Hi All--
My apologies if a similar thread already exists. I was reading the Crystal Spencer threads after watching that segment on Amazon, and thinking about how if boyfriend Anton Kline was indeed involved (as some have posited), it would be super-creepy to have one of the key interviewees in the segment actually be the killer. I had a similar thought reading a Steve Sandlin thread on here; some thought David Carson knew more than he let on about the murder, or may have even killed Sandlin himself. The biggest example of this I've come across so far was the Kevin Hughes episode, where UM interviewed Chuck Dixon...and it turned out Dixon had had Kevin killed. There is something extremely unsettling about that. So my question is this: are there any other Unsolved Mysteries segments where an update later revealed that the person responsible for the crime was actually someone who appeared on camera in the segment?

Cheers,
Matt

There were several UM interviewees who are probably killers (Mark Nichols, Jule Caylor, Paul Pollis, etc.), but have never officially been charged with the crime. But here are some of the interviewees who actually faced legal trouble...

-Larry Gibson and Bob Hall went to prison for the crimes they were accused for, but always maintained their innocence and got off with pretty light sentences

-while Stephen Marfeo was never officially charged with his wife's murder, we do know he did go on to murder another woman before killing himself

-Ida Pruitt and Chad Noe were most likely involved in the Wendy Camp murders, but the only person who was actually charged (Beverly Noe) was not actually interviewed

-interestingly enough, Bonnie Haim was one of the few spousal disappearances which was solved and the husband (Michael Haim) charged with murder, but he never appeared on camera

Very interesting. Thanks, Robin!

Cheers,
Matt

I'm completely lost for names, but what about the story of the Woman whose skull was placed in the garden bed of a Mexican Restaurant? the main suspect - her husband (ex-husband?) was interviewed during the segment.

I'm completely lost for names, but what about the story of the Woman whose skull was placed in the garden bed of a Mexican Restaurant? the main suspect - her husband (ex-husband?) was interviewed during the segment.

That was Linda Sherman. Her husband, Don, was the prime suspect, but he's never been charged. I used to be so certain he was guilty, but I'm honestly not too sure about this one any more.

All of the people in the Wendy Camp in-law mess that were on camera made my skin crawl when that episode first aired.

Those people killed an innocent child because they didn't like Wendy. May they all find justice somehow. Sick group of people...ugh!

-Jeffrey MacDonald
-Stephen Marfeo
-Tommy Zeigler
-Stuart Heaton
-Thomas Drake
-Darlie Routier
-Steve Page
-Stephen Geri
-Larry Gibson
-Larry Race
-KROQ DJ's

Jerry Strickland

Robert Bonderson-- committed suicide in Montana before cold-case investigators could question him about Kathy's death... While his current wife stated he left a note proclaiming his innocence in Kathy's death, it ALWAYS makes you wonder.

Wow! Thanks for all the info, guys.

Cheers,
Matt

Is Kevin Hughes on Amazon?

Can't believe the thread has gotten this long without someone ragging on Tim McClure. That should have been the first response to the original question.

Can't believe the thread has gotten this long without someone ragging on Tim McClure. That should have been the first response to the original question.

I really wanted to so bad, but then again when it comes to Tim McClure and this board --> :horse:

Robert Bonderson-- committed suicide in Montana before cold-case investigators could question him about Kathy's death... While his current wife stated he left a note proclaiming his innocence in Kathy's death, it ALWAYS makes you wonder.

I thought that was really interesting too. The update on Amazon basically makes it sound like Robert Bonderson was totally guilty. I guess I hadn't heard that before. As far as I'm concerned, this one is solved as I don't think there is much doubt about his guilt now.

"I'm not guilty at all, but I'm going to go ahead and kill myself anyway." Uhh... ok.

Gabriel "Caradoc" Carrillo

All hail mother of earth, and cats, man.

All of the people in the Wendy Camp in-law mess that were on camera made my skin crawl when that episode first aired.

Those people killed an innocent child because they didn't like Wendy. May they all find justice somehow. Sick group of people...ugh!

What kills me is how long they were able to get away with it. Or in the case of Chad, STILL getting away with it. (He may not have been the mastermind or did most of the dirty work but he knew a hell of a lot more than he claimed.)

Seeing Beverly's long overdue mugshot was cathartic but it really sucks that Ida died before she could be charged. I highly doubt we even scratched the surface of how evil that woman was. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if there are more bodies buried somewhere on her farm.

-Jeffrey MacDonald
-Stephen Marfeo
-Tommy Zeigler
-Stuart Heaton
-Thomas Drake
-Darlie Routier
-Steve Page
-Stephen Geri
-Larry Gibson
-Larry Race
-KROQ DJ's

Ever since I saw the Unsolved Mysteries case of Jeffrey Macdonald, I felt he had been completely railroaded. It baffles me that that man is still in jail now. Helena Stoeckley has admitted many times (once being on her death bed) to tripping on acid and owning a blonde wig and white floppy hat. She has admitted to being in the MacDonald house the evening of the murders. This poor man has suffered his entire life.

Ever since I saw the Unsolved Mysteries case of Jeffrey Macdonald, I felt he had been completely railroaded. It baffles me that that man is still in jail now. Helena Stoeckley has admitted many times (once being on her death bed) to tripping on acid and owning a blonde wig and white floppy hat. She has admitted to being in the MacDonald house the evening of the murders. This poor man has suffered his entire life.

I always wondered if Jeffrey Macdonald looked like the Nutty Professor would he still have this many females thinking he's innocent?

Can't believe the thread has gotten this long without someone ragging on Tim McClure. That should have been the first response to the original question.

Also Paul Pollis and Mark Nichols. But, the OP did ask for situations where an update later confirmed that the guilty party was someone interviewed. In the cases of McClure, Pollis, and Nichols, no one was ever found guilty of the crimes.

Robert Bonderson-- committed suicide in Montana before cold-case investigators could question him about Kathy's death... While his current wife stated he left a note proclaiming his innocence in Kathy's death, it ALWAYS makes you wonder.

This is the one "solved" UM case where I really want to know more details. Robert wasn't interviewed and was a complete non-factor in the UM segment, so I'd love to know what his motive might have been and what evidence pointed to him as the culprit. I can only imagine Robert briefing a sigh of relief when that incompetent sheriff ruled his wife's death to be an accident, only to shake his head in frustration when that highway patrolman stepped in and tried to turn it into a murder investigation.

Also Paul Pollis and Mark Nichols. But, the OP did ask for situations where an update later confirmed that the guilty party was someone interviewed. In the cases of McClure, Pollis, and Nichols, no one was ever found guilty of the crimes.

Same with Monika Rizzo's husband. :eek:

I always wondered if Jeffrey Macdonald looked like the Nutty Professor would he still have this many females thinking he's innocent?

I don't know how it breaks down in terms of gender and believing in MacDonald's innocence. I know that simpletons believe in his guilt. There is no other word and it's laughable that those simpletons actually take the aggressive stance when this case is discussed.

And it's the reason I am not impressed with people who obsessively devour every detail of a case and try to link this to that, conclusions galore. That is grunt work and if you feel you have to take it to that extreme you are a huge favorite to be a limited individual and misinterpret one variable after another, not only the direction but the weight.

I don't know how it breaks down in terms of gender and believing in MacDonald's innocence. I know that simpletons believe in his guilt. There is no other word and it's laughable that those simpletons actually take the aggressive stance when this case is discussed.

And it's the reason I am not impressed with people who obsessively devour every detail of a case and try to link this to that, conclusions galore. That is grunt work and if you feel you have to take it to that extreme you are a huge favorite to be a limited individual and misinterpret one variable after another, not only the direction but the weight.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I believe you're a little brain damaged, so I'll be a little nicer to you than others.

I don't know how it breaks down in terms of gender and believing in MacDonald's innocence.

Because he's attractive. Are you that dense? He's attractive, charming, and sympathetic, women are more than likely to believe him because of his looks, and charm. You can't be this dumb, so I'll just make an excuse that you're hungover.

I know that simpletons believe in his guilt. There is no other word and it's laughable that those simpletons actually take the aggressive stance when this case is discussed.

Yes, Awsi Booger, simple people believe that a man who's family was brutally slain, but he received one puncture wound is guilty. Simple people don't believe that a crazed hippie cult on LSD who is exactly like Manson's group only killed his wife, and daughters and no one else, no other families, not even Jeffrey, what a coincidence for him.

Simple people also laugh at the fact that he had a magazine about the Manson killings on his coffee table, and us simple people believe that it's a fat coincidence that a very similar cult came into his house and brutally murdered his family. What would have been their motive anyway? If they we're a brutal killing cult, why stop at one family?

Go back to bed Awsi Booger, you're drunk.

I can only imagine Robert briefing a sigh of relief when that incompetent sheriff ruled his wife's death to be an accident, only to shake his head in frustration when that highway patrolman stepped in and tried to turn it into a murder investigation.

You have to hand it to the highway patrolman for his tenacity. I'm sure he's the reason this case was solved. Sheriff Allmaras was such an obstinate fool, but he wasn't going to let Allmaras stonewall him.

This is the one "solved" UM case where I really want to know more details. Robert wasn't interviewed and was a complete non-factor in the UM segment, so I'd love to know what his motive might have been and what evidence pointed to him as the culprit. I can only imagine Robert briefing a sigh of relief when that incompetent sheriff ruled his wife's death to be an accident, only to shake his head in frustration when that highway patrolman stepped in and tried to turn it into a murder investigation.

You and me both.

I totally agree about the frustration he must have felt when the highway patrolman jumped in. But good for him for doing so!

The suicide factor in this case is really frustrating because both sides can argue the suicide to their advantage-- Pro-guilt folks will say he did it because he knew he was about to get caught. Anti-guilt folks will say the prolonged investigation drove him to it.

Dang. Why can't some folks leave a note?

You and me both.

I totally agree about the frustration he must have felt when the highway patrolman jumped in. But good for him for doing so!

The suicide factor in this case is really frustrating because both sides can argue the suicide to their advantage-- Pro-guilt folks will say he did it because he knew he was about to get caught. Anti-guilt folks will say the prolonged investigation drove him to it.

Dang. Why can't some folks leave a note?

I found this article about how they closed the case:
http://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/cold-case-investigators-solve-first-case/article_dbdc8513-e972-56a2-8a2a-766c311b71f7.html

It seems that Robert probably killed Kathy at their home, probably during an argument. However, it may have been premeditated because he had started dating another woman several months before Kathy's death, and he took out a life insurance policy for Kathy in August (she was killed in October).

Also, their son Jamie (who snuck out of the house that night) apparently did see his father driving the car that Kathy would later be found dead in:

Jamie Bonderson reported seeing his father driving the family's 1974 Ford Torino north of the family home. Maixner said Jamie's girlfriend, who was with him, remembered him saying "There's my dad," and even wrote about it in her diary. He did not see anyone else when he returned home.

Maixner said it is now believes that Kathryn Bonderson was dead on the passenger side floor when Jamie Bonderson saw Robert Bonderson driving. The investigators said they do not know the exact cause of death.


This goes against what was re-enacted in the segment, however, because in the segment it states that Jamie was unable to see who was driving his mother's car.

How was this guy not the number one suspect from the beginning? The conveniently timed life insurance, the new girlfriend, the SIGHTING OF HIM LEAVING TOWN just hours before Kathy's car was found?

Kathy called off work, (which apparently was something she NEVER did), to look for her son who snuck out of the house. I guess that's when the argument with Robert possibly started and she was killed then. And that sounds even more disturbing if the Bondersons other son, Jason, was home at the time.

This guy got off waaaaay too easy for too long, all because the sheriff believed Kathy somehow lost the ability to drive straight and killed herself by swerving over some railroad tracks.

Wow, now I'm wondering if Sheriff Allmaras had some sort of vested interest in covering for Robert or if he was just that terrible at his job. It sounds like UM must have had to tread lightly while making this segment in order to avoid pointing any fingers at Robert.

I looked through this thread and nobody mentioned Judy Groezinger yet. I've always believed her to be the guilty party.

Totally agree on Judy Groezinger.
Given the evidence in the MacDonald case, there is absolutely reasonable doubt as to his guilt. The segment even mentioned that investigators reopened the case largely because their feelings were hurt when MacDonald went on the Dick Cavett show. Am I saying he is innocent? No, but it's not as clear-cut as many have wanted it to be over the years.
Probably should prepare to be insulted now (BTW I am a straight white male, which should have nothing to do with my opinion) ...

Wow, now I'm wondering if Sheriff Allmaras had some sort of vested interest in covering for Robert or if he was just that terrible at his job. It sounds like UM must have had to tread lightly while making this segment in order to avoid pointing any fingers at Robert.

His vested interest was trying not to look like a fool. He failed at that

A lot of interesting comments! Thank you all. However, in the interest of staying on topic, I was referring to people interviewed who were later actually convicted for the crimes in a court of law--not "I'm positive this guy did it" scenarios that are still officially unsolved.

Thanks,
Matt

Oddly, one interviewee who did go to prison was featured in a segment not related to a criminal case. Dr. Melvin Morse, the doctor from UM's near-death experiences segment, was convicted of felony child endangerment several years later.

Oddly, one interviewee who did go to prison was featured in a segment not related to a criminal case. Dr. Melvin Morse, the doctor from UM's near-death experiences segment, was convicted of felony child endangerment several years later.

In a similar vein, I'll add Tina Resch

Thanks, guys!

Cheers,
Matt