A Friend, A Betrayal, A Murder: The Tim Todd Case and Bill Pagano’s Final Move
Tim Todd had it all—or so it seemed. A loving family. A booming gym business. A respected role in law enforcement. But in 1990, everything unraveled when he was gunned down in a garage. And the person behind the trigger? His former boss. A man he once trusted. Bill Pagano.
This isn’t just a crime story. It’s a gut-punch about broken trust, power gone wrong, and a town stunned. Let’s walk through what happened—step by step.
Who Was Tim Todd?
Born in 1956, Tim Todd was the youngest of five. At 15, he lost his dad, so he turned to bodybuilding. It became his outlet and his purpose. People knew him for his strength, but even more for his easy smile.
He married his high school sweetheart, Patricia, and they had two kids—Mark Adam and Angie. Life looked solid. He worked in the Festus Police Department, co-founded a private security firm with Bill Pagano, and later opened his dream gym: Mid-America Health and Racquetball Club.
On the outside? Picture perfect. On the inside? No one saw what was coming.
A Shocking Day In March
March 26, 1990. Tim Todd was found shot twice in Bill Pagano’s garage.
First, on the back of the head. Then the face.
The town of Festus froze. A respected man was dead. And the killer? Not some stranger. It was Bill. Tim’s friend. His ex-boss. The man who worked side by side with him.
Bill Pagano’s Story: Self-Defense?
Bill Pagano didn’t run, he didn’t deny it, and he told the police exactly what he did.
He said Tim was having an affair with his daughter, Stephanie. Tim planned to kill his wife. He said that he came to Bill for help hiring hitmen. Bill claimed he set up a fake meeting, hoping to talk Tim out of it. That things went sideways.
That Tim got violent. So, he shot him. He even had recordings of past conversations, trying to prove his side. But something didn’t sit right.
The Evidence Told A Different Story
Let’s break it down:
- Tim was shot in the back of the head. That’s not self-defense.
- A revolver was found nearby, but with no fingerprints.
- No recording of the fatal conversation.
- A 12-year-old said she saw Tim and Bill fighting the day before the murder.
- Other witnesses said Bill was angry about the affair and tried to push Tim to marry Stephanie.
- Oh—and one more thing? A $1.5 million life insurance policy. Bill had taken it out on Tim. As the company owner, he’d benefit if Tim died.
That sealed it.
The Trial, The Verdict, And The Final Twist
In April 1990, Bill Pagano was arrested. The trial happened the following year. The outcome? Second-degree murder. Not first. He got 23 years. Tim’s family? They weren’t satisfied. They wanted more.
But here’s the twist. While out on bail, Bill kept appealing. In 1994, the court said enough—his conviction stood. Officers came to take him in. Bill asked to change clothes. He walked inside. Then pulled the trigger on himself.
No Closure, Just Pain
Bill Pagano’s suicide ended everything. No appeals. No deeper investigation. No real closure.
Tim’s family was left with grief and questions. Why didn’t anyone stop this sooner? How could someone so close turn so cruel?
The justice system did its job. But peace? That’s something the court can’t give.
FAQs
Who was Tim Todd?
A police officer, gym owner, and beloved family man from Festus, Missouri.
Who killed him?
His ex-boss and friend, Bill Pagano.
Why did Bill say he did it?
He claimed Tim was planning to kill his wife, and he shot him in self-defense.
What did the evidence show? The shooting was likely planned and tied to jealousy and money.
What happened after Bill was convicted?
He stayed out on bail, and when the appeal failed in 1994, he took his own life.
Was there an affair with Stephanie Pagano?
Yes, it played a big role in the case—Bill didn’t approve, and it may have fueled his actions.
Final Words
This wasn’t just a killing. It was a betrayal that shook a small town. Tim Todd lost his life at the hands of someone he trusted. Bill Pagano used his power, his position, and his lies to cover a crime that felt personal from the start.
Even though a conviction happened, justice didn’t bring peace. Not for Tim’s family. Not for Festus. The real takeaway? Be careful who you trust because even the closest friend can hide a motive.
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