Thomas William Rigterink was the adopted son of two Polk Community College professors, James and Nancy Rigterink. Before his arrest, he appeared to be living a model life—literally. He had worked for a prestigious Miami Beach modeling agency and was one semester away from earning a biology degree at Warner Southern College.

Family members and friends described him as a kind, caring, and peaceful person. He participated in plays with his cousins, played baseball and soccer, went on family camping trips, and was known for helping turtles cross the street. His parents and loved ones were shocked when the truth emerged.

However, behind this facade, Rigterink was living a "double life" in a violent drug culture. He admitted to experimenting with drugs, using marijuana regularly, and even growing some for a time in the attic of his condo. Prosecutors noted that he had been fired from his job for stealing and had recently separated from his wife.