Legislation criminalizing the sexual assault of dead bodies clears the Michigan Senate

Richard Rohrer stands up in the Michigan State Senate gallery looking at lawmakers after the state Senate unanimously passed “Melody’s law” in honor of his wife on June 4, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Richard Rohrer is looking to close a loophole in Michigan law in honor of his wife, Melody, who was killed and assaulted in 2021.

“Melody’s Law” — which would specifically criminalize engaging in sexual acts with a dead body, or necrophilia, in Michigan — passed the state Senate unanimously Tuesday, as Rohrer stood in the gallery over lawmakers. He told the Advance afterwards it’s an emotional day seeing the law named for his wife move forward.

“I am just so grateful for today,” Roher told the Advance, adding that although he lives out of state, he’s not returning back home until he sees Melody’s Law come to fruition.

Law officially criminalizing necrophilia in Michigan passes Senate committee

Roher told lawmakers back in April about Melody, his soulmate and a devoted mother and grandmother to her family who spent much of her adult life working as a nurse taking care of other people.

But on Sept. 20, 2021, a man intentionally hit Melody with his car while she was on a walk, killing her. Although the prosecution at the time presented DNA evidence that the man raped Melody after her death, as well as showing that the perpetrator had searches on his phone related to necrophilia, the perpetrator was not charged with sexual assault. 

That’s because there is no criminal charge in Michigan for necrophilia regardless, but Melody’s Law looks to change that.

The bills, SBs 841, 842 and 843, which would assign criminal charges for sexual contact with a dead human body, would carry penalties of up to 15 years in prison and could land a person on the state’s sexual offender registry.

Now the bills will head to the House for approval, before being sent to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk. State Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), who sponsored the legislation, has said it’s her hope that the bills can clear the Legislature by the time lawmakers leave for summer break in July. She did not expect there to be amendments made by the House.

“Melody Roher’s murder and subsequent assault on her body was the catalyst for this package. Her husband, Rick Roher, and her family worked tirelessly to get these bills passed into law. Melody was his soulmate and the light of his life,” Klinefelt said ahead of the Senate vote.

After session, Klinefelt added that Michigan would not be closing the gap in its sexual assault laws without the courage of Melody Roher’s family. The senator added that her story was the catalyst to create a law that will offer the next family an avenue for justice — and she deserves all the credit.

Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe) speaks on the Senate floor in support of her bills which make up “Melody’s Law” on June 4, 2024. (Photo: Lucy Valeski)

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