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NARRATOR: This program is
about unsolved mysteries.
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Whenever possible, the
actual family members
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and police officials
have participated
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in recreating the events.
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What you are about to see
is not a news broadcast.
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[theme music]
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NARRATOR: In 1983, two
beautiful, young women
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on holiday from Sweden were
murdered while hitchhiking
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in California.
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The case gathered
dust until 1991
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when an anonymous phone
call sparked a renewed
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search for the unknown killer.
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As a young boy, Joe Soll
was teased by schoolmates
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because he had been adopted.
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As an adult, Joe would learn the
painful truth about his past.
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He had been bought and sold
by a notorious baby broker.
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In 1974, a successful
businessman
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named Gary Simmons
disappeared on the same day
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he paid $30,000
for a prize horse.
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No one had any idea
where he had gone
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until Gary Simmons' skeleton was
found hidden in a cave almost
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20 years later.
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Also tonight, a
fascinating update
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on a story about
legendary aviator
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Amelia Earhart who
disappeared in 1937.
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Recently, an aviation
archaeologist
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made headlines while
claiming he had
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solved the mystery of Amelia
Earhart's last flight.
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Others say he is
just plain wrong.
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Join me, for every
mystery, there
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is someone who knows the truth.
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Perhaps, it's you.
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[theme music]
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[phone ringing]
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Good afternoon,
Consulate of Sweden.
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MAN (ON PHONE): I
have some information.
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Excuse me?
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NARRATOR: On September 26,
1991, a bizarre, anonymous phone
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call came into the
Swedish Consulate
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in San Diego, California.
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MAN (ON PHONE): It's
about two hitchhikers.
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Two hitchhikers?
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MAN (ON PHONE): Yes,
two Swedish girls.
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NARRATOR: The caller went on
to describe a double murder.
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MAN (ON PHONE): I
think he was Canadian.
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NARRATOR: Incredibly, a double
murder that had taken place
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a full eight years
earlier, this was
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a first solid lead since 1983.
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It all began on July 24th of
that year behind a gas station
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in the city of Commerce,
a Los Angeles suburb.
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SGT. BRUCE CORRELL: A station
attendant went to dump trash.
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He looked inside the dumpster
and saw a couple of backpacks.
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Checking further, he
found clothing, diaries.
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There were rolls of
film, passports, wallets,
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many of the things that
you would expect tourists
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to have collected in
a several-month tour
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of the United States.
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NARRATOR: The items
in the dumpster
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belonged to two Swedish
nationals, Marie Lilienburg,
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23, and Maria Wahien, 25.
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They had failed to show
up for their return flight
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to Sweden that day.
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The fathers of both
women came to California
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hoping to find their
daughters by means
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of widespread media attention.
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We're extremely worried.
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I'll tell you that.
They have never--
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NARRATOR: During the
next three weeks,
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more than 50 sightings of Maria
Wahien and Marie Lilienburg
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were reported.
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All were checked out, but none
of them could be confirmed.
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That's not the nature of
my daughter, absolutely.
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I'll tell you that.
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She is the one who will
stick to every promise made.
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That's her nature.
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Hey, hang on.
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What is that?
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I don't know.
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Let's go find out.
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NARRATOR: Then on August 18th,
1983, in Santa Barbara County,
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California, a
missing persons case
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became a murder investigation.
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SGT. BRUCE CORRELL:
Two deer hunters
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noticed a skeletonized arm.
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Probably a coyote had pulled
one of the arms off and drug it
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out into the open.
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Checking further, they
found other remains
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hidden under brush there.
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Those remains were positively
identified as being Marie
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Lilienburg and Maria Wahien.
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NARRATOR: An autopsy
showed that both women
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had been stabbed to death as
well as sexually assaulted.
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Sheriff's detectives learned
that the two young women had
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met in January of
1983 at a Resort
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Hotel in Vail,
Colorado, where they
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both worked as chambermaids.
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[speaking swedish]
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NARRATOR: When the
ski season ended,
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they decided to hitchhike
around California--
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We're going to California.
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NARRATOR: --before heading
back home to Sweden.
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Oh, great.
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MARIE LILIENBURG:
Hi, how are you?
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DRIVER: How you doing?
MARIE LILIENBURG: Fine.
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DRIVER: Where you going?
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MARIE LILIENBURG:
We're just touring.
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We just want to see the coast.
DRIVER: Well, hop in.
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Let's go.
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SGT. BRUCE CORRELL: Marie
Lilienburg and Maria Wahien
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thought that it was
safe to hitchhike.
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They had been cautioned
by Swedish friends
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and by Americans that it
was not safe to hitchhike.
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But they felt that they
would be able to size
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up persons giving them a ride.
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They would be able to
sense whether this was
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a dangerous situation or not.
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Maria Wahien carried a
small knife with her,
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and she felt that she
would be able to defend
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herself in any
type of a situation
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where she was threatened.
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Young Swedes come
to the United States
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from a culture which is entirely
homogeneous and middle class.
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There are only 8 million
people in Sweden.
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It is a more open and, if
you will, a more trusting
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environment.
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They, therefore, tend to
come to the United States
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and remain as trusting
as they were in Sweden.
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So sometimes they
do run into trouble.
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DRIVER: How you girls doing?
MARIA WAHIEN: Fine, how are you?
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MARIE LILIENBURG: Are you
going to San Francisco?
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DRIVER: I can take you
about half way there.
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Is that cool?
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Great.
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NARRATOR: When the gas station
attendant found the knapsacks
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in the dumpster, he also
found a travel diary and two
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rolls of undeveloped film.
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Working from these photographs,
as well as a diary,
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investigators established
the women's itinerary
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and contacted several
truck drivers who had
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given Marie and Maria rides.
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MARIE LILIENBURG: Hi.
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MARK HANSON: Where
you girls going?
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MARIE LILIENBURG:
We're going to--
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NARRATOR: Mark Hanson a trucker
from San Diego, California,
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remembered them well.
- --if that'll help ya.
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OK, thanks.
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MARK HANSON: Hop in.
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MARK HANSON (VOICEOVER): A
lot of truck drivers out there
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have daughters, and if they
do see girls out hitchhiking,
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they try to take care of them.
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Talked about that they shouldn't
be hitchhiking, I, maybe being
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too much of a big
brother and a little bit
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of a lecturer on the way up
about that it wasn't safe.
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It wasn't like being in Europe,
that women didn't hitchhike
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in the United States anymore.
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And they didn't seem terribly
concerned, that they felt they
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would be safe being together.
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NARRATOR: Hanson drove the
women from San Diego to Compton,
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just south of Los Angeles--
MARK HANSON: Hey, how ya doing?
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NARRATOR: --where he
arranged another ride
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for them at a truck stop.
TRUCK DRIVER: Seattle.
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MARK HANSON: Hey, could
you use some company?
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TRUCK DRIVER: Yeah.
I can give them a ride.
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- Great.
- Oh, great.
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MARK HANSON: There you go.
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MARIA WAHIEN: You, too.
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NARRATOR: The
second truck driver
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dropped the women off in
Oakland, just across the bay
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from San Francisco.
MARK HANSON: Take care.
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MARIE LILIENBURG: Bye.
Thank you.
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MARK HANSON: You're welcome.
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NARRATOR: Maria Wahien
and Marie Lilienburg
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were last seen in
Redwood City, California,
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on July 22nd, 1983,
heading back to Los Angeles
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so they could catch their
flight to Sweden two days later.
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On the very day they
were scheduled to depart,
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their backpacks and
personal effects
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were found in the
city of Commerce.
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Four weeks later, the hunters
discovered their bodies
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near Santa Barbara.
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For eight years,
the investigation
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into the murders of Marie
Lilienburg and Maria Wahien
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remained at a standstill.
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Two hitchhikers?
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MAN (ON PHONE): Yes,
two Swedish girls.
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NARRATOR: The anonymous
phone call came
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into the Swedish Consulate.
- He was Canadian?
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MAN (ON PHONE):
Yes, he was skinny.
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And his hair--
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JOHN NORTON: He said that he
knew a fellow whom he had seen
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on a regular basis who
was from Canada who would
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come down every winter in his
van to go through San Diego
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to Mexico.
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He said that, on one
occasion in 1983,
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the man had come
through and mentioned
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that he had met two Swedish
girls who had tried to con him.
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The caller also
described the van.
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00:09:00,373 --> 00:09:03,677
He said he drove a white van
with a green canoe on the top,
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00:09:03,777 --> 00:09:06,614
and that this was
very recognizable,
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00:09:06,714 --> 00:09:08,115
and a number of people knew him.
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DRIVER: You girls need a lift?
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Yes.
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MARIA WAHIEN: We are
going to Los Angeles.
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MARIE LILIENBURG:
Los Angeles Airport.
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JOHN NORTON: He gave a
description of the man.
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00:09:14,387 --> 00:09:16,523
He said he was over
6 feet, a slight
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00:09:16,624 --> 00:09:20,560
build, 175 pounds,
thinning, red hair, long,
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00:09:20,661 --> 00:09:25,232
pointed nose,
protruding, watery eyes.
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I don't believe that
the call was a hoax.
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You'll have to
squeeze in here.
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There's not a lot of room.
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My regret is
that the caller was
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unwilling to identify himself.
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If he would step forward, even
now, and call us again, even
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00:09:39,579 --> 00:09:42,650
anonymously, to provide
further information,
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it might be very helpful.
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00:09:45,318 --> 00:09:47,487
It's not only frustrating
that we have not
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00:09:47,587 --> 00:09:50,257
been able to find the persons
responsible for these slayings
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but also considering the
probability that there may be
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00:09:54,628 --> 00:09:56,697
other slayings
across the country
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that this killer is
responsible for, as well.
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00:10:01,034 --> 00:10:03,003
I think the moral
of the story is
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00:10:03,103 --> 00:10:04,938
quite simple, that
it is just very,
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very dangerous to hitchhike.
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00:10:06,874 --> 00:10:08,776
And, in the case of
women hitchhiking,
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it could very easily turn up
in this type of a situation.
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[theme music]
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NARRATOR: When we return,
an aviation expert
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believes he has solved
the mystery of Amelia
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Earhart's final flight.
231
00:10:22,255 --> 00:10:23,256
Others disagree.
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00:10:23,356 --> 00:10:25,225
[theme music]
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One of the most popular
stories we have featured
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00:10:35,502 --> 00:10:37,838
is a fascinating mystery
of legendary aviator,
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Amelia Earhart.
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Recently, she once again
made front page news.
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Life magazine even carried
an exclusive six-page spread
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00:10:46,847 --> 00:10:49,349
after aviation archaeologist,
Richard Gillespie,
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00:10:49,449 --> 00:10:51,218
announced to the
world that he had
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finally solved the mystery of
Amelia Earhart's final flight.
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00:10:56,857 --> 00:11:00,493
Six decades ago, Amelia Earhart
captured the heart and spirit
242
00:11:00,593 --> 00:11:02,629
of an entire generation.
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00:11:02,730 --> 00:11:05,598
Part All-American girl,
part daredevil, she was
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a perfect hero for her time.
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00:11:08,635 --> 00:11:09,502
[airplane motor]
246
00:11:10,938 --> 00:11:14,708
On May 20, 1937, Amelia and
her navigator, Fred Noonan,
247
00:11:14,808 --> 00:11:16,944
began a daring attempt
to circumnavigate
248
00:11:17,044 --> 00:11:21,749
the world in this twin
engine Lockheed 10 Electra.
249
00:11:21,849 --> 00:11:22,850
They never returned.
250
00:11:25,719 --> 00:11:29,222
On July 2nd, they disappeared
on route to tiny Holland
251
00:11:29,322 --> 00:11:32,259
Island in the South Pacific.
252
00:11:32,359 --> 00:11:34,928
A massive search turned
up no trace of Amelia,
253
00:11:35,028 --> 00:11:36,964
Fred, or their airplane.
254
00:11:37,064 --> 00:11:39,867
They were officially
declared lost at sea.
255
00:11:39,967 --> 00:11:43,036
But, as the years passed, rumors
surfaced that Amelia Earhart
256
00:11:43,136 --> 00:11:45,939
and Fred Noonan ended up
on the island of Saipan,
257
00:11:46,039 --> 00:11:49,877
2,500 miles from Howland Island.
258
00:11:49,977 --> 00:11:52,279
At the time of Earhart and
Noonan's disappearance,
259
00:11:52,379 --> 00:11:56,683
Saipan was occupied
by the Japanese army.
260
00:11:56,784 --> 00:12:00,854
In 1944, American forces
liberated the island.
261
00:12:00,954 --> 00:12:02,923
Among the soldiers
stationed on Saipan
262
00:12:03,023 --> 00:12:04,724
was this man, Thomas Devine.
263
00:12:04,825 --> 00:12:06,259
--on the island
264
00:12:06,359 --> 00:12:08,528
NARRATOR: Devine claims he
overheard a conversation
265
00:12:08,628 --> 00:12:11,664
between two Marines outside
a guarded aircraft hangar
266
00:12:11,765 --> 00:12:14,301
at a remote location
on the island.
267
00:12:14,401 --> 00:12:18,305
We got Amelia Earhart's
plain in that hangar.
268
00:12:18,405 --> 00:12:19,639
NARRATOR: The
Marines were severely
269
00:12:19,739 --> 00:12:23,143
reprimanded by an official
wearing civilian clothes.
270
00:12:23,243 --> 00:12:25,378
You've come about that
damn close to compromising
271
00:12:25,478 --> 00:12:26,679
the project right now.
272
00:12:26,780 --> 00:12:29,182
I'm telling you, I want you
to sit down, do your jobs,
273
00:12:29,282 --> 00:12:30,083
and shut up.
274
00:12:30,183 --> 00:12:33,053
Do you understand?
275
00:12:33,153 --> 00:12:34,521
NARRATOR: Devine
claims that later
276
00:12:34,621 --> 00:12:37,858
that same day he actually
saw Amelia Earhart's plane
277
00:12:37,958 --> 00:12:38,758
fly overhead.
278
00:12:41,494 --> 00:12:44,031
That night, he saw the
Lockheed 10 Electra
279
00:12:44,131 --> 00:12:48,101
again engulfed in flames.
280
00:12:48,201 --> 00:12:50,137
THOMAS DEVINE: I saw
that plane, personally,
281
00:12:50,237 --> 00:12:52,305
on three occasions that day.
282
00:12:52,405 --> 00:12:54,674
The last time, the
plane was in flames.
283
00:12:54,774 --> 00:12:56,143
[non-english speech]
284
00:12:56,243 --> 00:12:58,011
NARRATOR: This
woman, Niva Blaas,
285
00:12:58,111 --> 00:13:01,281
has lived on Saipan
her entire life.
286
00:13:01,381 --> 00:13:02,249
[dong]
287
00:13:04,818 --> 00:13:07,154
She claims that Earhart
and Noonan were captured
288
00:13:07,254 --> 00:13:10,557
by the Japanese as spies and
that she actually witnessed
289
00:13:10,657 --> 00:13:12,926
Amelia Earhart's execution.
290
00:13:13,026 --> 00:13:13,827
[speaking japanese]
291
00:13:13,927 --> 00:13:14,727
[gunfire]
292
00:13:17,164 --> 00:13:20,067
NARRATOR: Were Amelia Earhart
and Fred Noonan taken prisoner
293
00:13:20,167 --> 00:13:22,936
and executed on the
Island of Saipan,
294
00:13:23,036 --> 00:13:24,671
or did their plane,
in fact, go down
295
00:13:24,771 --> 00:13:27,807
in the vast and unforgiving
waters of the South Pacific?
296
00:13:31,411 --> 00:13:35,348
In 1989, the tiny uninhabited
island of Nikumaroro
297
00:13:35,448 --> 00:13:39,019
became the focal point of a
new and intriguing theory.
298
00:13:39,119 --> 00:13:43,123
Nikumaroro is located 420
miles from Howland Island,
299
00:13:43,223 --> 00:13:45,859
Earhart's intended destination.
300
00:13:45,959 --> 00:13:47,060
RICHARD GILLESPIE:
Watch the ground.
301
00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:48,395
NARRATOR: Aviation
archaeologist,
302
00:13:48,495 --> 00:13:50,697
Richard Gillespie,
headed an expedition
303
00:13:50,797 --> 00:13:53,100
to search for evidence
that Earhart and Noonan had
304
00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:56,269
been marooned on Nikumaroro.
305
00:13:56,369 --> 00:13:59,306
The expedition turned up
this aluminum aircraft part
306
00:13:59,406 --> 00:14:01,441
which, at the time,
Gillespie believed may
307
00:14:01,541 --> 00:14:05,178
have come from Earhart's plane.
308
00:14:05,278 --> 00:14:08,982
RICHARD GILLESPIE: This box
doesn't constitute proof.
309
00:14:09,082 --> 00:14:12,886
What it does is constitute
sufficient evidence
310
00:14:12,986 --> 00:14:16,990
to merit a return to
Nikumaroro to find
311
00:14:17,090 --> 00:14:20,027
and photograph the ultimate
proof, the airplane itself.
312
00:14:22,930 --> 00:14:25,465
In October of 1991,
Richard Gillespie
313
00:14:25,565 --> 00:14:28,668
mounted a second
expedition to Nikumaroro.
314
00:14:28,768 --> 00:14:30,904
Searchers found several
intriguing artifacts,
315
00:14:31,004 --> 00:14:34,307
which Gillespie claims are
indisputable proof that Amelia
316
00:14:34,407 --> 00:14:36,843
Earhart and Fred Noonan
died on the island
317
00:14:36,944 --> 00:14:39,846
while awaiting rescue.
318
00:14:39,947 --> 00:14:42,449
NARRATOR: On March
16, 1992, Gillespie
319
00:14:42,549 --> 00:14:44,851
presented his findings
at a press conference
320
00:14:44,952 --> 00:14:47,020
in Washington, D.C.
321
00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:50,557
Before you, are artifacts,
which along with the recently
322
00:14:50,657 --> 00:14:54,127
discovered historical
documents, conclusively
323
00:14:54,227 --> 00:14:59,032
solve the disappearance
of Amelia Earhart.
324
00:14:59,132 --> 00:15:00,500
NARRATOR: Among the
items on display,
325
00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:02,602
were these tattered
remnants of a shoe,
326
00:15:02,702 --> 00:15:04,871
allegedly worn by
Amelia Earhart,
327
00:15:04,972 --> 00:15:07,240
and this weathered
piece of aluminum.
328
00:15:07,340 --> 00:15:10,543
According to Gillespie, it came
from the fuselage of Earhart's
329
00:15:10,643 --> 00:15:13,180
Lockheed 10 Electra.
330
00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:18,385
The rivet pattern is the
same, four parallel rows
331
00:15:18,485 --> 00:15:20,087
of number three rivets--
332
00:15:20,187 --> 00:15:22,222
NARRATOR: If Richard
Gillespie is correct,
333
00:15:22,322 --> 00:15:25,959
then the final chapter of Amelia
Earhart's story can be written.
334
00:15:26,059 --> 00:15:28,028
However, Gillespie's
conclusions have been
335
00:15:28,128 --> 00:15:29,696
disputed by several experts.
336
00:15:29,796 --> 00:15:31,064
--radio direction findings--
337
00:15:31,164 --> 00:15:32,465
ELGEN M. LONG: It
was quite exciting
338
00:15:32,565 --> 00:15:34,934
that a new piece of
evidence had been uncovered
339
00:15:35,035 --> 00:15:37,337
because there hasn't
been much on Amelia
340
00:15:37,437 --> 00:15:39,672
Earhart in the last few years.
341
00:15:39,772 --> 00:15:42,342
NARRATOR: Elgin Long,
noted historian an Earhart
342
00:15:42,442 --> 00:15:44,544
biographer, was
asked by Gillespie
343
00:15:44,644 --> 00:15:46,980
to study detailed
measurements and photographs
344
00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:50,183
of the aluminum section.
345
00:15:50,283 --> 00:15:52,919
Long assembled a panel
of experts to compare
346
00:15:53,020 --> 00:15:55,022
the evidence with
an airplane fuselage
347
00:15:55,122 --> 00:15:56,923
identical to Amelia Earhart's.
348
00:16:00,893 --> 00:16:02,662
ELGEN M. LONG: When
we received the data,
349
00:16:02,762 --> 00:16:05,598
we made a template that
was the exact same size
350
00:16:05,698 --> 00:16:08,268
and had all the rivet holes
in it, just like the fragment
351
00:16:08,368 --> 00:16:10,703
that was found on Nikumaroro.
352
00:16:10,803 --> 00:16:13,573
We put this template up to
the bottom of the airplane,
353
00:16:13,673 --> 00:16:15,742
and we compared the rivet
lines with the rivets
354
00:16:15,842 --> 00:16:17,110
on the actual airplane.
355
00:16:17,210 --> 00:16:18,378
ELGEN M. LONG: You
notice that there's
356
00:16:18,478 --> 00:16:20,380
no real fasteners along here.
357
00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:21,814
They didn't match at all.
358
00:16:21,914 --> 00:16:24,417
There was rivet holes where
there shouldn't be any rivets.
359
00:16:24,517 --> 00:16:27,854
And there weren't rivet holes
where there should be rivets.
360
00:16:27,954 --> 00:16:29,089
What do you think?
361
00:16:29,189 --> 00:16:30,323
No way.
362
00:16:30,423 --> 00:16:32,092
NARRATOR: The panel compared
the template to nearly
363
00:16:32,192 --> 00:16:33,993
every section of the airplane.
364
00:16:34,094 --> 00:16:37,064
No match could be found.
365
00:16:37,164 --> 00:16:38,598
There's no way
that piece could
366
00:16:38,698 --> 00:16:44,137
have come from a Lockheed 10
or Amelia Earhart's airplane.
367
00:16:44,237 --> 00:16:46,439
NARRATOR: Richard Gillespie
attributes discrepancies
368
00:16:46,539 --> 00:16:48,508
in the rivet patterns
to repairs which
369
00:16:48,608 --> 00:16:51,178
were made on Earhart's plane
during her first attempt
370
00:16:51,278 --> 00:16:54,381
to fly around the world.
371
00:16:54,481 --> 00:16:59,952
The repair had to be exactly
per the engineering orders.
372
00:17:00,053 --> 00:17:01,754
NARRATOR: Panel consultant
and former Lockheed
373
00:17:01,854 --> 00:17:04,857
engineer, Ed Warner, disagrees.
374
00:17:04,957 --> 00:17:07,694
He argues that all repairs
made on Earhart's plane
375
00:17:07,794 --> 00:17:10,830
were done to strict
factory specifications.
376
00:17:10,930 --> 00:17:12,165
EDWARD WARNER: Well,
at first, I was
377
00:17:12,265 --> 00:17:16,236
kind of happy that the
controversy was over
378
00:17:16,336 --> 00:17:19,539
but then very disappointed.
379
00:17:19,639 --> 00:17:23,009
Now I've come to the
conclusion that it
380
00:17:23,110 --> 00:17:24,644
can't be part of her airplane.
381
00:17:27,046 --> 00:17:28,215
According to
Richard Gillespie,
382
00:17:28,315 --> 00:17:30,383
the National Transportation
and Safety Board
383
00:17:30,483 --> 00:17:32,485
has concluded that
the aluminum is
384
00:17:32,585 --> 00:17:36,389
consistent with materials used
to build Lockheed 10 Electras.
385
00:17:36,489 --> 00:17:38,425
However, they could not
confirm that it came
386
00:17:38,525 --> 00:17:40,660
from Amelia Earhart's plane.
387
00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:43,863
So for now, at least, Amelia
Earhart's disappearance
388
00:17:43,963 --> 00:17:46,032
remains and unsolved mystery.
389
00:17:48,868 --> 00:17:51,238
[theme music]
390
00:17:59,312 --> 00:18:01,948
On a previous broadcast, we
brought you the chilling story
391
00:18:02,048 --> 00:18:04,117
of a woman named Georgia Tann.
392
00:18:04,217 --> 00:18:07,354
For more than 20 years, Tann
used her well-known Tennessee
393
00:18:07,454 --> 00:18:10,257
orphanage as a front for a
highly-illegal black market
394
00:18:10,357 --> 00:18:11,158
baby ring.
395
00:18:11,258 --> 00:18:13,059
CHILD: Yahoo!
396
00:18:13,160 --> 00:18:15,928
NARRATOR: Thanks to our viewers,
nearly 200 of the children
397
00:18:16,028 --> 00:18:18,064
placed for adoption
by Georgia Tann
398
00:18:18,165 --> 00:18:20,032
have been reunited with
their birth families.
399
00:18:22,702 --> 00:18:25,104
Such happy endings are
certainly gratifying,
400
00:18:25,205 --> 00:18:27,740
but the appalling fact
remains that Georgia Tann was
401
00:18:27,840 --> 00:18:30,177
not the only one of her kind.
402
00:18:30,277 --> 00:18:33,413
Another notorious baby broker
was Bessie Bernard who bought
403
00:18:33,513 --> 00:18:35,982
and sold thousands of children.
404
00:18:36,082 --> 00:18:39,586
One of them would learn of his
adoption in a very painful way.
405
00:18:39,686 --> 00:18:43,055
His story begins almost 50
years ago in Nyack, New York.
406
00:18:46,259 --> 00:18:51,364
In 1944, Joe Soll was in his
first months of kindergarten.
407
00:18:51,464 --> 00:18:52,865
What'd you do that for?
408
00:18:52,965 --> 00:18:54,867
'Cause you're an adopted kid.
409
00:18:54,967 --> 00:18:55,868
I'm what?
410
00:18:55,968 --> 00:18:57,304
An adopted kid.
411
00:18:57,404 --> 00:18:58,505
JOE SOLL: I didn't
know what that
412
00:18:58,605 --> 00:19:00,440
meant, except I knew it
was bad because of the way
413
00:19:00,540 --> 00:19:01,774
they said it.
414
00:19:01,874 --> 00:19:07,146
And I ran home crying and asked
my mother what that meant.
415
00:19:07,247 --> 00:19:09,081
And was I, in fact,
adopted, still not
416
00:19:09,182 --> 00:19:11,017
knowing what the word meant.
417
00:19:11,117 --> 00:19:12,118
And she said, yes--
418
00:19:13,119 --> 00:19:14,521
Your real parents--
419
00:19:14,621 --> 00:19:17,457
they were killed in a car crash.
420
00:19:17,557 --> 00:19:21,761
But you're safe, and now
we're your real parents.
421
00:19:21,861 --> 00:19:24,831
And we love you so much.
422
00:19:24,931 --> 00:19:27,600
NARRATOR: Joe had been
adopted as an infant in 1939
423
00:19:27,700 --> 00:19:30,136
by Florence and Charles Soll.
424
00:19:30,237 --> 00:19:31,938
Charles was a
successful attorney
425
00:19:32,038 --> 00:19:35,408
who died unexpectedly in 1960.
426
00:19:35,508 --> 00:19:38,378
It was not until 20 years later,
that Joe learned his birth
427
00:19:38,478 --> 00:19:40,580
parents had not died
in a car accident
428
00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:46,353
after all, a fact which his
mother reluctantly confirmed.
429
00:19:46,453 --> 00:19:48,288
JOE SOLL: She said that my
father handled the whole thing,
430
00:19:48,388 --> 00:19:50,223
and she really
didn't want to know.
431
00:19:50,323 --> 00:19:52,359
And not only that, he
didn't want to tell her.
432
00:19:52,459 --> 00:19:54,894
He told her that
he had fixed it so
433
00:19:54,994 --> 00:19:58,097
that nobody could ever
find out anything,
434
00:19:58,197 --> 00:20:00,600
which is very scary for me.
435
00:20:00,700 --> 00:20:02,602
Here's your
father's old files.
436
00:20:02,702 --> 00:20:03,903
You can use our
library if you'd like.
437
00:20:04,003 --> 00:20:06,739
Thanks a lot.
438
00:20:06,839 --> 00:20:08,308
NARRATOR: After
extensive maneuvering,
439
00:20:08,408 --> 00:20:10,510
Joe gained access to
his father's records.
440
00:20:14,046 --> 00:20:16,349
Filled with
anticipation, he began
441
00:20:16,449 --> 00:20:18,485
the search for his origins.
442
00:20:18,585 --> 00:20:21,020
JOE SOLL: I found that there
was a file that he had left
443
00:20:21,120 --> 00:20:24,491
with all the letters that he
had written looking for a baby
444
00:20:24,591 --> 00:20:26,626
and information on me.
445
00:20:26,726 --> 00:20:29,696
And the information was that
my name was Robert Wilson when
446
00:20:29,796 --> 00:20:33,266
I was born, that my birthday
was November 3rd, 1939,
447
00:20:33,366 --> 00:20:37,003
and that my mother's
name was Ruth Haverman.
448
00:20:37,103 --> 00:20:41,674
And there were the
adoption decree.
449
00:20:41,774 --> 00:20:44,143
I had never seen any of this.
450
00:20:44,243 --> 00:20:47,146
It just washed me with
all sorts of emotion.
451
00:20:47,246 --> 00:20:48,047
Excuse me?
452
00:20:48,147 --> 00:20:48,948
Yes?
453
00:20:49,048 --> 00:20:50,483
Is this 677 Lexington Avenue.
454
00:20:50,583 --> 00:20:51,851
JOE SOLL: I know that
my birth mother was
455
00:20:51,951 --> 00:20:54,287
supposed to have lived
at 677 Lexington Avenue
456
00:20:54,387 --> 00:20:55,522
here in New York City.
457
00:20:55,622 --> 00:20:57,624
Does the name Ruth Haverman
mean anything to you?
458
00:20:57,724 --> 00:20:58,525
No.
459
00:20:58,625 --> 00:20:59,592
No one.
460
00:20:59,692 --> 00:21:01,193
JOE SOLL: But there
was never a Haverman
461
00:21:01,294 --> 00:21:02,762
at 677 Lexington Avenue.
462
00:21:02,862 --> 00:21:03,996
Not here.
463
00:21:04,096 --> 00:21:07,099
I know that there was a
family named Haversack that
464
00:21:07,199 --> 00:21:09,869
lived at 677 Lexington Avenue.
465
00:21:09,969 --> 00:21:13,540
And that building apparently
was an unwed mother's home.
466
00:21:13,640 --> 00:21:17,477
NARRATOR: Disheartened, Joe
went back to the old files.
467
00:21:17,577 --> 00:21:18,978
He discovered that
his father had
468
00:21:19,078 --> 00:21:21,213
corresponded regularly
with an adoption
469
00:21:21,314 --> 00:21:22,749
agent named Bessie Bernard.
470
00:21:26,886 --> 00:21:28,988
In the New York
City archives, Joe
471
00:21:29,088 --> 00:21:30,957
found out more
about Bessie Bernard
472
00:21:31,057 --> 00:21:33,993
than he had ever bargained for.
473
00:21:34,093 --> 00:21:36,496
JOE SOLL: As I searched to try
and find out who Bessie Bernard
474
00:21:36,596 --> 00:21:40,166
was, I came across articles
in The New York Times
475
00:21:40,266 --> 00:21:43,936
from 1949 when she was
arrested for baby selling
476
00:21:44,036 --> 00:21:46,238
and realized that I
was a black market
477
00:21:46,339 --> 00:21:50,109
baby, that I was sold,
which my mother confirmed,
478
00:21:50,209 --> 00:21:51,578
that I was bought.
479
00:21:51,678 --> 00:21:54,681
And that was painful.
480
00:21:54,781 --> 00:21:57,717
I felt like a piece of property.
481
00:21:57,817 --> 00:21:59,786
It's a strange feeling
to know that somebody
482
00:21:59,886 --> 00:22:01,421
paid money for you.
483
00:22:01,521 --> 00:22:03,823
That ad you put in the
Miami Herald, it was great.
484
00:22:03,923 --> 00:22:06,659
NARRATOR: Bessie Bernard lived
with her father in Manhattan.
485
00:22:06,759 --> 00:22:08,661
She used newspaper
ads to round up
486
00:22:08,761 --> 00:22:10,897
infants for her thriving
east coast baby brokerage.
487
00:22:10,997 --> 00:22:12,264
MR. BERNARD: --that
last batch of babies.
488
00:22:12,365 --> 00:22:13,533
Dad, I didn't pay too much.
489
00:22:13,633 --> 00:22:14,467
We're making lots of dough.
490
00:22:14,567 --> 00:22:15,735
It's good.
491
00:22:15,835 --> 00:22:18,237
NARRATOR: Bessie Bernard
charged each adoptive couple up
492
00:22:18,337 --> 00:22:21,374
to $2,000, a huge
sum at that time.
493
00:22:21,474 --> 00:22:23,242
--ready for tomorrow.
494
00:22:23,342 --> 00:22:25,812
JOE SOLL: She
averaged 20 a month.
495
00:22:25,912 --> 00:22:27,380
She brought them
in from Florida,
496
00:22:27,480 --> 00:22:29,348
from Hartford,
Connecticut, Boston.
497
00:22:29,449 --> 00:22:32,018
Anywhere she could get
babies, she advertised.
498
00:22:32,118 --> 00:22:35,622
And she brought them in, had the
births registered in New York,
499
00:22:35,722 --> 00:22:38,257
changed names.
500
00:22:38,357 --> 00:22:41,394
It was vicious what she did.
501
00:22:41,494 --> 00:22:42,662
[knock on door]
502
00:22:42,762 --> 00:22:45,598
NARRATOR: By 1949, the
Manhattan District Attorney
503
00:22:45,698 --> 00:22:46,733
was onto Bessie Bernard.
504
00:22:49,536 --> 00:22:51,237
Mr. Bernard?
MR. BERNARD: Yeah?
505
00:22:51,337 --> 00:22:52,204
I'm Detective O'Brien.
506
00:22:52,304 --> 00:22:53,239
This is--
507
00:22:53,339 --> 00:22:54,474
NARRATOR: On October
8th of that year,
508
00:22:54,574 --> 00:22:56,876
two police officers armed
with a search warrant
509
00:22:56,976 --> 00:22:58,110
showed up at her apartment.
510
00:22:58,210 --> 00:22:59,045
--warrant, sir.
511
00:22:59,145 --> 00:23:00,447
Would you please
stand over there?
512
00:23:00,547 --> 00:23:01,848
BESSIE BERNARD: Hey,
what's going on here?
513
00:23:01,948 --> 00:23:03,349
Are you Ms. Bernard?
BESSIE BERNARD: Yeah.
514
00:23:03,450 --> 00:23:04,584
Who wants to know?
515
00:23:04,684 --> 00:23:05,618
Stand over there with
your father, please, ma'am.
516
00:23:05,718 --> 00:23:06,819
NARRATOR: When the
detective started
517
00:23:06,919 --> 00:23:08,988
to rummage through
Bessie Bernard's purse,
518
00:23:09,088 --> 00:23:10,657
she went berserk.
- Dad, hold onto this.
519
00:23:10,757 --> 00:23:11,591
Hey.
Hey, you!
520
00:23:11,691 --> 00:23:12,592
Get out--
521
00:23:12,692 --> 00:23:13,392
DETECTIVE O'BRIEN:
Would you get back
522
00:23:13,493 --> 00:23:14,193
over there with your father?
523
00:23:14,293 --> 00:23:15,194
I want you out of my house!
524
00:23:15,294 --> 00:23:16,195
- Get over there with him.
- Get out!
525
00:23:16,295 --> 00:23:16,963
Did you hear me?
- What are you doing?
526
00:23:17,063 --> 00:23:18,297
I said get out!
527
00:23:18,397 --> 00:23:19,666
NARRATOR: Some believe that
the little black book Bessie
528
00:23:19,766 --> 00:23:22,602
Bernard threw to her father
contained the names of clients
529
00:23:22,702 --> 00:23:23,970
and other vital information.
530
00:23:24,070 --> 00:23:24,904
Get out--
531
00:23:25,004 --> 00:23:26,272
DeLuca!
532
00:23:26,372 --> 00:23:27,640
Come here.
533
00:23:27,740 --> 00:23:29,676
NARRATOR: Bessie's father
escaped, and the book
534
00:23:29,776 --> 00:23:31,110
was never recovered.
535
00:23:31,210 --> 00:23:32,011
DETECTIVE O'BRIEN: Hold it!
536
00:23:32,111 --> 00:23:34,346
Calm down.
537
00:23:34,447 --> 00:23:37,416
JUDGE: Will the defendant
please step forward?
538
00:23:37,517 --> 00:23:40,252
NARRATOR: On June 30,
1950, Bessie Bernard
539
00:23:40,352 --> 00:23:44,957
was found guilty of illegally
placing children for adoption.
540
00:23:45,057 --> 00:23:46,693
JUDGE: At this time,
is there anything
541
00:23:46,793 --> 00:23:48,127
you wish to say on your behalf?
542
00:23:49,462 --> 00:23:51,864
No.
543
00:23:51,964 --> 00:23:55,067
I hereby sentence
you to one year
544
00:23:55,167 --> 00:23:58,437
in the women's penitentiary.
545
00:23:58,538 --> 00:24:01,508
NARRATOR: Bessie Bernard
never spent a day in jail.
546
00:24:01,608 --> 00:24:06,378
She paid a $2,500 fine to avoid
serving her one year sentence.
547
00:24:06,479 --> 00:24:11,383
Bessie Bernard died in 1989,
taking her secrets with her.
548
00:24:11,484 --> 00:24:13,352
JOE SOLL: What makes
me angry and fills me
549
00:24:13,452 --> 00:24:17,990
with pain is that because Bessie
Bernard always changed things--
550
00:24:18,090 --> 00:24:21,227
birth dates, and birth
names, and birth mothers'
551
00:24:21,327 --> 00:24:23,029
names and places of birth--
552
00:24:23,129 --> 00:24:29,769
that me and so many other
people can't find their family.
553
00:24:29,869 --> 00:24:31,270
And I need to find my family.
554
00:24:33,906 --> 00:24:35,675
When I was looking
through the adoption
555
00:24:35,775 --> 00:24:39,612
file in my father's office,
and I saw all the letters
556
00:24:39,712 --> 00:24:43,349
that he had written to adoption
agencies, and orphanages,
557
00:24:43,449 --> 00:24:45,785
or relief organizations,
and I finally
558
00:24:45,885 --> 00:24:48,454
understand how much
they wanted a child,
559
00:24:48,555 --> 00:24:50,022
and why they did what they did.
560
00:24:50,122 --> 00:24:53,392
But it's impossible
to think for me
561
00:24:53,492 --> 00:24:56,095
and many other adopted
people about ever leaving
562
00:24:56,195 --> 00:24:57,329
the world when you
don't know how you
563
00:24:57,429 --> 00:25:00,867
got here in the first place.
564
00:25:00,967 --> 00:25:02,735
And my mother could be alive.
565
00:25:02,835 --> 00:25:04,070
I could have a
brother, a sister,
566
00:25:04,170 --> 00:25:06,539
or cousins, aunts, uncles.
567
00:25:06,639 --> 00:25:08,875
I need to know.
568
00:25:08,975 --> 00:25:11,110
I need to know who my family is.
569
00:25:16,883 --> 00:25:19,018
Joe Soll thinks his
mother's name was either Ruth
570
00:25:19,118 --> 00:25:21,420
Haverman or Ruth Haversack.
571
00:25:21,520 --> 00:25:24,323
She may have had a
friend named Lucy Bent.
572
00:25:24,423 --> 00:25:27,526
Joe's father is listed as Robert
Wilson, an engineer who worked
573
00:25:27,627 --> 00:25:29,495
in Hartford, Connecticut.
574
00:25:29,596 --> 00:25:34,133
Joe Soll believes he was born in
Manhattan on November 3, 1939,
575
00:25:34,233 --> 00:25:36,302
or one week earlier in Florida.
576
00:25:36,402 --> 00:25:38,771
[theme music]
577
00:25:52,785 --> 00:25:55,321
NARRATOR: Next, an
unexpected discovery
578
00:25:55,421 --> 00:25:59,358
prompts a murder investigation.
579
00:25:59,458 --> 00:26:01,761
[theme music]
580
00:26:06,699 --> 00:26:10,069
In November of 1991,
Unsolved Mysteries
581
00:26:10,169 --> 00:26:12,171
received a very unusual
letter from a man
582
00:26:12,271 --> 00:26:16,275
named Tyrone Rollins who
wanted us to look into a case.
583
00:26:16,375 --> 00:26:19,311
Rollins that unwittingly
sparked a murder investigation
584
00:26:19,411 --> 00:26:22,348
after experiencing a number
of strange premonitions, which
585
00:26:22,448 --> 00:26:25,117
he simply could not explain.
586
00:26:25,217 --> 00:26:26,018
I'm sure I'll catch you.
587
00:26:26,118 --> 00:26:27,887
I don't get off till 7:00.
588
00:26:27,987 --> 00:26:29,756
You take care.
589
00:26:29,856 --> 00:26:32,158
NARRATOR: In 1985,
Tyrone Rollins
590
00:26:32,258 --> 00:26:36,228
was hired as a school bus driver
in Independence, Missouri.
591
00:26:36,328 --> 00:26:38,564
Right from the start,
he had an eerie feeling
592
00:26:38,665 --> 00:26:41,367
about the rocky outcroppings
behind the bus yard.
593
00:26:45,271 --> 00:26:46,906
TYRONE ROLLINS: Every time
I walked past them hills,
594
00:26:47,006 --> 00:26:49,141
I'd get the same feeling.
595
00:26:49,241 --> 00:26:50,777
I'd be sitting up in
the front of my bus,
596
00:26:50,877 --> 00:26:54,781
and I'd feel like somebody
watching me from behind.
597
00:26:54,881 --> 00:26:56,916
And I'd look back
there, and there
598
00:26:57,016 --> 00:26:59,451
wouldn't be nobody on the bus.
599
00:26:59,551 --> 00:27:03,589
For a while there, I just
thought I was going crazy.
600
00:27:03,690 --> 00:27:06,592
There's a strong feeling like
something pulling inside me
601
00:27:06,693 --> 00:27:08,394
wanting me to do something,
and I just couldn't
602
00:27:08,494 --> 00:27:09,295
figure out what it was.
603
00:27:12,665 --> 00:27:15,401
NARRATOR: Finally,
on October 16, 1991,
604
00:27:15,501 --> 00:27:19,672
Tyrone was overcome by
the urge to investigate.
605
00:27:19,772 --> 00:27:22,842
On the north side of the hill,
he discovered a hidden cave.
606
00:27:24,811 --> 00:27:26,578
TYRONE ROLLINS: When that
strong feeling was back again.
607
00:27:26,679 --> 00:27:28,981
I knew I had to go in
there for some reason.
608
00:27:35,722 --> 00:27:38,657
It was like an amazing
adrenaline rush,
609
00:27:38,758 --> 00:27:40,126
just the feeling
of being in there.
610
00:27:40,226 --> 00:27:43,462
I didn't know if it was from
not knowing what was in there.
611
00:27:47,199 --> 00:27:49,035
When I shined my flashlight
towards the rocks,
612
00:27:49,135 --> 00:27:52,338
you could see little tiny specks
that looked like crystals.
613
00:27:52,438 --> 00:27:54,506
So I started
examining the rocks.
614
00:27:54,606 --> 00:27:57,209
And it was just then that
I happened to glance over,
615
00:27:57,309 --> 00:27:58,377
and I seen a pair of boots.
616
00:28:06,886 --> 00:28:09,455
It was just a shock.
617
00:28:09,555 --> 00:28:12,792
I just couldn't believe
what I was seeing.
618
00:28:12,892 --> 00:28:15,227
NARRATOR: Dental records would
later confirm that the remains
619
00:28:15,327 --> 00:28:17,897
are those of Gary Simmons,
a businessman from Overland
620
00:28:17,997 --> 00:28:21,768
Park, Kansas, 25 miles away.
621
00:28:21,868 --> 00:28:24,336
An autopsy revealed that
he had been murdered,
622
00:28:24,436 --> 00:28:26,038
shot once in the head.
623
00:28:28,975 --> 00:28:31,477
Tyrone Rollins' startling
discovery was about to become
624
00:28:31,577 --> 00:28:33,846
a nightmare for the police.
625
00:28:33,946 --> 00:28:35,347
They were confronted
with a killing that had
626
00:28:35,447 --> 00:28:37,950
taken place 17 years earlier.
627
00:28:38,050 --> 00:28:41,921
Gary Simmons had mysteriously
vanished in 1974.
628
00:28:42,021 --> 00:28:43,890
And, at this point,
investigation
629
00:28:43,990 --> 00:28:45,758
seemed almost futile.
630
00:28:45,858 --> 00:28:47,927
Yet, the police had no choice.
631
00:28:48,027 --> 00:28:50,997
After all, someone had
gotten away with murder
632
00:28:51,097 --> 00:28:53,399
for nearly two decades.
633
00:28:53,499 --> 00:28:54,733
[horse neighing]
634
00:28:56,635 --> 00:28:59,671
In the 1970s, Gary
Simmons owned and operated
635
00:28:59,772 --> 00:29:01,440
a lucrative chain
of gas stations
636
00:29:01,540 --> 00:29:02,641
in the Kansas City area.
637
00:29:02,741 --> 00:29:04,043
This must be Charisma.
638
00:29:04,143 --> 00:29:06,078
NARRATOR: His passionate
avocation was horse trading.
639
00:29:06,178 --> 00:29:06,979
Yeah.
640
00:29:07,079 --> 00:29:08,815
Beautiful horse.
641
00:29:08,915 --> 00:29:10,817
JERRY SIMMONS: Gary
had always worked hard.
642
00:29:10,917 --> 00:29:14,353
And I believe he got
involved in horses
643
00:29:14,453 --> 00:29:17,023
in order to have a
form of relaxation
644
00:29:17,123 --> 00:29:21,693
and a means of doing something
that was fun with his family.
645
00:29:21,794 --> 00:29:24,831
And it was a hobby
that he had probably
646
00:29:24,931 --> 00:29:26,365
been involved in only
two or three years
647
00:29:26,465 --> 00:29:27,599
prior to his disappearance.
648
00:29:27,699 --> 00:29:29,168
- What do you say, Gary?
- Hey, buddy.
649
00:29:29,268 --> 00:29:29,969
How you doing?
- Good.
650
00:29:30,069 --> 00:29:31,270
How you been?
- Good.
651
00:29:31,370 --> 00:29:33,039
Just got back from a show
down at Tulsa, Oklahoma.
652
00:29:33,139 --> 00:29:35,174
Man, I saw some of the
most beautiful horses
653
00:29:35,274 --> 00:29:36,775
I've seen in a long time.
- Is that right?
654
00:29:36,876 --> 00:29:37,776
You bet.
655
00:29:37,877 --> 00:29:39,145
Anything I might
be interested in?
656
00:29:39,245 --> 00:29:43,315
NARRATOR: On October 14, 1974,
a day before he disappeared,
657
00:29:43,415 --> 00:29:45,918
Gary Simmons learned of
a prize horse for sale.
658
00:29:46,018 --> 00:29:46,853
[horse neighing]
659
00:29:46,953 --> 00:29:48,787
You know Tom Dixon?
660
00:29:48,888 --> 00:29:51,824
Tom Dixon, yeah.
661
00:29:51,924 --> 00:29:53,759
Isn't he a member of the
Appaloosa Association?
662
00:29:53,860 --> 00:29:55,027
Right, right.
663
00:29:55,127 --> 00:29:57,329
He had one of the most
beautiful purebred Appaloosa
664
00:29:57,429 --> 00:29:59,966
I've seen in a long time,
raised him from a colt.
665
00:30:00,066 --> 00:30:01,267
How much is he asking for him?
666
00:30:01,367 --> 00:30:02,869
I'm not so sure he
wants to sell him.
667
00:30:02,969 --> 00:30:04,670
He's asking $30,000 for him.
668
00:30:04,770 --> 00:30:06,205
$30,000?
669
00:30:06,305 --> 00:30:07,106
Whew!
670
00:30:07,206 --> 00:30:08,274
That must be some kind of horse.
671
00:30:08,374 --> 00:30:09,341
Oh, man--
672
00:30:09,441 --> 00:30:11,043
NARRATOR: The next
morning, an agent
673
00:30:11,143 --> 00:30:12,744
acting for the
horse's owner showed
674
00:30:12,845 --> 00:30:14,881
up at Gary Simmons' office.
675
00:30:14,981 --> 00:30:15,781
Hi.
676
00:30:15,882 --> 00:30:16,815
Can I help you?
- Yeah.
677
00:30:16,916 --> 00:30:18,450
I'm here to see Mr. Simmons.
678
00:30:18,550 --> 00:30:19,751
- Do you have an appointment?
- Uh, yeah.
679
00:30:19,852 --> 00:30:21,353
We talked earlier on the phone.
- Uh-huh.
680
00:30:21,453 --> 00:30:22,521
And your name, please?
681
00:30:22,621 --> 00:30:23,890
Tom Dixon.
682
00:30:23,990 --> 00:30:25,257
M-hm.
683
00:30:25,357 --> 00:30:27,493
NARRATOR: It was the beginning
of an intricate transaction,
684
00:30:27,593 --> 00:30:30,362
which lasted all day
long and which police are
685
00:30:30,462 --> 00:30:32,932
still trying to piece together.
686
00:30:33,032 --> 00:30:34,967
Excuse me, Gary, there's
a Tom Dixon here to see you.
687
00:30:35,067 --> 00:30:35,868
GARY SIMMONS: Oh, sure.
688
00:30:35,968 --> 00:30:37,503
- Hi, Gary.
- Hi.
689
00:30:37,603 --> 00:30:38,437
Tom Dixon.
690
00:30:38,537 --> 00:30:40,539
NARRATOR: At 10:15
AM, Gary Simmons
691
00:30:40,639 --> 00:30:41,874
left his office with Dixon.
692
00:30:41,974 --> 00:30:42,808
TOM DIXON: About 20 minutes.
693
00:30:42,909 --> 00:30:43,775
GARY SIMMONS: OK.
694
00:30:43,876 --> 00:30:45,377
Uh, I'll follow you.
TOM DIXON: Sure.
695
00:30:45,477 --> 00:30:46,678
NARRATOR: Simmons
told his secretary
696
00:30:46,778 --> 00:30:48,614
that he would return
shortly, but he
697
00:30:48,714 --> 00:30:51,750
did not say where he was going.
698
00:30:51,850 --> 00:30:52,985
[phone ringing]
699
00:30:54,353 --> 00:30:57,189
15 Minutes later, Gary Simmons
telephoned his secretary
700
00:30:57,289 --> 00:31:01,894
and instructed her to make out
a $30,000 check to Tom Dixon.
701
00:31:01,994 --> 00:31:07,599
OK, 30,000.
702
00:31:07,699 --> 00:31:08,500
Hi.
703
00:31:08,600 --> 00:31:09,535
Can I help you with something?
704
00:31:09,635 --> 00:31:10,736
Yeah, I'm here to pick--
705
00:31:10,836 --> 00:31:12,671
NARRATOR: 11:00 AM, Dixon
picked up the check.
706
00:31:12,771 --> 00:31:13,973
--Gary earlier.
- Uh, yeah.
707
00:31:14,073 --> 00:31:14,873
Didn't he call?
708
00:31:14,974 --> 00:31:16,075
Uh, yes, he did.
709
00:31:16,175 --> 00:31:19,178
And I've drawn up the check,
but you're going to have
710
00:31:19,278 --> 00:31:20,947
to get Gary's signature on it.
711
00:31:21,047 --> 00:31:23,682
NARRATOR: Dixon then took
the check to Gary Simmons
712
00:31:23,782 --> 00:31:25,717
for his signature,
but no one knows
713
00:31:25,817 --> 00:31:27,186
where the meeting took place.
714
00:31:31,924 --> 00:31:35,794
At 11:30 AM, Gary Simmons
was spotted at a truck stop
715
00:31:35,894 --> 00:31:37,563
10 miles from his office.
716
00:31:37,663 --> 00:31:39,498
COOK: Your hamburger and
cheeseburger are ready.
717
00:31:39,598 --> 00:31:40,499
DET.
718
00:31:40,599 --> 00:31:41,867
VICTOR ZINN: The
owner saw Gary Simmons
719
00:31:41,968 --> 00:31:44,736
walking back and forth between
the counter and the window.
720
00:31:48,340 --> 00:31:51,243
He remembers that Gary
Simmons was alone,
721
00:31:51,343 --> 00:31:53,345
and there did not seem
to be anybody with him
722
00:31:53,445 --> 00:31:57,016
or waiting with him.
723
00:31:57,116 --> 00:31:58,884
NARRATOR: It was
the last time anyone
724
00:31:58,985 --> 00:32:00,719
ever saw Gary Simmons alive.
725
00:32:05,057 --> 00:32:09,261
Just before noon, Dixon
showed up at Simmons' bank.
726
00:32:09,361 --> 00:32:10,462
DET.
727
00:32:10,562 --> 00:32:12,031
VICTOR ZINN: Gary Simmons
had called the president
728
00:32:12,131 --> 00:32:16,502
of the bank and had informed
him that Tom Dixon was
729
00:32:16,602 --> 00:32:19,371
on his way to cash the check.
730
00:32:19,471 --> 00:32:22,774
The bank president recognized
Gary Simmons' voice,
731
00:32:22,874 --> 00:32:26,145
and he did not recognize
anything unusual in his voice
732
00:32:26,245 --> 00:32:28,247
to raise his suspicions either.
733
00:32:28,347 --> 00:32:31,717
$9,900, $10,000.
734
00:32:31,817 --> 00:32:34,253
$30,000 Total, Mr. Dixon.
735
00:32:34,353 --> 00:32:35,587
Don't you think
you'd like to open up
736
00:32:35,687 --> 00:32:37,056
a checking or savings account?
737
00:32:37,156 --> 00:32:38,424
A lot of--
738
00:32:38,524 --> 00:32:40,993
NARRATOR: Dixon took delivery
of the money in $100 bills.
739
00:32:41,093 --> 00:32:44,263
I need it to pay
off some debts.
740
00:32:44,363 --> 00:32:45,164
Thank you.
741
00:32:45,264 --> 00:32:46,065
BANKER: Thank you.
742
00:32:48,567 --> 00:32:49,435
[horn honking]
743
00:32:50,502 --> 00:32:51,870
NARRATOR: Around
five hours later,
744
00:32:51,970 --> 00:32:55,541
Dixon showed up at a salvage
yard, 11 miles from the bank.
745
00:32:55,641 --> 00:32:57,543
He was driving Gary Simmons'
Lincoln Continental.
746
00:32:57,643 --> 00:32:58,610
I waited for you this morning.
747
00:32:58,710 --> 00:32:59,578
You never showed.
748
00:32:59,678 --> 00:33:01,580
Well, I got busy.
749
00:33:01,680 --> 00:33:03,015
Where'd you get that Lincoln?
750
00:33:03,115 --> 00:33:04,283
Uh, it's--it's not my car.
751
00:33:04,383 --> 00:33:06,152
It's something I
need to get rid of.
752
00:33:06,252 --> 00:33:08,487
I was wondering if you
could use your machine
753
00:33:08,587 --> 00:33:09,721
to sort of crush it for me.
754
00:33:09,821 --> 00:33:10,622
Yeah.
755
00:33:10,722 --> 00:33:12,258
I can make it flat for ya.
756
00:33:12,358 --> 00:33:13,592
But if you want
to get rid of it,
757
00:33:13,692 --> 00:33:14,960
you're going to have to melt it.
758
00:33:15,061 --> 00:33:16,295
[ahem]
759
00:33:16,395 --> 00:33:19,431
Feds have been keeping a real
close eye on the furnace.
760
00:33:19,531 --> 00:33:21,333
You got any, uh, better ideas?
761
00:33:21,433 --> 00:33:22,501
Yeah.
762
00:33:22,601 --> 00:33:24,270
Put a brick on the
accelerator and drive it
763
00:33:24,370 --> 00:33:25,171
in the Missouri River.
764
00:33:27,906 --> 00:33:29,208
Hey, thanks for the advice.
765
00:33:29,308 --> 00:33:30,142
I'll catch you later.
766
00:33:30,242 --> 00:33:31,677
All right.
767
00:33:31,777 --> 00:33:34,012
NARRATOR: The next day,
one of Tom Dixon's friends
768
00:33:34,113 --> 00:33:37,383
dropped him off at a truck
stop near Kansas City.
769
00:33:37,483 --> 00:33:42,088
Dixon said he was planning
to hop a cross-country rig.
770
00:33:42,188 --> 00:33:47,659
It was the last time
anyone ever saw Tom Dixon.
771
00:33:47,759 --> 00:33:49,495
Six months went by.
772
00:33:49,595 --> 00:33:53,999
Then on April 25, 1975, Gary
Simmons' Lincoln Continental
773
00:33:54,100 --> 00:33:56,302
was pulled out of
the Missouri River
774
00:33:56,402 --> 00:33:59,105
less than six miles from
the salvage yard where Dixon
775
00:33:59,205 --> 00:34:00,572
had tried to get rid of it.
776
00:34:00,672 --> 00:34:01,973
DET.
777
00:34:02,074 --> 00:34:07,113
VICTOR ZINN: All you had was two
grown men that had disappeared.
778
00:34:07,213 --> 00:34:10,249
And that happens
every day in America.
779
00:34:10,349 --> 00:34:12,551
It was unknown whether
they had disappeared
780
00:34:12,651 --> 00:34:16,122
and not wanted to be
found, or if foul play
781
00:34:16,222 --> 00:34:17,289
had indeed occurred.
782
00:34:21,427 --> 00:34:24,330
Upon finding Gary
Simmons' body, it became
783
00:34:24,430 --> 00:34:26,232
a homicide investigation.
784
00:34:26,332 --> 00:34:27,199
We had an actual crime.
785
00:34:30,669 --> 00:34:34,440
A finger of guilt appeared
to point squarely at Tom Dixon.
786
00:34:34,540 --> 00:34:36,675
Police theorize that
Simmons had been the victim
787
00:34:36,775 --> 00:34:38,477
of a bogus horse deal.
788
00:34:38,577 --> 00:34:41,313
Dixon acting either
alone or with a partner,
789
00:34:41,413 --> 00:34:44,783
took Simmons' money and killed
him that, in fact, there may
790
00:34:44,883 --> 00:34:47,186
never have been a horse at all.
791
00:34:47,286 --> 00:34:49,488
But then during the
filming of this story,
792
00:34:49,588 --> 00:34:51,757
a new witness came forward.
793
00:34:51,857 --> 00:34:53,024
ROY HILTON: Oh,
Gary knew a horse.
794
00:34:53,125 --> 00:34:53,992
That's for sure.
795
00:34:54,092 --> 00:34:56,162
He knew what a good
horse was and--
796
00:34:56,262 --> 00:34:58,330
NARRATOR: Roy Hilton is
a local rancher who says
797
00:34:58,430 --> 00:35:00,166
he knew both Simmons and Dixon.
798
00:35:00,266 --> 00:35:03,235
--he didn't like and
didn't care about and--
799
00:35:03,335 --> 00:35:05,671
NARRATOR: On the day that
Gary Simmons disappeared,
800
00:35:05,771 --> 00:35:08,407
Roy Hilton claims he
heard Simmons making calls
801
00:35:08,507 --> 00:35:10,942
to his office and to the
bank from the Whispering
802
00:35:11,042 --> 00:35:13,379
Downs Horse Ranch.
803
00:35:13,479 --> 00:35:15,113
Yeah, $30,000.
804
00:35:15,214 --> 00:35:16,982
NARRATOR: He also states
that Simmons showed
805
00:35:17,082 --> 00:35:18,384
him the horse he was buying.
806
00:35:18,484 --> 00:35:19,285
--the signature.
807
00:35:19,385 --> 00:35:21,553
Just have it ready for him, OK?
808
00:35:21,653 --> 00:35:23,822
ROY HILTON: This murder didn't
come down over a $30,000
809
00:35:23,922 --> 00:35:25,324
horse deal.
810
00:35:25,424 --> 00:35:28,760
It had to come down on
some black market gas.
811
00:35:28,860 --> 00:35:31,463
I'm almost positive
of that because Gary
812
00:35:31,563 --> 00:35:35,133
Simmons was having problem
getting fuel for his stations.
813
00:35:35,234 --> 00:35:38,103
NARRATOR: Roy Hilton's testimony
adds another layer of confusion
814
00:35:38,204 --> 00:35:40,839
to an already complex case.
815
00:35:40,939 --> 00:35:43,242
In the year prior to
his death, Gary Simmons
816
00:35:43,342 --> 00:35:45,744
was struggling to save
his chain of gas stations
817
00:35:45,844 --> 00:35:50,649
in the face of the
1973 Arab oil embargo.
818
00:35:50,749 --> 00:35:54,220
JERRY SIMMONS: Gary was affected
drastically by the embargo.
819
00:35:54,320 --> 00:35:56,788
He closed the bulk
of his stations
820
00:35:56,888 --> 00:36:00,359
because of the fact
of lack of gasoline.
821
00:36:00,459 --> 00:36:03,094
After Gary disappeared,
there was numerous rumors
822
00:36:03,195 --> 00:36:04,496
that Gary might
have been involved
823
00:36:04,596 --> 00:36:06,765
in black market gasoline.
824
00:36:06,865 --> 00:36:09,535
What Gary was involved in was
buying gasoline on the spot
825
00:36:09,635 --> 00:36:13,138
market, and a lot of people
labeled spot market gasoline
826
00:36:13,239 --> 00:36:15,341
because it was beyond
government controls
827
00:36:15,441 --> 00:36:16,875
as black market gasoline.
828
00:36:16,975 --> 00:36:18,944
But it was one in the same.
829
00:36:19,044 --> 00:36:20,479
It was a perfectly
legal transaction
830
00:36:20,579 --> 00:36:21,813
to buy gasoline
on the spot market
831
00:36:21,913 --> 00:36:23,382
that most oil
companies did sell.
832
00:36:26,084 --> 00:36:29,187
NARRATOR: Who murdered
Garry Simmons and why?
833
00:36:29,288 --> 00:36:31,457
There may be only one
man who can answer both
834
00:36:31,557 --> 00:36:35,361
of those questions, Tom Dixon.
835
00:36:35,461 --> 00:36:37,963
A warrant has been
issued for Dixon's arrest
836
00:36:38,063 --> 00:36:40,131
on charges of auto theft.
837
00:36:40,232 --> 00:36:45,471
When he disappeared in
1974, he was 42 years old.
838
00:36:45,571 --> 00:36:47,739
This photograph has been
aged to show how Tom
839
00:36:47,839 --> 00:36:50,676
Dixon might look today at 60.
840
00:36:50,776 --> 00:36:53,679
He is 5 feet 8 inches
tall with brown or graying
841
00:36:53,779 --> 00:36:55,747
hair and green eyes.
842
00:36:55,847 --> 00:36:58,750
He may be working as a house
painter or general contractor.
843
00:37:03,689 --> 00:37:06,024
[theme music]
844
00:37:14,366 --> 00:37:16,535
On a previous broadcast,
we featured the story
845
00:37:16,635 --> 00:37:19,638
of Jackie Dragon who was
adopted by a California couple
846
00:37:19,738 --> 00:37:20,872
when she was just an infant.
847
00:37:24,209 --> 00:37:27,479
When Jackie was 12, she came
across her adoption papers
848
00:37:27,579 --> 00:37:31,049
and learned the names
of her birth parents.
849
00:37:31,149 --> 00:37:32,183
JACKIE DRAGON: It
was a big thing.
850
00:37:32,284 --> 00:37:33,785
It was a turning point.
851
00:37:33,885 --> 00:37:35,954
It was something that I
knew from that point on that
852
00:37:36,054 --> 00:37:40,025
someday I would find those
people in that paper,
853
00:37:40,125 --> 00:37:41,627
and that I had to,
that they were real.
854
00:37:46,164 --> 00:37:49,401
NARRATOR: In July of 1990,
after nine years of searching,
855
00:37:49,501 --> 00:37:53,872
Jackie finally tracked down her
biological mother, Marge Rider.
856
00:37:53,972 --> 00:37:54,840
Hi.
857
00:37:54,940 --> 00:37:56,642
May I speak with
Marge Rider, please?
858
00:37:56,742 --> 00:37:58,209
Speaking.
859
00:37:58,310 --> 00:38:00,812
NARRATOR: Marge was living
in Winchester, Illinois.
860
00:38:00,912 --> 00:38:03,349
The phone call from Jackie
was totally unexpected.
861
00:38:03,449 --> 00:38:06,017
Does February 16, 1964
mean anything to you?
862
00:38:06,117 --> 00:38:07,586
MARGE RIDER: I was
already sitting down,
863
00:38:07,686 --> 00:38:10,055
and I felt like I had
just fallen into a chair
864
00:38:10,155 --> 00:38:12,424
because it was--
865
00:38:12,524 --> 00:38:14,025
I've never had a shock
like that before.
866
00:38:15,193 --> 00:38:16,294
Well, do you have
time to talk right now?
867
00:38:16,395 --> 00:38:17,829
NARRATOR: During the
course of the conversation,
868
00:38:17,929 --> 00:38:20,065
Jackie was surprised to
learn that she had three
869
00:38:20,165 --> 00:38:22,601
sisters whom she had never met.
870
00:38:22,701 --> 00:38:26,905
Only the youngest, Tracy,
was raised by Marge.
871
00:38:27,005 --> 00:38:28,106
JACKIE DRAGON: It
was very exciting.
872
00:38:28,206 --> 00:38:29,274
I couldn't believe it.
It was like, there's more?
873
00:38:29,375 --> 00:38:30,376
You're kidding.
874
00:38:30,476 --> 00:38:32,578
There's something more
that I didn't know?
875
00:38:32,678 --> 00:38:34,880
NARRATOR: During a poignant
reunion with Marge,
876
00:38:34,980 --> 00:38:37,082
Jackie learned that
her two other sisters,
877
00:38:37,182 --> 00:38:40,185
Laura May and Dawn Marie, had
also been placed for adoption.
878
00:38:40,285 --> 00:38:41,186
Wow.
879
00:38:41,286 --> 00:38:42,688
You can definitely
tell it's family.
880
00:38:42,788 --> 00:38:47,025
JACKIE DRAGON: I would love the
opportunity to find my sisters.
881
00:38:47,125 --> 00:38:49,828
I like to think that
somewhere, wherever they are,
882
00:38:49,928 --> 00:38:52,130
that they know that
they're adopted,
883
00:38:52,230 --> 00:38:55,166
and that they wonder
where they came from.
884
00:38:55,266 --> 00:38:57,202
They were mine.
I did love them.
885
00:38:57,302 --> 00:38:58,136
I do love them.
886
00:39:01,339 --> 00:39:04,075
And it would be nice to make
the family complete again.
887
00:39:07,813 --> 00:39:09,915
NARRATOR: Thanks to our
viewers, Jackie Dragon
888
00:39:10,015 --> 00:39:12,217
and Marge Rider's dream
of reuniting their family
889
00:39:12,317 --> 00:39:13,485
finally came true.
890
00:39:13,585 --> 00:39:16,955
And they were contacted by
Laura May and Dawn Marie.
891
00:39:17,055 --> 00:39:19,290
Dawn Marie, whose
adoptive name is Susan,
892
00:39:19,391 --> 00:39:22,561
owns her own business in
Santa Barbara, California.
893
00:39:22,661 --> 00:39:24,663
Laura May, Marge's
oldest daughter,
894
00:39:24,763 --> 00:39:26,832
is now married and
lives in Mississippi.
895
00:39:31,102 --> 00:39:32,871
Three months after
our broadcast,
896
00:39:32,971 --> 00:39:35,206
Laura May arrived at
her sister Jackie's home
897
00:39:35,306 --> 00:39:37,342
in Glendale, California.
898
00:39:37,443 --> 00:39:39,177
Marge and her youngest
daughter, Tracy,
899
00:39:39,277 --> 00:39:42,781
had flown in from Illinois
for this very special reunion.
900
00:39:42,881 --> 00:39:46,351
We've talked so
much on the phone.
901
00:39:46,452 --> 00:39:47,252
This is Tracy.
902
00:39:47,352 --> 00:39:48,153
Hi.
903
00:39:48,253 --> 00:39:49,588
I'm your sister, Tracy.
904
00:39:49,688 --> 00:39:51,322
LAURA MAY: Meeting them
was really nerve-wracking
905
00:39:51,423 --> 00:39:53,959
because it's like I wasn't
quite sure what to expect
906
00:39:54,059 --> 00:39:56,227
and what they
would expect of me.
907
00:39:56,327 --> 00:39:57,162
You're short.
908
00:39:57,262 --> 00:39:58,096
You're tall.
909
00:39:58,196 --> 00:39:58,997
[laughing]
910
00:40:00,432 --> 00:40:02,734
And then, after I got here,
it just all seemed to flow.
911
00:40:02,834 --> 00:40:05,403
It was very natural.
912
00:40:05,504 --> 00:40:06,705
[indistinct chatter]
913
00:40:08,006 --> 00:40:10,341
MARGE RIDER: The last time
I remember seeing Laura,
914
00:40:10,442 --> 00:40:12,043
she was in a high chair.
915
00:40:12,143 --> 00:40:14,045
And now here she
is all grown up,
916
00:40:14,145 --> 00:40:17,449
and I'm still looking
for this little girl.
917
00:40:17,549 --> 00:40:18,884
And it's kind of hard.
918
00:40:22,888 --> 00:40:24,756
Hi, Susan.
919
00:40:24,856 --> 00:40:26,692
Oh, it's good to meet you.
920
00:40:26,792 --> 00:40:28,594
NARRATOR: A short
time later, the circle
921
00:40:28,694 --> 00:40:31,229
was finally completed with
the arrival of Marge's
922
00:40:31,329 --> 00:40:32,831
other daughter, Susan.
923
00:40:32,931 --> 00:40:35,066
OK, hug.
924
00:40:35,166 --> 00:40:37,969
You look great.
925
00:40:38,069 --> 00:40:39,605
SUSAN: I grew up knowing
that I was adopted,
926
00:40:39,705 --> 00:40:43,609
but I didn't know anything
about who my real parents were.
927
00:40:43,709 --> 00:40:51,449
And it's nice to know
who your family is,
928
00:40:51,550 --> 00:40:55,286
and what your background is,
and learn more about them.
929
00:40:55,386 --> 00:40:57,155
I think when I first started
feeling really comfortable
930
00:40:57,255 --> 00:40:59,525
was when we went out
and took some Polaroids.
931
00:40:59,625 --> 00:41:02,260
And it was a really
neat feeling to have
932
00:41:02,360 --> 00:41:03,862
a picture right in
front of me and see
933
00:41:03,962 --> 00:41:05,096
all of us standing together.
934
00:41:05,196 --> 00:41:07,165
Get closer.
935
00:41:07,265 --> 00:41:09,635
JACKIE DRAGON: It's a
very once in a lifetime
936
00:41:09,735 --> 00:41:13,705
kind of a thing to find a
sister that you've never met.
937
00:41:13,805 --> 00:41:16,407
Everybody smile.
938
00:41:16,508 --> 00:41:19,244
MARGE RIDER: Each one
is totally individual.
939
00:41:19,344 --> 00:41:21,112
They're all strong,
I've found out.
940
00:41:25,150 --> 00:41:28,019
And they've done good
with their lives.
941
00:41:28,119 --> 00:41:29,254
I'm proud of all four of them.
942
00:41:33,692 --> 00:41:35,527
[theme music]
943
00:41:40,966 --> 00:41:44,670
Wholesale medical
supply distributor wanted.
944
00:41:44,770 --> 00:41:47,606
Investment of $18,000
minimum required
945
00:41:47,706 --> 00:41:50,576
for necessary inventory.
946
00:41:50,676 --> 00:41:52,544
During the past year,
this advertisement
947
00:41:52,644 --> 00:41:56,114
was placed in over 90 newspapers
all across America by a company
948
00:41:56,214 --> 00:42:00,085
called Fidelity National
Medical Supply, Incorporated.
949
00:42:00,185 --> 00:42:02,520
The ad seemed to offer
the perfect opportunity
950
00:42:02,621 --> 00:42:04,956
for enterprising individuals
who had always dreamed
951
00:42:05,056 --> 00:42:06,057
of owning their own business.
952
00:42:09,294 --> 00:42:13,231
Fidelity National was based
in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
953
00:42:13,331 --> 00:42:16,401
They extended an open invitation
to potential investors
954
00:42:16,501 --> 00:42:19,605
to visit the company
headquarters.
955
00:42:19,705 --> 00:42:21,707
One person who took
advantage of the offer
956
00:42:21,807 --> 00:42:24,509
was a man whom we will
call Robert Jones.
957
00:42:24,610 --> 00:42:27,078
He has asked that we not
reveal his true identity.
958
00:42:27,178 --> 00:42:30,315
ROBERT JONES: --doing something.
959
00:42:30,415 --> 00:42:33,752
NARRATOR: On January
24, 1992, Robert Jones
960
00:42:33,852 --> 00:42:35,486
was driven to the
company offices
961
00:42:35,587 --> 00:42:39,725
in a limousine provided
by Fidelity National.
962
00:42:39,825 --> 00:42:41,727
Jones who had arrived
in town the day
963
00:42:41,827 --> 00:42:44,863
before wanted to see
the operation firsthand
964
00:42:44,963 --> 00:42:47,899
before making an investment.
965
00:42:47,999 --> 00:42:49,968
ROBERT JONES: I checked with
the Better Business Bureau
966
00:42:50,068 --> 00:42:51,569
in Oklahoma City.
967
00:42:51,670 --> 00:42:53,071
There was no complaints there.
968
00:42:53,171 --> 00:42:56,374
I had them checked out with
a national credit firm,
969
00:42:56,474 --> 00:43:01,246
and all their resources checked
out the same with this firm.
970
00:43:01,346 --> 00:43:04,482
I was satisfied that
they were legitimate.
971
00:43:04,582 --> 00:43:05,416
[phone ringing]
972
00:43:05,516 --> 00:43:06,618
And over on our
globe map, you'll
973
00:43:06,718 --> 00:43:08,419
see that all of our
suppliers are from overseas.
974
00:43:08,519 --> 00:43:09,721
We've got London--
975
00:43:09,821 --> 00:43:12,157
NARRATOR: Fidelity National
was certainly impressive.
976
00:43:12,257 --> 00:43:13,859
Orders were pouring in.
977
00:43:13,959 --> 00:43:16,061
Workers were busily
taking inventory
978
00:43:16,161 --> 00:43:19,865
and answering a constant
stream of phone calls.
979
00:43:19,965 --> 00:43:21,232
Robert, this is
our [inaudible] room.
980
00:43:21,332 --> 00:43:22,467
I can't take you
into the warehouse
981
00:43:22,567 --> 00:43:23,635
because it's a bonded warehouse.
982
00:43:23,735 --> 00:43:24,770
You know, we have
pharmaceuticals.
983
00:43:24,870 --> 00:43:26,071
You know how it is.
984
00:43:26,171 --> 00:43:27,105
For security, sure.
985
00:43:27,205 --> 00:43:28,239
What you see here--
986
00:43:28,339 --> 00:43:30,375
NARRATOR: The warehouse
was equally impressive.
987
00:43:30,475 --> 00:43:33,078
Thousands of boxes were
stacked behind locked doors
988
00:43:33,178 --> 00:43:34,813
awaiting delivery
to distributors.
989
00:43:34,913 --> 00:43:36,181
MANAGER: You can see
by the packing labels
990
00:43:36,281 --> 00:43:37,348
here that all these
will be ready--
991
00:43:37,448 --> 00:43:39,517
ROBERT JONES: Their
financials indicated
992
00:43:39,617 --> 00:43:43,689
that they had $2.8
million or so of inventory
993
00:43:43,789 --> 00:43:46,157
in various locations.
994
00:43:46,257 --> 00:43:48,694
More comes in next weekend.
995
00:43:48,794 --> 00:43:51,496
NARRATOR: Jones took the plunge
and purchased a distributorship
996
00:43:51,596 --> 00:43:55,233
for $54,000, his life savings.
997
00:43:55,333 --> 00:43:57,869
He was just one of
more than 300 people
998
00:43:57,969 --> 00:44:00,571
who had made investments
totaling $1.2 million.
999
00:44:03,541 --> 00:44:05,711
But, as the money
flooded in, the Criminal
1000
00:44:05,811 --> 00:44:08,046
Investigation
Division of the IRS
1001
00:44:08,146 --> 00:44:12,017
became increasingly suspicious.
1002
00:44:12,117 --> 00:44:16,922
On February 17, 1992, agents
from the FBI, the IRS,
1003
00:44:17,022 --> 00:44:19,758
and the Oklahoma City
Police made a surprise raid
1004
00:44:19,858 --> 00:44:22,093
at Fidelity National's
headquarters.
1005
00:44:22,193 --> 00:44:23,895
OFFICIAL: I can tell by you
lifting five or six boxes
1006
00:44:23,995 --> 00:44:26,031
at one time, there's
nothing in any of the boxes
1007
00:44:26,131 --> 00:44:27,498
that you can tell?
1008
00:44:27,598 --> 00:44:29,067
No, sir.
1009
00:44:29,167 --> 00:44:30,435
BOB RICKS: When they
went into the boxes,
1010
00:44:30,535 --> 00:44:33,438
they found that they
were completely empty.
1011
00:44:33,538 --> 00:44:36,341
We found no evidence that
Fidelity had in any way
1012
00:44:36,441 --> 00:44:39,544
purchased, ordered,
received, or shipped
1013
00:44:39,644 --> 00:44:41,947
during the entire course
of their business life
1014
00:44:42,047 --> 00:44:44,215
any medical supplies.
1015
00:44:44,315 --> 00:44:46,584
The inventory which we
found when we executed
1016
00:44:46,684 --> 00:44:48,486
search warrants
at their warehouse
1017
00:44:48,586 --> 00:44:50,488
would fit on the
side of my desk.
1018
00:44:50,588 --> 00:44:52,357
OFFICIAL: They're empty.
1019
00:44:52,457 --> 00:44:53,925
NARRATOR: Investigators
painstakingly
1020
00:44:54,025 --> 00:44:57,062
checked every single
box in the warehouse.
1021
00:44:57,162 --> 00:44:59,697
Every single box was empty.
1022
00:44:59,798 --> 00:45:01,666
And the masterminds
of the operation
1023
00:45:01,767 --> 00:45:05,070
had long since disappeared.
1024
00:45:05,170 --> 00:45:06,304
BOB RICKS: These
are not amateurs.
1025
00:45:06,404 --> 00:45:08,974
These people have obviously
done this in the past.
1026
00:45:09,074 --> 00:45:10,108
They knew what they were doing.
1027
00:45:10,208 --> 00:45:11,442
They did it very quickly.
1028
00:45:11,542 --> 00:45:12,477
They knew how to get in.
1029
00:45:12,577 --> 00:45:13,912
They knew how to get out.
1030
00:45:14,012 --> 00:45:15,881
They knew how to setup the
accounts without putting
1031
00:45:15,981 --> 00:45:18,917
fingerprints on the accounts.
1032
00:45:19,017 --> 00:45:21,486
We believe the leader
of this operation
1033
00:45:21,586 --> 00:45:25,723
was a gentleman
named Richard Condia.
1034
00:45:25,824 --> 00:45:27,692
[theme music]
1035
00:46:00,892 --> 00:46:02,293
Join me next time.
1036
00:46:02,393 --> 00:46:04,695
Perhaps you may be able
to help solve a mystery.
1037
00:46:05,696 --> 00:46:08,666
[theme music]
80209
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