Hi Everyone,
I am seeking information about the case involving a polygamist pilot who supposedly went on the run in 1986. Was there ever any update about him? I forgot his name, but I think he worked for United Airlines, and picked up different wives along his routes. He was later fired from the airlines. He had convinced each of his wives that they were the only woman in his life, and none of the wives knew of the others. All of the wives were of color (Latina, Asian), and many, as Karl Malden said, had come from male dominated backgrounds. Thanks for any information you might have!

FYI, I had the opportunity to see REALLY old school UM clips the other night, when Karl Malden and Raymond Burr were the hosts. A real treat, for I never even knew they existed! I only started watching UM in the early 90's, when I was in 5th grade. How long were they the hosts on UM? Also, did UM debut in 1985 or 1987?

Hi Everyone,
I am seeking information about the case involving a polygamist pilot who supposedly went on the run in 1986. Was there ever any update about him? I forgot his name, but I think he worked for United Airlines, and picked up different wives along his routes. He was later fired from the airlines. He had convinced each of his wives that they were the only woman in his life, and none of the wives knew of the others. All of the wives were of color (Latina, Asian), and many, as Karl Malden said, had come from male dominated backgrounds. Thanks for any information you might have!

That was Jack Lutter. I believe Crystaldawn contacted the Sheriff's Office in King County (where the bigamy warrant was issued out of) and they confirmed that Lutter was arrested at LAX in November 2000. However, he was released and the charges dropped when none of his victims could be located or refused to testify. For some reason, the official Unsolved Mysteries website says that Lutter was convicted of bigamy and given probation but violated it and is on the run again. This information is not correct, as the charges against him were dropped in early 2001.


FYI, I had the opportunity to see REALLY old school UM clips the other night, when Karl Malden and Raymond Burr were the hosts. A real treat, for I never even knew they existed! I only started watching UM in the early 90's, when I was in 5th grade. How long were they the hosts on UM? Also, did UM debut in 1985 or 1987?

Unsolved Mysteries began in early 1987 as a series of 7 "NBC Special Presentations" before it became a weekly series. There were 7 of these specials made and they aired throughout 1987 and 1988 until NBC began the weekly show on October 5, 1988.

The first special was hosted by Raymond Burr. Specials two and three were hosted by Karl Malden. Specials 4 through 7 were hosted by Robert Stack. Naturally, Stack was asked to host the weekly series.

To the best of my knowledge, the earliest specials hosted by Burr and Malden were NOT syndicated on Lifetime and never shown on Lifetime at all. Lifetime has shown the first special that Robert Stack hosted (special 4) as well as heavily edited versions of some of the other specials hosted by Stack.

In late 2004, I received VHS copies of the first three (Burr/Malden) specials from a person who recorded them off NBC in 1987. I traded these tapes to other people who traded them to others and so on. Whenever segments of these special surface on various sites, I recognize them as being sourced from my own recordings from back in 2004.

For some reason, the official Unsolved Mysteries website says that Lutter was convicted of bigamy and given probation but violated it and is on the run again. This information is not correct, as the charges against him were dropped in early 2001.


Could it be that maybe there were charges from later, in another jurisdiction? I don't really remember much about this case, but is it possible there was/were other victim(s), from somewhere else, and THEY are the ones who pressed new charges?

Could it be that maybe there were charges from later, in another jurisdiction? I don't really remember much about this case, but is it possible there was/were other victim(s), from somewhere else, and THEY are the ones who pressed new charges?

Here is what the website says...

http://www.unsolved.com/ajaxfiles/wan_john_lutter.htm

Update:

Jack Lutter was finally captured after he was spotted at Los Angeles International Airport. He was taken to Seattle and convicted of bigamy. He served his sentence of 90 days and was released on probation. But he violated his probation by disappearing once again. A warrant for the arrest of Jack Lutter has been issued by a Seattle court.

Hi Justin,
Thanks as always for the info, both about Jack Lutter and the original broadcasts of UM. I will check out your links. There are many interesting cases on episodes hosted by Karl Malden and Raymond burr, that i never knew before (especially the Pat Mealbach story!). I hope to see more of them. It is the only source I know of where I can see UM reruns, since I haven't seen them on Spike in a very long time.

Also, does anyone know if UM is going to come back to Spike any time soon? Or is it back on already? I haven't watched the Spike channel in the longest time

Hi Justin,
Thanks as always for the info, both about Jack Lutter and the original broadcasts of UM. I will check out your links. There are many interesting cases on episodes hosted by Karl Malden and Raymond burr, that i never knew before (especially the Pat Mealbach story!). I hope to see more of them.

I really enjoy those early specials and find myself revisiting them often. The production is excellent and the specials encompass everything that is cool about UM. I would recommend to anyone that has even a remote interest to watch these early specials, or the segments from them, to see how it all began. I will say they also made me appreciate Stack even more as a host and provided some cool insight into some of the decision making process that goes into casting. I think it's pretty obvious that Stack was the right man for the job. Not to undermine what Burr and Malden did, as I liked them too, I just think Stack IS Unsolved Mysteries.

Yes the Pre-Stack Specials are among my favorite UM episodes! I find Jack Lutter's case so fascinating! I would LOVE to read a book about him. I wish someone would write one, lol.

Btw JS thanks for the info yesterday....I was shocked as well!! :eek:

Yes the Pre-Stack Specials are among my favorite UM episodes! I find Jack Lutter's case so fascinating! I would LOVE to read a book about him. I wish someone would write one, lol.

Btw JS thanks for the info yesterday....I was shocked as well!! :eek:

Did you ever see the film "Frequent Flyer"? I remember we talked about it. I had wanted to see it for some time, but you pretty much talked me out of seeing it since it is only loosely based on Lutter's life. However, I can't recall if your knowledge of the film was based on your having seen it, or the wiki article. (For those who don't know, "Frequent Flyer" is a made-for-TV film loosely based on Jack Lutter's story).

I always wondered if Lutter continued this behavior. It doesn't seem like much would stop him from repeating these patterns again.

No prob on the info. You know I'm always "on the hunt", as it were. :wave:

Did you ever see the film "Frequent Flyer"? I remember we talked about it. I had wanted to see it for some time, but you pretty much talked me out of seeing it since it is only loosely based on Lutter's life. However, I can't recall if your knowledge of the film was based on your having seen it, or the wiki article. (For those who don't know, "Frequent Flyer" is a made-for-TV film loosely based on Jack Lutter's story).

No prob on the info. You know I'm always "on the hunt", as it were. :wave:

No I talked myself out of watching it as well, lol! I read that it was loosely based on his story and wasn't going to buy it just to watch another one of those 'to coin your phrase' "Lametime" movies...:lol: If it came on tv I would probably check it out just to see if there many similarities. Hey I nominate Justin to write the Jack Lutter book. I knew you could do it and those of us on the board would definitely buy a copy. :D

Yes leave it to you to find out that info...:lol:

No I talked myself out of watching it as well, lol! I read that it was loosely based on his story and wasn't going to buy it just to watch another one of those 'to coin your phrase' "Lametime" movies...:lol: If it came on tv I would probably check it out just to see if there many similarities. Hey I nominate Justin to write the Jack Lutter book. I knew you could do it and those of us on the board would definitely buy a copy. :D

Yes leave it to you to find out that info...:lol:

Well, I don't know about a book. I wouldn't mind talking to the guy for an hour or two though. I'm sure I could use some pointers on the fairer sex :lol:

I'm sure I could use some pointers on the fairer sex :lol:

You need pointers...never! :lol: Well remember he's only experienced with women from "male dominated cultures" not us caucasians, lol!