The 'Pied Piper Of Tucson' Charles Schmid's Alleged Motive For Murdering Alleen Rowe

One motive, according to Time Magazine, may have been that Rowe had previously stood Saunders up for a date. The crime was Schmid's idea, however, and Saunders may have participated in it simply because of Schmid's strong influence on him. Saunders was a troubled, bullied teen. Life Magazine described Schmid as a magnet for young,

One motive, according to Time Magazine, may have been that Rowe had previously stood Saunders up for a date. The crime was Schmid's idea, however, and Saunders may have participated in it simply because of Schmid's strong influence on him. Saunders was a troubled, bullied teen. Life Magazine described Schmid as a magnet for young, bored, lonely teenagers, many of whom were social outsiders. They were drawn in by his unusual personality, his seeming "maturity," his nice cars, his parties, and his endless stream of money from his parents.

French, whom Rowe had considered a friend, undoubtedly participated because she was "fantastically in love with [Schmid]," (via Life Magazine). French, who was not considered pretty or bright, was a prime target for Schmid's attention, and she stood by him even though he dated other girls. French and Saunders did, however, immediately confess to their roles in the murder after their arrests.

Rowe, for her part, found Schmid "creepy." He had an unusual appearance that he cultivated carefully. Wanting to look like Elvis Presley, he dyed his hair black and darkened his skin. He painted a mole on his face and stuffed his shoes with rags and cans so he'd seem taller than he was — despite the fact that he could barely walk this way (via Life Magazine).

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