand at least we can take steps to protect her. I'm sure she will hate us for not letting her have a computer in her room and for asking so many questions but protecting her is worth it.

Jean, College Station, TX (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:48 PM)

You don't know why he took his own life? What a stupid thing to say! The local law calling chat a felony when identities are uncertain is overly convenient for your entrapment stings. How many times are these predators actually presented with these welcoming responses in the chat rooms I wonder - probably very rarely, if ever.

John Lamarsh (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:54 PM)

I would love to come work for you and help catch the creeps that do this to our children.I feel no sympathy for the so called man who took his own life,I feel it is what he deserves anyway.

chastity newark ohio (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:56 PM)

It is interesting that all you out there defending these sick excuses for men, are men yourselves. Why don't you just take your self-righteousness elsewhere. These men deserve everything they get. It is noone's fault the SOB killed himself. He was a coward---plain and simple.

C. Clapp, Pt. Pleasant, NJ (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:57 PM)

I can't believe that some of you actually find what Dateline and Perverted Justice are doing is wrong/boring. Do you have children? The few of you ignorant enough to say such things seem as if this 1 hour a week episode is just really eating at your time, when you could be sitting back laughing it up watching something more comical. I am 20 years old. I don't have children. I'm still young myself... but this show shines a whole new light on my internet use. The men and women associated with Dateline and Perverted Justice should be proud of themselves from saving so many potential victims of sexual abuse. I'm sorry you feel it's not worth your time to watch, but instead of trying to make it seem like the effort they're making to protect your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews etc. isn't worth it, just change the channel and shut up. As far as I'm concerned... they're doing this all on your behalf, as well as mine, my/your family(s), my/your friends and my/your neighbors... THE ENTIRE COUNTRY... out of the kindness of their hearts. Have a little respect. I don't think saying "Thank You" is too much to offer, considering they could be sparing the life of someone you love. So that having been said, Thank you Dateline, Perverted Justice, and Chris Hansen.

Ashley G., New Jersey (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 4:58 PM)

I've read all of the other emails and I can't add anything more about these disgusting monsters. I will say KUDOS to Dateline and to you Chris Hansen for taking on these perverts and bring them to justice, keep up the good work as long as you can!

Gilbert Gonzalez, Van Nuys, California (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 5:02 PM)

Scott from Buffalo........GROW UP! We aren't talking about kids and sex we are talking about ways to prevent our children from being raped or killed by a predator. Did anyone on any of these comments even remotely talk about having sex with a child? None that I read. I have custody of 4 little girls and have and will do everything in my power to protect them even if the laws don't or can't. Unfornuately we live in a society where once a child predator is made known, they can still live wherever they choose. There are no boundaries on them. There are several in Las Vegas that live just 1 or 2 blocks from elementary schools. They should be forced to live in senior areas or sent to a remote island ALONE so as not to act on their obviously uncontrollable urges. Yes it is a disease or is it just a perversion? Who knows, but all of these guys know going in that it is wrong. They are mostly well educated and have worked law enforcement or with children, has that stopped them? Our society needs help and we need to learn that our children are our future and if we don't protect them now, how do you think they will act once they are our age? Good job, Dateline.

Susan H, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 5:06 PM)

Joh wayland is a preacher who obviously has a very "liberal" way of looking at sexual predators. and you know i'm not shocled in today's day and age that a pastor is not hardlined against sexual deviants and considers it an addiction and someone who "isn't well." I hope your congregation sees you take up for a FRIEND OF YOURS who was bold enough to solicit and child and yet reacted cowardly enough not to accept the consequences.

Hunter, Jacksonville Fl. (Sent Tuesday, February 20, 2007 5:10 PM)



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