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Over a span of 39 years, 25 aliases, 28 arrests in 20 cities, and nearly a dozen imprisonments, Robert Spears lived a con artist's life of unparalleled adventure and intrigue. But that is far from the end of his story.Shortly before Thanksgiving Day in 1959, a plane exploded in mid-air, killing all forty-two passengers and crew and leaving scattered debris and bodies across the otherwise tranquil Gulf waters. Listed on the manifest was Dr. Robert Spears-once the highly regarded president of the Texas Naturopathic Association. Father of two small children with a lovely, society-minded wife and an elegant home in an exclusive neighborhood, it was a monumental tragedy for his family as it was for all the souls lost that day.Less than two months later, Robert Spears miraculously "rose from the dead" in Phoenix where he was promptly arrested. Headlining newspapers nationwide-"Man Downs Airliner to Fake Death"-Spears was discovered to have cleverly switched identities and persuaded a friend, Al Taylor, to fly with his plane ticket. Asking him to carry "a package" on board, Spears drove away in his buddy's car with his wallet and driver's license.
As the FBI began to investigate, they uncovered a stunning, mind-bending tale of murder, abortion rings, and false identities, as well as insurance scams and medical fraud that stretched over decades. Methodically and carefully researched through FBI records,
Vanishing Act fully tells the complete and shocking story of con man Robert Spears for the first time.
List of contents
A Note from the Author
Chapter 1: One Spectacular Flying Leap
Chapter 2: A God-Given Do-Over
Chapter 3: Casseroles and Comfort
Chapter 4: Sunshine Is Straight Ahead
Chapter 5: That Hinky Feeling
Chapter 6: Two Men on the Move
Chapter 7: The Unholy Trinity
Chapter 8: Under the Table and in the Shadows
Chapter 9: Ticket to Paradise
Chapter 10: A Fast-Talking, Slick Attorney
Chapter 11: Hypnotism and Strange Sightings
Chapter 12: Transformed into the Perfect Image
Chapter 13: A Series of Seismic Shocks
Chapter 14: Exploits, Perils, and Pitfalls
Chapter 15: The Case of the Violet Paste
Chapter 16: The Calm and the Storm
Chapter 17: Lighting the Fuse, Running Like Hell
Chapter 18: Plastic Palm Trees and Peril
Chapter 19: The Look of a Worthy Adversary
Chapter 20: From Out of the Sea!
Chapter 21: Zombies and Aliens
Chapter 22: The Story of a Strange Love
Chapter 23: Heroes in the Spotlight
Chapter 24: A Burning, Searing Secret
Chapter 25: A Side Trip to the House of Love
Chapter 26: Twists, Turns, and Accusations
Chapter 27: The Rock and the Role
Chapter 28: A Book and Movie Deal
Chapter 29: A Broadcast and a Bestseller
Chapter 30: Laughing All the Way
Chapter 31: In the Aftermath
Appendix A: Robert Spears' Alcatraz Case Summary
Appendix B: Civil Aeronautics Board Aircraft Accident Report: Case 1-0071
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
About the author
Jerry Jamison has been an award-winning advertising copywriter for more than forty years, with more than thirty national writing commendations. During his career he has authored more than two-dozen fiction novels, biographies, true crime books and mysteries. Jamison graduated from Westmont College with a degree in Sociology and currently lives with his wife in Chula Vista, California.
