Naman Shrestha
CBS’ ’48 Hours: The Mother I Wish I Knew’ chronicles the tragic killing of Deborah “Debe” Atrops in Washington County, Oregon, in late 1988. Despite the investigators’ best efforts, they were unable to get to the bottom of it. However, with the advent of technology, more than three decades later, the reinvestigation of the case led the detectives to Debe’s estranged husband, Robert “Bob” Atrops. Although his daughter believed in his innocence, he was eventually brought to justice for his crimes. All the intricate details about the case and the decades-long investigation that followed are explored in the documentary.
Robert “Bob” Atrops Was Taken Into Custody For His Estranged Wife’s Murder Three Decades Later
Born in November 1954, Robert “Bob” Elmer Atrops met with Deborah “Debe” Lee Phillips and formed a romantic connection in the 1980s. After dating for a while, the couple exchanged vows and made their relationship official in the eyes of the law on June 6, 1987, in Sherwood, Oregon, surrounded by their loved ones. Soon, they adopted an infant daughter, Rhianna Stephens, and raised her in their Sherwood residence. According to reports, Bob began physically abusing Debe in the following months, leading to the deterioration of their marriage. As their relationship crumbled, they decided to get separated about a year and a half later. While Debe lived in an apartment in Salem, Bob stayed in the Sherwood residence. They reportedly took turns when it came to the custody of their daughter.
When he learned that his estranged wife was dating her coworker, John Pearson, he allegedly confronted her about the same in a way that made Debe fear for her life. On the fateful evening of November 29, 1988, Debe was supposed to pick Rhianna up from Bob’s place after her salon appointment in Tigard, Oregon. When she didn’t reach his house by 9:30 pm, he reported her missing. When the authorities interviewed him, he claimed that he had called her family and friends from his home phone to check if they knew of her whereabouts. However, upon checking the phone records, the detectives couldn’t find any record of the alleged calls. Despite his weak alibi, the authorities couldn’t arrest him due to a lack of evidence.
Since no other suspects could be identified, the case went cold for more than three decades. Meanwhile, Bob was busy raising his daughter, Rhianna. He eventually got into a relationship with a woman named Kim, whom he later married. However, his life turned upside down when the cold murder case of Debe Atrops was reopened in 2020. Thanks to the advanced DNA and forensics technology, the detectives managed to link the evidence they had collected from the crime scene to Bob. The investigators also found out that Bob had sold roofing materials at construction sites in the area where Debe’s car and remains were found. Thus, armed with enough evidence against him, the authorities arrested him at his Newberg residence on March 23, 2023.
Bob Atrops is Currently Incarcerated at an Oregon Prison Facility
Nearly two years after his arrest, on March 18, 2025, Robert “Bob” Atrops stood trial for the murder of Deborah “Debe” Atrops. During the weeks-long trial, the prosecution presented all the pieces of forensic evidence against him. Meanwhile, the defense argued that the defendant was innocent and there was no direct link between him and the crime. In the end, the jury deliberated for about six hours before reaching a verdict. Thus, on April 17, 2025, Bob Atrops was convicted of second-degree murder in connection with Debe’s 1988 killing.
His sentencing hearing took place on July 8, 2025. His daughter, Rhianna Stephens, took the stand and defended him. She stated, “When I was 8 months old, someone robbed me of having a life with my mom. There was no one to support me for every milestone — my first birthday, kindergarten graduation, 8th grade promotion, high school graduation, my wedding…He was the one in the crowd when I looked up nervously from the volleyball court. He was the one holding my hand when I felt lost.” Ultimately, he was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. As of today, the 71-year-old killer is serving his time at Snake River Correctional Institution in eastern Oregon.
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