Who is Anthony Templet?
Anthony Templet is the individual at the center of the true‑crime story covered in the documentary I Just Killed My Dad, a three‑part series that explores a dark and complicated history of abuse, neglect, and ultimately tragedy.
Born around 2001, Anthony came to national attention in 2019 when, at age 17, he fatally shot his father, Burt Templet.
The Backstory: Abuse, Isolation, and Kidnapping Allegations
According to the documentary and subsequent reporting, Anthony’s childhood was far from ordinary. His biological mother, Teresa Thompson, says that Burt Templet took Anthony from her when he was about five years old under the guise of temporary custody and never returned him.
What followed was a life marked by isolation: Anthony was reportedly denied a proper education, barred from seeing doctors or dentists, kept from interacting with peers, and constantly monitored via surveillance and tracking devices inside the family home.
Anthony’s stepmother also reportedly tried to teach him basic reading and writing when he was about ten, but it was already too late to properly integrate him into a normal schooling system.
According to Anthony and people interviewed in the documentary, his father was physically and emotionally abusive: there were repeated instances of violence, intimidation, and control.
By the summer of 2019, his father’s anger, paranoia, and substance abuse had intensified, and Anthony had become the only person left living with him.
The Fatal Night: June 3, 2019
On the night of June 3, 2019, things came to a tragic head. According to what Anthony later told the 911 operator, a heated argument broke out after his father confronted him about his phone, accusing him of secretly contacting his father’s ex‑wife.
Anthony claimed that his father was drunk and tried to physically assault him. In fear for his life, he locked himself in a bedroom, retrieved two guns, and when his father attempted to break in, Anthony fired, ultimately shooting him multiple times.
After firing, he called 911. In a now‑infamous call, he calmly said, “I just killed my dad.” His father, Burt, initially survived and was hospitalized, but died a few days later after being removed from life support.
Legal Outcome: Plea Deal & Probation
After his arrest, Anthony was initially charged with second‑degree murder.
However, following the revelations of the abuse and neglect he had endured and testimony from his stepmother, biological mother, and others, prosecutors accepted a plea deal. On March 1, 2021, Anthony pleaded no contest to a charge of negligent homicide.
Rather than prison, Anthony was sentenced to five years of supervised probation, with credit for time already served. As part of the deal, he was required to obtain his GED (high school equivalency), attend regular counseling, and either maintain employment or remain enrolled in school.
Prosecutors argued that prison would have harmed Anthony more than helped, given his lack of education, socialization, or prior opportunity for a normal childhood.
Where Is Anthony Templet Now?
Since the plea deal, Anthony has reportedly tried to rebuild his life as quietly as possible. He has reconnected, if tenuously, with his biological mother and grandmother.
According to recent reporting, he has had setbacks: in July 2025, he was arrested over charges including illegal window tint, presence of drugs, and alleged contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
So, as of late 2025, Anthony is again in jail, a development that complicates what once seemed a chance at rehabilitation and a second life.
Why the Story Matters
The case of Anthony Templet draws attention to broader issues: long‑term child abuse, parental kidnapping under the guise of custody, systemic failures to protect vulnerable children, and the psychological aftermath of extreme neglect. The documentary doesn’t just sensationalize the crime it casts light on a tragic example of a child slipping through the cracks of family and justice systems.
It raises critical questions: What responsibility do courts and child‑welfare services hold when a child disappears under a parent’s control? How do we assess culpability when someone kills an abuser — and is that ever justifiable? What support systems exist for survivors who have been socially and academically isolated their entire lives?
Final Thoughts
Anthony Templet life story is harrowing, heartbreaking, and complex. That a teenager denied a normal childhood, education, and friends ended up in such violence may be tragic, but perhaps inevitable under years of isolation and abuse. The killing of his father is shocking; the context around it is perhaps even more unsettling.
Yet, despite the crime, many view him not simply as a perpetrator but as a victim, someone whose life was shaped by trauma, control, and deprivation. Whether one agrees with the court’s decision or not, the story forces us to look deeper: at cycles of abuse, psychological damage, and systemic neglect.
As events continue to unfold, especially with the recent 2025 arrest, Anthony’s future remains uncertain. But his story stands as a stark reminder: sometimes justice isn’t just about punishment, it’s about understanding, healing, and safeguarding the vulnerable.
FAQs:
1. Who is Anthony Templet?
Anthony Templet is a young man who gained national attention for fatally shooting his father in 2019 after years of alleged abuse and isolation.
2. Why did Anthony Templet kill his father?
Anthony claimed self-defense, stating his father was abusive, intoxicated, and physically threatening him during the fatal confrontation.
3. What was the legal outcome for Anthony Templet?
He pleaded no contest to negligent homicide and was sentenced to five years of supervised probation, along with counseling and GED requirements.
4. Has Anthony Templet faced any issues since the court ruling?
Yes, in 2025, he was reportedly arrested again on charges including drug possession and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
5. Why is Anthony Templet story significant?
His case highlights the long-term effects of child abuse, parental kidnapping, and systemic failures to protect vulnerable children.
See Also: Anthony Templet Net Worth