He weighed 42 pounds when he died -- less than two-thirds of what he had weighed just two years earlier. His parents reported him missing. Police found him hidden in their own basement.
The Discovery
In January 2020, Roman Anthony Lopez, 11, was reported missing by his father, Jordan Piper, and stepmother, Lindsay Piper, in El Dorado County, California. Volunteers searched the community of Placerville throughout the day. That night, investigators found Roman's body hidden in a storage bin in the family's basement.
Severe Abuse
An autopsy determined Roman had been severely malnourished and dehydrated, weighing just 42 pounds at death compared to 61 pounds recorded at a medical visit two years earlier -- the last time he had seen a doctor. Investigators found evidence he had been beaten and restrained to his bed with zip ties at night in addition to being intentionally starved.
Charges and Pleas
Both Jordan and Lindsay Piper were initially charged with torture and child abuse, and were later charged with Roman's murder. Both initially pleaded not guilty. In May 2022, Lindsay Piper changed her plea to no contest on one count of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. Jordan Piper later changed his plea to guilty as well, with sentencing on the murder charge to follow.
A Related Federal Case
During the murder investigation, officers seized digital devices from the Piper household and, in the course of that separate review, uncovered evidence leading to a federal child sexual exploitation charge against Jordan Piper. He was sentenced to 15 years in that unrelated federal case shortly before changing his plea in Roman's murder case. We are not detailing the contents of that federal case further.
A Prosecutor's Statement
El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson called the abuse "absolutely horrific and incomprehensible," saying that while no sentence could feel sufficient for the death of a child at a parent's hands, the convictions represented some measure of justice for Roman.
FAQ
What happened to Jordan and Lindsay Piper?
Both were convicted of second-degree murder in Roman's death. Lindsay was sentenced to 15 years to life; Jordan's sentencing followed his guilty plea.
How much did Roman weigh when he died?
42 pounds, down from 61 pounds recorded at a medical visit two years earlier.
Was Jordan Piper facing any other charges?
Yes, an unrelated federal child sexual exploitation charge, discovered during the murder investigation, for which he received a separate 15-year sentence.