Dateline (Image via NBC)
In a calm neighborhood in Fontana, California, an evening walk turned into an eerie mystery, thanks to questionable police tactics. It was August 7, 2018, when Thomas Perez Sr., affectionately known as ‘Papa Tom’, set out with his dog Margo to merely check the mailbox just a couple of minutes from home. But when Margo returned alone, dragging her leash, concern flooded over his son, Thomas Perez Jr.
What unfolded next sparked a series of events leading police to suspect the son was involved in foul play, cementing him as their prime suspect. Over an exhausting 17-hour interrogation session, detectives pressured Perez Jr. with false claims that his father was dead— a fact that couldn’t have been further from the truth, as Thomas Perez Sr. was blissfully unaware of the torment unfolding.
This troubling case features prominently in The Ruse, a gripping episode from NBC Dateline narrated by Lester Holt. It premiered on Friday, December 5, 2025, and you can watch it on Peacock or catch reruns on NBC’s broadcasting schedule.
What Happened to Tom Perez Sr.?
Thomas Perez Sr. was a genial, retired real estate agent residing in a modest area of Fontana alongside his son. That night, at around 9:45 p.m. on August 7, he leashed up Margo to make the brief jaunt to the mailbox. Unfortunately, he never returned.
Margo meandered back on her own, provoking a search effort from Perez Jr., who had recently moved in with his father post-divorce. His checks at various local spots yielded no signs of his dad.
By the afternoon of August 8, anxiety transformed into action as Perez Jr. reached out to the Fontana police, describing his father as 5’8”, gray-haired, and wearing glasses. He requested that officers notify him should anyone see a gentleman fitting that description.
“I just need to know if there’s an older man spotted walking around… he might be my dad,”
he calmly remarked. Police sent community service officers, who then asked some routine questions regarding their relationship—everything appeared to be normal with no arguments reported.
After taking a missing persons report, the authorities departed, only to return with detectives later. Unbeknownst to them, Thomas Perez Sr. had already gone to see his brother and a friend prior to his disappearance—his phone, forgotten back home. He was meant to board a flight from Los Angeles International Airport to visit his daughter but had no way to reach anyone.
Cadaver dogs later exhibited interest in the master bedroom, triggering alarm bells within the investigative team.
Within 24 hours, detectives obtained a search warrant, meticulously documenting the disarray of the house, and even seized Thomas Perez Sr.’s wallet and phone, taking DNA swabs from Perez Jr. Meanwhile, their search efforts escalated, extending to adjacent fields and construction sites, but unearthed nothing.
Friends and family rallied together, putting up flyers and canvassing the area to aid the search, as reported by the LA Times.
Police Interrogation Goes Awry
As evening approached on August 8, detectives Robert Miller, David Janusz, and Kyle Guthrie approached the Perez home. They invited Perez Jr. to help further the investigation at the station, under the pretense of assisting in the search efforts. He acquiesced, arriving just after 8 p.m.
What began as a simple interview turned into an all-night accusation fest. Detectives scrutinized discrepancies in Perez Jr.’s timeline, propelled by the a disarrayed household and Margo’s odd behavior.
They isolated him from personal belongings, denying him breaks to take his medications—a significant issue as Perez Jr. was dealing with bipolar disorder and withdrawing from psychiatric medications.
As the questioning continued, the detectives became increasingly accusatory: had he quarreled with his father? Where exactly was Thomas Sr.? They subjected him to an uncomfortable drive around Fontana in an unmarked vehicle, stopping at suspicious locations while implying these could be the potential burial sites. “We’re aware of what went down,” they insisted, fabricating tales about evidence they ‘found’, according to reports by People.
The pressure intensified throughout the interrogation, extending through the night into the morning, as desperate tactics led to feelings of either hopelessness or compulsion for Perez Jr. He was denied food and water, experiencing ignored pleas for legal or medical support.
Margo was brought in, with an insinuation that the dog would be impacted if Perez Jr. failed to cooperate. Meanwhile, one of Perez Jr.’s friends was urged by officers to persuade him to confess, hidden under the guise of leniency.
Though this friend visited, his access was promptly denied after the initial meeting. Officers led Perez Jr. to believe that neighbors had witnessed horrific events, and that surveillance footage existed documenting him dragging a body. This added to his trepidation—exhausted and disoriented, he steadfastly rejected any involvement, emphatically stating, “I love my dad. I would never hurt him.” Yet the interrogation tactics escalated, obscuring the line between investigative questioning and coercion, according to the LA Times.
The Unexpected Turnaround
After approximately 16 hours of relentless pressure, things reached a boiling point. Detectives confronted Perez Jr. with digitally manipulated images of a body and made dreadful prison threats. Driven to the edge, he began pulling his hair, shredded his shirt, and collapsed to the ground, sobbing incoherently:
“I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t know. I love you,” and, sounding broken, addressed his sister over the phone, “I didn’t mean to take your daddy away.”
Authorities took these emotional utterances as a confession, recording his remarks and having him sign documents to proclaim the same. After he vomited, an alarming moment saw him briefly attempt self-harm utilizing a staple remover. At this point, officers called for a 72-hour psychiatric hold, transferring him to a medical facility later that evening.
Isolated from information for the next three days, a breakthrough occurred when prior to Pérez Jr.’s release, his sister, having caught news of their missing father at LAX, initiated contact with officers:
“That’s my father; he’s alive, waiting for a flight to see me.”
While the truth came to light, detectives withheld this crucial update, ensuring Perez Jr. remained uninformed. Completely unaware and phone-less, Thomas Perez Sr. boarded his flight. Upon releasing Perez Jr. on August 12, he hurried home to reunite with his father.
Faced with the shock of realization, Perez Jr. stared at his father and whispered, “Dad, is that really you? They told me you were dead.” The elder Perez replied simply, standing in front of him, “No, I’m right here.” This devastating revelation left Perez Jr. in psychological shock, akin to watching the world desaturate.
Later, U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee condemned the extended interrogation tactics stating they bordered on psychological torture, especially given Perez Jr.’s mental health struggles. This case shedding light on the malign influence of such interrogation methods, all without any historical crime actually committed, as reported by People.
Aftermath and Ongoing Consequences
In 2019, Thomas Perez Jr. pursued a federal lawsuit against the City of Fontana, claiming false imprisonment, coercion, and violations of civil rights under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. The suit highlighted the unconstitutional behavior during the 17-hour prolonged interrogation, emphasizing sleep deprivations, the withholding of his vital medications, and deceptive practices inducing his false confession.
The court documentation included audio evidence of the forced interrogation that primarily displayed how detectives misled him regarding pieces of evidence and details concerning Margo. The city’s officials claimed their procedures followed the usual guidelines; meanwhile, civil liberties advocates raised significant concerns about these standard protocols.
An internal review of the case noted these matters but resulted in no disciplinary action against the personnel involved. In 2024, Fontana ultimately decided to settle for $898,000 without any admission of guilt, equipping Perez Jr. with resources for therapy and restoration of lost wages, as stated by People.
The intensive ordeal undoubtedly strained familial relationships. Nevertheless, Thomas Perez Sr. continued his endeavors in real estate, while Perez Jr. took strides toward healing from acute stress disorder and managing his mental health crises.
Launching his voice for interrogation reform, Perez Jr. shares his story to bring attention to the specific risks facing those with mental illnesses. Presently, both he and his father keep a low profile here in California; while Perez Jr. rebuilds his life with fresh opportunities and a supportive network, according to the LA Times.
Remember to catch the Dateline episode The Ruse, available on NBC.
