Roommate Murder Investigation at California Care Home

Thomas Buckley, a 58-year-old resident of the Silverado memory care facility in Thousand Oaks, has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his 72-year-old roommate, Michael Patterson. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office responded to a call on November 1, 2024, at approximately 4:40 a.m. about an agitated resident who had broken a window. Upon arrival, deputies detained Buckley while staff discovered Patterson with severe injuries in their shared room. Patterson was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders, and his death is being investigated as a homicide. Buckley, who also assaulted a facility worker, has been charged with murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and vandalism, and he is being held on a $2 million bail pending his arraignment. Authorities are seeking further information from the public as the investigation continues.